walther PP missing chamber loaded indicator

[switcher]

I just acquired a 1969 Walther PP, cal. 7.65mm.


It does not have the chamber loaded indicator, and the slide is not
machined for the indicator--no holes for the indicator on back near
hammer, or on front next to firing pin. (I have another 1969 PP, cal
380, and it has the indicator.)


Does anyone know why this pistol would be missing the indicator?


Details of gun markings are below.


The barrel marking indicates the year "69", and has the walther
"antler" and the eagle/N marks.


The left side of slide has "carl walther Waffenfabrik Ulm/Do", and
underneath that, on 2nd line, has the walther banner and "modell PP cal
7.65mm". The word "Carl" is right above the walther banner.
The slide also says "made in west germany"
on 2 lines to the right of the other wording. The right side of
the slide does not have a serial number, and has three markings: the
eagle/N, the walther antler, and what looks like "II" between the other
two marks.


The serial number on the frame, behind the trigger guard is 393XXX, (no letter at the end) and
also has the eagle/N marking.


The import mark on the frame is "CIA Georgia VT".


Thanks for any info you can offer.


switcher

 

[BADSBSNF81]

Try over at http://www.p38forum.com/ They have a pp fourm and are knowledgable.

 

[shermacman]

The loaded chamber indicator is a Nanny State requirement. I have several older guns that have no such thing. I am not at all familiar with your Walther, but my guess is that it was of a style made when people didn't have to have an idiot light to warn them that a loaded gun might possibly be a dangerous thing.

 

[Jim K]

The loaded chamber indicator was an option on all the PP/PPK pistols from day one, except for the .22 caliber guns. While the PP and PPK in 6.35 and 7.65 could be ordered with or without it, pre-war pistols without it are uncommon, and it appears that regular production was with it. It was dropped in late WWII 7.65mm guns for reasons of increased production, but was reinstated in post-war production. Postwar advertising I have seen does not mention it as an option or as a feature that could be deleted, again with the exception of the .22 caliber which did not have it.

As to why yours does not have it, maybe the folks on the P38forum will have a better answer, but mine is simple - I don't know. Maybe the gun was a special order (for a police department?) and they saved money by ordering the guns without the "signalstift".

BTW, the antler is not a Walther symbol; it is the marking for the proof house at Ulm.

Jim

 

[switcher]

My sincere thanks to all three of you for your replies with information and suggestions. I appreciate it.
Thanks
Switcher