Rusty RZM PPK

[rbrooks45]

Just got my latest addition to my Walther collection, a RZM marked PPK. Its’ serial number is in the 800k range and has the serial number stamped under the muzzle. I had picked it up on EGun for 160 euro ($212) but it looks like the previous owner stored it in salt water. There is some major pitting and unfortunately it hit the RMZ mark . I am debating if I should have it restored or just be happy with it as is. One question it has black grips, is that correct or should they be brown?

Photos to follow in a few hours when I get home from work

[Tepo911]

You have an extremely rare gun if the muzzle numbers are authentic. (No reason to believe that they are not at this point). It was issued by the SS/RSHA and your serial number should be between 839 XXX and 841 XXX.

I would recommend that you do not restore/refinish the gun as this would diminish collector value. (By all means remove the rust if possible without removing any remaining finish.)

There are only 37 of the RZM Muzzle Marked variation known to exist.

The grips should be marbeled brown. The black grips were not utilized until late war.

Photos please.

[rob6868]

what are the gun laws like?are they deactivated ?seen the ppk your talking abought just did not see the numbers under .muzzle . how would it work if here in the u.s wanted to buy from germany?.cant wait to see..from what i seen just spots here and there maybe get something to put on so it cant rust anymore..mine is holster worn yours has more of pitting just in a few areas.still a great gun! steve and one other rzm ppk is realy in super condition as thats rare in its self as these are very early and used a lot ..well,mine was for sure as a long time collector seen mine inperson and said the wear on the side were it goes into holster was just that from going in and out..the rest is do to the vet leaveing the gun in holster from 45 until a few moths ago..

[rbrooks45]

Here are the pics, they are depressing though, too much rust. I just re-read the auction description and the gent said that the grips were new/Ulm grips. Strangely he didn't show the muzzle in his auction. The gun is rough but I would have paid the same price for a regular WWII PPK.

Here's a link to the auction:

eGun

[rbrooks45]

Originally Posted by rob6868

what are the gun laws like?are they deactivated ?seen the ppk your talking abought just did not see the numbers under .muzzle . how would it work if here in the u.s wanted to buy from germany?.cant wait to see..

The gun laws here are a bit different than back home. You have to have a reason to own a weapon here. The 3 big ones are collector, hunter, or sport shooter, hunter being the easiest / quickest in my opinion. To get a hunting license you need to take an expensive class, pass a test, and pay about $500 for a three year license. With this license you are allowed 2 handguns and as many rifles as you can buy until they call BS. Once you let your hunting license expire you have to sell your guns. The sport shooter has to be a member of a shooting club for over 1 year and you can only buy the weapon that fits your discipline. i.e. you can't buy a 45 if your disciple is Olympic trap. Same deal with this license if your quite sport shooting / the club then you can be forced to sell your guns.

The best license is the collectors, but it is also the most expensive, mine costing me all total about 1200 euro ($1550). To get this license you have to submit a collection "plan" detailing what you are planning to collect and how this collection is historically significant. This is usually accomplished by paying a recognized expert to write it for you. This license has some advantages in that if it's on the list I can buy it with no wait or additional paper work other than having it recorded in my log at the city hall. the down side is if it is not on your list you can't have it. I am allowed WWII 45's but can't have a 1900 smooth bore, single shot 22. The thing that gets me is, by my license I can buy a pre WWII pp/ppk but not a post war Ulm pp/ppk.

If you wanted to get a gun over here in Germany it would be painful and expensive. You would need an exporter to get it out of Germany and an importer to get it in the US and remember the ATF doesn't like PPK's so they can't be imported at all anymore.

[rob6868]

thanks so much for all the info on the gun laws !! the gun looks great to me but wait til steve or tom one of the guys that realy know these rare guns!they gave me a thumbs up on mine your looks ok to me..my eyes are bad and dont want to jump to anything..for the price no mater you realy scored!!!thanks for sharing it..

[Tepo911]

RBrooks,
Your gun looks like a good SS Issue PPK. I see several details which look right but it is hard to be sure with the white gunk in the muzzle numbers. It would be nice to see a closeup photo with the white removed. A toothpick, a little oil and a toothbrush would make short work of it. It would then look like this. Unfortunate about the rust and pitting.

[rbrooks45]

Man... and I just put that white gunk on too. I'll take it off in the morning and post another pic.

[Tepo911]

Sorry for the inconvenience

[rob6868]

its realy not that bad !! you still have a very rare ppk ! get some original grips and dont shoot it just display it as it would be hard to replace .again i was very excited when i found out what i had.do not re-blue it but ask someone you just dont want it to eat away.thanks for sharing it as its a very rare ppk ..!someone with more experiance can tell you probably leave as is ..