Scored a Walther Model 8!

[nwilliams]

I was at a gun shop today just browsing and I scored a big hit!

I wandered over to a pistol display case that had a bunch of junky old handguns in it and sitting among them was a Walther Model 8 for $150! I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough and grabbed the nearest store clerk. He looked at me a little weird when I pointed out what I wanted.

Sadly when I handled the gun and turned it over I noticed that part of the right grip was missing but that didn't hinder my intent to buy in the least. The Walther Model 8 is not a gun you see every day especially in such good condition (minus the one grip panel that is) and both medallions were still there!

Here's my new little baby!

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Interesting, I've never seen one of these before. Looks like a Makarov and a Colt M1903 had a baby. Pretty cool, I would have bought it too. What caliber?

 

[PabloJ]

Interesting, I've never seen one of these before. Looks like a Makarov and a Colt M1903 had a baby. Pretty cool, I would have bought it too. What caliber?

It's 6,35 Browning known in USA as .25ACP.

 

[usp9]

That's a great price and the gun looks to be in unusually good shape. Congrats.

Not original factory, but you may find grip panels here.
http://www.gungrip.com/items_871__walther grips.html

 

[rondog]

Cool! But how about a little more info? Like, when were these made, rarity, common value, etc.?

 

[Dr.Rob]

That is in FANTASTIC shape!

(replacement grips, aftermarket)

http://www.triplek.com/Products/id/38/grp/412/prd/1354/

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/133075/vintage-gun-grips-walther-8-with-banner-polymer-black

 

[nwilliams]

Cool! But how about a little more info? Like, when were these made, rarity, common value, etc.?

They were made from 1920 until 1943 and around 500,000 were produced. It was the first Walther pistol to share many of the same features found on the PP series, most notably the takedown method. It's considered by many to be among the best 25 Auto pistols ever produced.

Being considered the first of the "modern" Walther designs the Model 8 is pretty desirable to Walther collectors and even in rough shape you rarely see them for sale for less than $250 and good examples can fetch a lot more. Original mags for the Model 8 are rare and expensive. A major plus is finding a Model 8 with original grips with the medallions still in place as they are prone to falling out fairly easy and being lost over the years. A set of original grips with the medallions still in place can be worth a good bit of money.

 

[bannockburn]

nwilliams

Very nice find, and even with the broken grip, was a steal at that price.

 

[Onmilo]

Your Walther 8 is a third Model, exposed extractor, no takedown latch, trigger guard takedown and looks all original including the magazine.
Broken grips are common on Model 8s, with some searching you can find replacements.
$150 is a steal for the overall condition of the gun,Nice score!

 

[nwilliams]

Found an aftermarket replacement grip for the broken one and it turned out to be a perfect match!

 

[biogenic]

Sweet ! You almost stole it