[DennisV]

Dear all,

I am curious to find out whether there is a logic with the serial numbering of the different P99 models.
I have noticed that some start with BAAxxx (P99TA),GAAxxx (eg P99D, P99Q), P99s with serial numbers without letter prefixes, some starting with FAAxx, And I remember even seeing DAAxxx.

Any info regarding the way the P99 models are serial numbers are appreciated.

Thanks Dennis

 

[balance]

All I know is that what we on this forum call the 1st generation pistols, all had numbers only as the serial number for the pistol. It wasn't until the later generation that they introduced letters, I imagine to make it difficult for anyone outside of Walther to know how many pistols were actually made, and what the next serial number would be.

 

[5Wire]

It could be they both Letters and Digits to enumerate. If they use Base 36 (10 digits 0–9 and 26 letters A–Z) my P99 Serial number WK024113 would have a decimal (Base 10) equivalent of 2551192444983.

If they use Base 34 (eliminating the letters O and I to avoid visual confusion) the same serial number would have a base 10 equivalent of 1711646124009.

Eight digits instead of thirteen in either case. Higher absolute range of enumeration. smaller stamping equipment. Less space taken for stamping. Longer runs before changing leading digits (fewer stoppages).

Same principle as states using letters and numbers on license plates.

Just a thought.

 

[imaoldfart]

I only have 'one' P99. So I'll just provide a list of the prefixes on some of my Q's, 1 P99 and 3 P99C's. I'm not seeing a correlation. Also, I believe the 4 digits are simply that....base 10, 0001 thru 9999.

P99C
FCF – 9MM
FAH – 9MM
FAE – 9MM

P99
FBC – 9MM

PPQ
FAR – 9MM – M1 – 4”
FAZ – 9MM – M1 – 4”
FAK – 9MM – M1 – 4” (this was my first Q)
FCA – 9MM – M1 – 4”
FBA – 9MM – M2 – 5”
FBB – 9MM – M2 – 5”
FCF – 9MM – M2 – 5”
FCD – 9MM – M2 – 5” – Match
FCQ – 9MM – M2 – 5” – Match
FAK – 40 S&W – M1 – 4”
FAL – 40 S&W – M1 – 4”
FAJ – 40 S&W – M1 – 4”
FAZ – 40 S&W – M2 – 5”
FCA – 45 – M2
FCC – 45 – M2

 

[christak]

I have a P99c in 9mm with an FBA serial number.

 

[DennisV]

thanks for posting. Do you perhaps see a correlation with the production dates of the gun?

Is it an idea to start a study and map the serial number prefix letters with the model and production date? I wouldn't mind to collect the data and compile it into one big database. However, we do need a lot of reports to be able to draw correlations and conclusions from such a database.

I only have two P99 in my collection and therefore I can't contribute much to the database:

serial number GAAxxx, Model P99Q from 2013
No prefix letters, Model P99 from 2003

Regards,
Dennis

I only have 'one' P99. So I'll just provide a list of the prefixes on some of my Q's, 1 P99 and 3 P99C's. I'm not seeing a correlation. Also, I believe the 4 digits are simply that....base 10, 0001 thru 9999.

P99C
FCF — 9MM
FAH — 9MM
FAE — 9MM

P99
FBC — 9MM

PPQ
FAR — 9MM — M1 — 4”
FAZ — 9MM — M1 — 4”
FAK — 9MM — M1 — 4” (this was my first Q)
FCA — 9MM — M1 — 4”
FBA — 9MM — M2 — 5”
FBB — 9MM — M2 — 5”
FCF — 9MM — M2 — 5”
FCD — 9MM — M2 — 5” — Match
FCQ — 9MM — M2 — 5” — Match
FAK — 40 S&W — M1 — 4”
FAL — 40 S&W — M1 — 4”
FAJ — 40 S&W — M1 — 4”
FAZ — 40 S&W — M2 — 5”
FCA — 45 — M2
FCC — 45 — M2

 

[olstyn]

P99c, AK date code (2009 production, acquired 2010), FAH serial prefix, 9mm
P99, don't remember date code, don't have time to dig it out of the safe right now, FBC serial prefix, 9mm (acquired in 2016, so *probably* 2015 production/BF date code, given Walther's importing habits)

 

[imaoldfart]

thanks for posting. Do you perhaps see a correlation with the production dates of the gun?

Is it an idea to start a study and map the serial number prefix letters with the model and production date? I wouldn't mind to collect the data and compile it into one big database. However, we do need a lot of reports to be able to draw correlations and conclusions from such a database.

I only have two P99 in my collection and therefore I can't contribute much to the database:

serial number GAAxxx, Model P99Q from 2013
No prefix letters, Model P99 from 2003

Regards,
Dennis

Yep Dennis, I believe the answer, if there is one, is in the three letter prefix....not the 4 digit number.

It would be interesting to gather this data.

 

[5Wire]

FAH (2009) P99AS 9mm

FAI (2010) P99AS 9mm

FAY (2014) P99C 9mm

 

[23738]

serial number GAAxxx, Model P99Q from 2013
No prefix letters, Model P99 from 2003

You're the guy with the P99Q?

Awhile back, someone was saying something that nobody stateside owned one, but I remembered that someone here had one...

As for my P99c:
BA FAI2396 .40 QA
AK FAH6598 9mm AS



PPQ
BB FAK5255 9mm

BB FAJ5583 .40



IAOF, the pic you posted the other day of your daughter's P99c...going by the last 4 of the serial, there's possibly only 10 between hers and mine.

 

[DennisV]

You're the guy with the P99Q?

Awhile back, someone was saying something that nobody stateside owned one, but I remembered that someone here had one...

I am probably not that guy as I never mentioned before on this forum that I have a Q. Furthermore, I am not residing in the US ...

Thanks for reporting your prefix letters

 

[23738]

Well, anyhow, it's nice to hear you have a P99Q. They're interesting pistols and I'd love to have one alongside my PPQ.