[macavada]

I recently bought a PPK in .32 acp. Does anyone have a link to a website with info on how to identify the year? I think it is German made. It doesn't say where it was made. It just reads:

"Waffenfabrik Walther, Zella-Mehlis (Thur)
Walther's Patent Cal. 7,65 m/m Mod PPK"

It's also has a crown and "N" stamped on the frame and barrel, and the serial no. is 9578XX.

I saw somewhere that the Crown N stamping reflects pre 1940 Germany. Any input?

I know some get tired of talking/reading about Walther PPK's, but I picked this one up for $300. I just want to know what I have. Haven't fired it yet, but it sure is pretty.

Thanks

[Jim Watson]

Sure it says where it was made.
Waffenfabrik Walther, Zella-Mehis (Thur) means
Walther weapons factory, in the medieval town(s) Zella & Mehis in the German province of Thuringia. Which was in East Germany after WW II so Herr Walther bugged out to the city of Ulm.

True, (Crown) N was the pre 1940 proofmark. East Germany used it but Walther was long gone. I know of no serial number charts to pin it down any closer than 1931 to 1940. After all, first we were bombing their factories and then the owners were getting out of town one step ahead of the Soviets and German Communists. Walther probably took the blueprints of his best selling guns, but I doubt he bothered with the ledgers.

[macavada]

Thanks for the reply. Good info. I figured the words said where it was made, I just meant it didn't have any import marks like "Made in ..." So, what do you think it's worth? It's got a lot of holster wear to the bluing, but no major scratches or pitting. I got it with only one magazine (without finger rest), and the brown plastic grip has some hairline cracks toward the top, near the slide. Should I have it re-blued, or would I be destroying any value it had left. Would it even take a re-bluing well? I'd say it's about 70% on the finish the way it is right now.

Thanks.

[denfoote]

First, I would not re-blue it if you intend to keep it as a collector's piece. That will destroy any and all collector value. I would have it apraised. I also would contact Earl Sheehan at Earl's Repair Shop in Tewksbury Mass.
His web site is www.waltherusa.net

Explain to him what you have and see if he can help you. He also sells the original replacement grips for the PPK, for a price. ;)

[Martini13]

Re: finger rests, you can get them for appx $10 direct from Walther in Springfield, Ma

[BluesBear]

Forrest, Co. has PPK mags with finger rest for $20.00.

They have an ad in every issue of Shotgun news and can be reached at www.gunmags.com

I have had good dealings with them in the past.