I did once, regarding a very nice Model 9 I picked up a few years back. I received a charming reply back within two or three days from a fellow who indicated that because all of Walther's records were destroyed at the end of WWII, the company's ability to help me in my quest was severely hampered, try as they might. It was a couple of sentences at most, nicely phrased, no doubt honed over time.

 

My serial # ends with "AL", does that mean it was made in ?

 

Walter PP manufacture date and location ?????????

Hello All,
I've just joined the site and have been searching to find the manufacture date and location for my newly acquired Walther PP. I've done some reading and it seems the one I have falls through the cracks (as far as I can see). It's a 7.65 Cal. and the serial # is 4511XX with no letter before or after the SN. There is also the proof stamp of the new eagle over N on the frame and the slide, accompanies with the antler proof on the frame. and help with this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Ed

 

Hi, Ed; welcome to the forum. We trust that you'll enjoy your time here.

Your serial number falls under the PP model .32 caliber pistols made by the Manurhin firm in France between January 1961 (300301) and September of 1985 (474866). It's difficult to extrapolate an exact date because production wasn't consistent from year to year (although it's safe to say that yours was made closer to the end of the production run than it was toward the beginning); the French also were secretive about providing specific information about the guns they made at the plant.

All Model PP pistols made before serial number 700001 and all Model PPK pistols made before serial number 800001 were made at the Manurhin plant, even if they carry the Carl Walther Waffenfabrik Ulm/Do legend on the slide. From 1952 to 1989, the Manurhin plant manufactured 1.2 million PP, PPK, and PPK/S pistols in .22, .32, and .380. A good resource is Dieter Marschall's "Walther Pistols Models 1 Through P99," available online from Ucross books in Los Alamos, New Mexico, for less than $20, last I checked.

Hope that is of some help. Any chance that you can post a photo?

 

Finally got better Pix

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af353/Blackmobile358/Walther PP/WPP004.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af353/Blackmobile358/Walther PP/WPP002.jpg

 

It's a little camera shy, I have to get better lighting.

I forgot to mention that it has an HK right before the antler, underneath the new eagle over N on the frame.

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af353/Blackmobile358/Walther PP/WaltherPP765Cal.jpg

 

That's a fine-looking pistol, and it appears to be in wonderful shape. Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

There's a lot of info in this thread that's for sure. My head is hurting. No kidding I've wanted to date/place my Walthers for a while. So both of these sn's say, would have been made in France (though they say Made in East Germany)? Or have I missed something in between? Not unusual for me.

PP .380 sn 31xxxA (6 digit number, barrel has 69/antlers/eagle over N)
PPK .380 sn 104xxxA (7 digit number, barrel has 64/antlers/eagle over N)

 

The short answer, in both cases, is yes. The range of serial numbers for the Manurhin-made PPs in .380 ACP is 12003A (May of 1954) to 78148A (November of 1985). For the PPK, the range is 100305A (June of 1955) to 266310A (October of 1985).

 

Many thanks for the information. Can't wait to get the History of... book you recommended in an earlier post. - jj

 

A lot of those battles were false fronts. Many folks who were arguing that German guns were superior most likely didn't realize that they were, in fact, praising the gunsmithing skills of the folks at Manurhin. I'm of the opinion that the French guns were every bit the equal of the German-made models -- not that it matters. But I also admit that Id rather have a Walther stamp on a slide than the Manurhin banner. Go figure.

 

still confused

Searcher,

I know you have gone over this several times, but I'm still a little confused. I have a PP that has all the West German Ulm/DO markings and the Eagle over the N on the barrel with the numbers 74 next to it followed by an antler. Caliber is 7.65mm. The only thing that confuses me now is the Serial #. It is: 4383XX (it has six numbers, but I didn't want to display my full serial #)

So, if I understand correctly because of my serial number my pistol was made in France. However, it has the eagle and antler on the barrel. So, what does that mean? Thanks for any help.

