Walther date of manufacture (Vermont)

[RGT]

Requesting help identifying the date of manufacture for this pistol;
Walther PPKS 22 cal.
ser# 121979
Thanks from Vermont

 

[Dr.Rob]

See if there is a number beside the antler proof mark on the barrel visible through the ejection port, if I read my research right that should be the last 2 digits of the production year.

 

[j.horan]

Interarms Walther PPKS Stainless 380

Just bought PPKS serial #S147xxx .No target with date. Manufacturer's printing of cover page for manual says 4/95. This is on the back page of the Warranty statement. Hope this helps others.

 

[waidmann]

The PPK/S is a creature of the Gun Control of 1968. So we start there. It is the marriage of a PPK slide to a PP frame which amassed enough points on a sporting purpose scale for import. If you gun is German made Dr. Rob is correct, at some point Walther adopted the code system where the two digits were replaced by letters a-k. These represent 0-9. My PP is marked IH for 1987.
If your gun has "under license of" in fine print on the slide above the Walther info, it was made in Gadsden, Alabama between 1978 and sometime prior to 2002 by Ranger Mfg. In 2002 S&W took over U.S. production and those guns are so marked.

That's the best I can offer.

 

[j.horan]

Mine says Interarms,Alexandria,VA.

 

[Fla_Marine]

Hi guys. Thanks for your help.

Can you tell me the place and year of manufacture for a Walther PP in .32 cal, Serial Number - 300239P

Something tells me it is a little old.

Thanks!

Fla_Marine

 

[Ron James]

1940/1941, should have Eagle over N marking, Other markings will tell whether or not it a military/police/commercial firearm.

 

[waidmann]

Walther was located in Zella-Mehliss, Thuringia. Pe-war guns are so marked. The first few years the guns had 90 degrees of travel in the safety. War era guns are code marked. The French hauled off some equipment those guns are trademarked Manurhin. West German guns and American ones are covered in my previous post. Thuringia ended up in the Soviet zone.

During the war extensive remodeling was conducted through the auspices of the 8th U.S. Air Force I doubt early records survived .

Disclaimer: I do not claim real expertise in this area, but since no one else is stepping up.......

P.S. A stainless Interarms is likely an Alabama gun. Is it marked "under license of" on the slide above the Walther script? Interarms did import German guns as did H&K (and others). I know of no SS out of Germany.

P.P.S. Guns from 1939 to 1945 will have the extended wing eagle over an N (nitro-proven), later guns have folded wing federal eagle over an N. From production start to 1939 the old Imperial style eagle with crown and a crowned N appeared. Military guns may or may not bear these.

 

[Ron James]

Hello waidmann, my understanding is that the first use of the Eagle over N was at serial number 109829P, and continuous use after serial number 161000P ( on the PP's) , 1/1941. Prior to this, from 1912 until 1940, it was the crown over N. PS, I like the bit about extensive remodeling

 

[Fla_Marine]

Date on the Walther PP.

Waidmann and Ron,

Thanks for your responses. After reading them I can provide a little more information.

There are 'Eagle over the N" markings on the barrel (chamber) as well as below that area on the slide. There is another marking of "Wa4359" under an eagle stamp where the trigger guard is connected to the front of the frame (magazine well) and the similar stamping of Wa435 (looks like the 9 did not hold in the metal) under an eagle on the slide above the magazine release button. The safety lever has slightly less than 90 degrees of travel. The pistol functions prefectly though why anyone would shoot someone with a .32is beyond me.

With the glass I can see the name of the town you mentioned on the slide. The Walther emblem on the pistol and the grips is the wave shaped banner. The serial numbers on the slide and frame match. I note no serial numbers on the two magazines. I have the holster for the pistol but it has wore significantly. The stitching has rotted and the muzzle end of the holster has worn through. The pistol has not been in the holster for over 15 years.

Any other thoughts on this would be appreciated!

Semper FI,

Fla_Marine

 

[waidmann]

waffen amt

Weapons office. Refers more to a station rather than an individual inspector.
It is the proof that your pistol was Wehrmacht (Defense Department) property.

Whether the gun is code or commercially marked.

In that era in Europe 7.65mm was considered fully adequate. The 9X19 was hot stuff.
Among German officers size denoted status, smaller was better or at least more impressive. At a certain rank a sidearm is more a badge of office anyway.

So in ascending order of status: Full size/foreign (HiPower, Radom etc.), P-38/Luger then the PP then the PPK

 

[gyvel]

"Wa4359"

That's actually "WaA359," if you look a little closer. WaA="Waffen Amt."

359 was one of the numbers assigned to Walther during the Third Reich years.

 

[Fla_Marine]

WaA359

Thanks gyvel. You are right on closer examination you are right.

Semper Fi,
Fla_Marine