Walther PPK serial number help

wannabeagunsmith · Sep 28, 2018

Long story short, I have a friend whose great grandfather handed down a PPK that he took off of a German officer in WWII allegedly. He asked me to do a little research into the gun's history and potential value. The Serial Number, 890425, is a little hard to research, I have found. Is there anyone here with information on this that I could see? I would really appreciate it.

He also inherited a Winchester Mod 1890 in .22 short that has been in the family for a while. Serial number 545897, receiver says Patent Jan 29, 1901.

Both guns are in fairly good condition, with minor blemishes. I will do my best to post some good photos in a bit. Thanks for all your help.

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 29, 2018

wannabeagunsmith said:
Long story short, I have a friend whose great grandfather handed down a PPK that he took off of a German officer in WWII allegedly. He asked me to do a little research into the gun's history and potential value. The Serial Number, 890425, is a little hard to research, I have found. Is there anyone here with information on this that I could see? I would really appreciate it.

He also inherited a Winchester Mod 1890 in .22 short that has been in the family for a while. Serial number 545897, receiver says Patent Jan 29, 1901.

Both guns are in fairly good condition, with minor blemishes. I will do my best to post some good photos in a bit. Thanks for all your help.

Pics will help a lot, thanks!

bannockburn · Sep 29, 2018

wannabeagunsmith

On the Walther PPK I came up with 1935 with a serial number range of 8290XX to 9327XX for that year.

Try checking out a website like Legacy-Collectibles for similar Walther PPKs like your friend has to get an idea as to a possible price range for the gun.

Jim Watson · Sep 30, 2018

Proofhouse.com says the Winchester 1890 is from 1915. These charts are not always right on, but it is from sometime in that pre WWI period.
All the patent date shows is that the product was made sometime AFTER that, maybe well after.

wannabeagunsmith · Sep 30, 2018

Wow. Very informative, thanks everyone. Here are some photos I was able to get from him.

Hanshi · Sep 30, 2018

I can't help with your questions except to say, I have a 7.65 PPK brought back from WWII by my stepfather and I inherited it from him. s# 927684 came with a military holster (soldier's ser# on the inside), two mags and the paperwork when it was declared. There are no military markings on the pistol so it is likely pre-war. It's in excellent condition, shoots great and is accurate. I've given some thought to having it reblued since it has relatively modest holster wear.

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 30, 2018

wannabeagunsmith said:
Wow. Very informative, thanks everyone. Here are some photos I was able to get from him.

Don't know much about the Winchester, but the Walther is definitely pre-war and appears to have been refinished. You don't mention caliber, but around here it would bring $4-500 in .32, a bit more in .380, and ALOT more in .25 or .22. The small bore prewar guns are rare and highly sought after by collectors.

wannabeagunsmith · Oct 1, 2018

Yeah, it is a .380.. I’m wondering if it was refinished. All I know it it has been in a sockdrawer loaded for home defense for the last 70 years haha

Walther PPK serial number help

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