Scott

 

UH/Scott: No need to apologize -- it's been confusing for a long time now, and it will remain confusing well into the future, no doubt. This might help however ... spend a few minutes and take a prowl through the material in this thread:

http://www.waltherforums.com/showthread.php?t=10386

It nicely explains the relationship between Walther/Germany and Manurhin/France and the hoops that the two had to jump through after the war to skirt the laws of the day. It should help to bring your gun into a little clearer focus.

 

I recently traded a vintage Gibson Flying V guitar for some tools and a Walther PPK and have spent a couple hours browsing the net for information on the gun. Basically, I'd like some confirmation from someone smarter than I, on what it actually is.

The previous owner told me that it was an old PPK .380 and not being the avid collector, I assumed he was right. He gave me a few .380 auto rounds and I went home and tried to shoot it. The bullet gets stuck in the chamber. I dislodge it and notice that it's WAY too big for the barrel. So I look at it...it says "caliber 7,65 m/m" which piqued my interest and started this whole goose chase.

And here's what I've got: serial #938***, crown over top of "N" markings, a plastic (bakelite maybe?) grip in a brown/black swirl color, the barrel reads "Waffenbrik, Walther Zella-Mehlis (Thur)", "Walther's Patent Cal 7,65 m/m", "Mod PPK". There are no other markings except a "39" stamped on the inside of the grip when I removed it, on the side near the bottom where the magazine would go. The metal color is hard to describe but appears to be a mirror-finished black or really dark nickel.

I'll post some pics when I can get some decent lighting (it's night-time).

 

Looking far a little help please

I have two questions and this Forum seems like a likely resource. I have been looking to purchase a PPK/S Stainless from Interarms for a while so I have looked at several dozen weapons at different auctions / gun shows, etc.

My first question is: I recently saw a PPK/S that had a serial number stamped on the frame just aft of the trigger housing. However, this particular weapon did not have a serial number stamped just above the trigger housing on the slide like the others I have looked at. The rest of the normal Interarms - Virginia writing was in place on the slide. There were no other unusual or out of place markings on the weapon. Is this weapon just a later model or is there a fox in the hen house?

My second quesiton is one that the Forum has dealt with ad nauseum. It has to do with serial numbers and manufacturing. Yes, I know - please don't shoot me. The serial number under consideration is S054759. I have learned through research that the "S" is a prefix which indicates the weapon is stainless. However, I have not been able to locate any kind of legend which provides an indication of date of manufacture. There doesn't seem to be a date on the factory test target. Do the "stainless" weapons have their own serial numbering system? My general conclusion in my research is that someone at Walther was not very good at record keeping.

Thanks in advance for any consideration you might provide.
Dennis

 

I have two questions and this Forum seems like a likely resource. I have been looking to purchase a PPK/S Stainless from Interarms for a while so I have looked at several dozen weapons at different auctions / gun shows, etc.

My first question is: I recently saw a PPK/S that had a serial number stamped on the frame just aft of the trigger housing. However, this particular weapon did not have a serial number stamped just above the trigger housing on the slide like the others I have looked at. The rest of the normal Interarms - Virginia writing was in place on the slide. There were no other unusual or out of place markings on the weapon. Is this weapon just a later model or is there a fox in the hen house?

Welcome sir!

My Interarms SS PPK/S only has a S/N aft of the trigger. There is NO S/N anywhere on the slide (that I've ever seen). There is a fine, stylized "VA" stamped on the outside of the chamber, visible through the ejection port.

The S/N on mine is S0618xx and was purchased new, by me, in July, 1989. According to the manager of the gun shop where I bought it, they had just received it shortly before. You would think that the one you are asking about (S/N S054759) was manufactured somewhat earlier than that. However, if you go through this thread, it appears that some Interarms guns with lower serial numbers than mine, were possibly made several years later... Go figure:

http://waltherforums.com/showthread.php?t=10755

For instance (test target dates):

• S046930, .380 ACP, 03/09/95
• S094624, .380 ACP, 09/09/92

 

As has been noted, extrapolating born-on dates from serial numbers is a risky business at best because, among other vital reasons, it assumes that production was consitent from year to year -- and it was not.

The good news, of course, is that the Interarms guns are pretty doggone spiffy overall and carry the Walther banner well; you can't say that about all of the licensed copies that are out there.

