Use of .22 Walthers by intelligence services

[mike9905]

I feel well informed that the CIA issued PPK/S .22 pistols and that West German Intelligence issued PP's in .22LR. Does anyone disagree or know otherwise? I think it's pretty well known that Interarms was a CIA front.

[Milspec]

I heard they carried Star SS .380's...sanitized to hide the manufacture date...

[Glenn-SC]

Originally Posted by mike9905

I think it's pretty well known that Interarms was a CIA front.

Fascinating!
Were is this documented?

[prm]

I think it's pretty well known that Interarms was a CIA front.

The CIA was importing and selling guns to US citizens??? Wow, the original Fast and Furious.

I've read that Interarm's founder (Samuel Cummings) had at some point in his life, a connection to the intelligence service. I have real doubts as to the company (Interarms) being a front? I would like to know more if that's the case. It would kind of make all these PPKs members own a lot more "Bondish." Maybe even connect the Interarms Virginian Dragoon to "Cowboys and Aliens."

[autonut]

If I can go back and find it....I did read something concerning the history of the TPH in which "some" were imported for CIA, FBI and even the Navy Seals. I have told the story in another thread of one reported FBI agent that would wear one even in his swim-suit stuffed in a condom. (Multitasking I suppose).

Don't take my word for any of this....I just tell what I read. The TPH could not be legally imported into the USA after the GCA of 1968, but since they could be produced here....Interarms picked-up the production of those as well around 1986-87. In any event....I actually allow some credence to the story that some were allowed in for government use, but don't bring my name up as a reference to the FBI agent wearing a TPH stuffed in his speedo.

[SARGE7402]

Au Contraire. At one time - probably into the mid 70's or early 80's - guns banned by GCA 68 were importable for sales to Police Agencies (or individual officers) . This was also true after the 10 round magazine ban went into effect. As a police officer I was able to purchase the High Capacity mags but once I left poice work I had to leave them with the agency I worked for.

Skeeter Skelton once wrote about such matters but into my 7th decade, my emory isn't as good as it once was. (Ok so it was never too good in the first place)

[UniversalExports]

Sam Cummings did indeed sell guns in a front operation for the CIA (he actually worked of the OSS, the CIA's predecessor, during WWII). He began by buying up surplus weapons post war and getting them into the hands of "friendly" (aka, anti-communist) regimes. As a sideline, he also imported weaponry into the U.S. for sale to the general populace. It was from that operation that Interarms eventually sprang.

I researched all this because Sam Cummings formed the basis for the father of a character in one of my novels.

[UniversalExports]

Indeed, Sam Cummings once famously bragged that the only people to whom he never sold weapons were Idi Amin and Colonel Muammar Gadhafi. I also used a version of that quote in my book.

Here's one article you might find interesting: Arms Dealer Cummings in Public Spotlight

[Glenn-SC]

Originally Posted by UniversalExports

Sam Cummings did indeed sell guns in a front operation for the CIA (he actually worked of the OSS, the CIA's predecessor, during WWII). He began by buying up surplus weapons post war and getting them into the hands of "friendly" (aka, anti-communist) regimes. As a sideline, he also imported weaponry into the U.S. for sale to the general populace. It was from that operation that Interarms eventually sprang.

Not to be confrontational, but isn't a bit of a leap to go from "sold guns in a front operation for the OSS" after WWII to "Interarms is a CIA front company"?

[153]

I have read (long time ago) that the Mossad used .22 pistols, with silencers for assassinations. It was my understanding they used the Beretta Model 70.

Sam Cummings may have done the bidding of the US Gov't by selling arms to the right people, but Interarms was too well run to have been a Gov't operation.