Welcome to the forum, by the way.

 

Thank you for the welcome Kurt_D.
I have looked at a number of PPK/S lately and this is the first one I had ever seen without the serial number being stamped on the right-hand side of the slide. I certainly don't doubt your word nor what you have seen. I just know that I'm not a collector or a Walther expert so my only knowledge comes from what I've seen first hand. Much print has been devoted to trying to share some form of standardized information regarding the Walther serial number saga. I can safely say that it's about as nailed down as tearing open a feather pillow on a windy day. Thanks for taking a moment to respond to my questions.

Dennis

 

Thanks for the welcome Searcher451. I see your name plastered all over this Forum and you have provided quite a number of folks with information and guidance. Good for you. You are right about the difficulty with serial numbers. The more I attempt to research this topic on the web, the more convinced I become that the key to my solving this dilemma is to use a Ouija Board. Nice weapon – poor records keeping.
Dennis

 

Walther kept meticulous records ... but then the war got in the way. The company's record-keeping thereafter has been superb once more. It's too bad that the Interarms folks didn't keep and/or share their record; that would have solved a lot of the mystery ... and saved owners of their models from a bit of misery as well.

 

It seems like I have spent 1000 years scrolling through pages and pages of regurgitated "The Walther pp was made in 1929 blah blah blah", when all I was ever looking for regarding proof marks and such, seems to be in this post. GREAT!

 

Anyone can help me with Manurhin PP 22 serial 251xxLR?

 

searching for information

Hello everyone, great information here. I am hoping someone can help me out. I have an Interarms Walther chambered in .380 ACP. It has no proof stamped anywhere, and a \A stamped over the chamber. The serial # is 010XXX. It is also stamped made in the USA. Any information would be much appreciated.

 

Hello everyone, great information here. I am hoping someone can help me out. I have an Interarms Walther chambered in .380 ACP. It has no proof stamped anywhere, and a \A stamped over the chamber. The serial # is 010XXX. It is also stamped made in the USA. Any information would be much appreciated.

Welcome to the site.
Is it a PP / PPK / PPK/S Blued or SS?
A picture would really help.

 

I just joined this forum to find out just what this thread has to offer me on my PPK.

Well, I've sifted through this thread and I've come to this conclusion:

Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

A PPK with the marking on the barrel hood of 68 w/antler does in fact mean that it's "birth year" is 1968, regardless of the SN? (assuming barrel is original to the frame).

Thanks
-ppknut

 

Yes from my understanding that is the birth year of your weapon

 

bump for possible answers

 

Thanks. I appreciate your reply.

-ppknut

 

Another .22 PP Identification request

As you can see I'm new here. I also inherited a Walther PP in .22lr some time ago. It belonged to my sister's father in law and her husband got it when his father passed. They live in NY and she was afraid to have it in their house, so....

The story was he worked as a groundskeeper on an estate near Langley, VA. The gun was given to his employer as a retirement gift from a "company" there where he worked. He subsequently gave it to her father in law as a token of appreciation for the years he kept up their place. Maybe true, maybe BS.

Anyway the pistol was never fired and was kept in it's brown leather flap holster with a pouch for an additional magazine. The whole thing is brand new in appearance. I took it to the range once to see if it was in good operating order and shot 20 rounds through it, cleaned it and put it back in the holster.

The pistol has a new eagle proofmark with the letter N below it. The barrel is stamped 62 together with a stag horn and another eagle/N proofmark.

The serial number reads 219XXLR below the proofmark on the frame.

Any information about this weapon would be greatly appreciated. Having family history it would never be sold but I was wondering about it's value and maybe seeing if there was any way to validate the story I got with it.

Thanks in advance for any help

 

Let's start with some photographs, especially seeing as how you mention that the pistol was stored inside a holster for a long time. That generally doesn't bode well for the firearm in question, and overall condition -- inside and out -- is a key factor in what the gun may be worth were it put up for sale. This link should help.

http://www.waltherforums.com/forum/...om/forum/feedback-comments-issues/10404-tips-shooting-posting-great-photos.html

Welcome to the forum, by the way. Enjoy your time here.