Walther PPK, RARE English Proofed Pre-War W Suffix Model, Blue 3 3/8” DA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1930-39 C&R
LSB#: 160132WM19
Make: Walther
Model: PPK
Serial Number: 185596W
Year of Manufacture: 1930-1939
Caliber: .32 A.C.P. (7.65mm Browning)
Action Type: Single or Double Action Semi-Auto with 7 Round Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked with the Walther “Banner” logo, “Waffenfabrik Walther Zella-Mehlis (Thur) / Walther’s Patent Cal. 7,65m/m” and “MOD. PPK”. The right side of the slide below the port opening and the right side of the barrel at the port are marked with a “Crowned N” proof as used prior to 1940. The right side of the frame behind the trigger is marked “185596 W” and inside a box with “NOT ENGLISH MADE”. The right rear of the slide and frame are marked with a crowned circle with a “V” inside – a British view mark for “non-English made guns”. The barrel at the port is also marked with a crowned circle with “V” inside, a crowned circle with “GP” inside (London definitive proof for non-British made gun), and “NP” (Nitro proof).
Barrel Length: 3 3/8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a low profile blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a flat topped “U” groove in the top rear of the slide. The top of the slide has a full length rib which is serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one piece checkered brown plastic with streaks of black and red running through it that encloses the backstrap. There is a Walther Banner Logo at the top of the grip on each side. The smooth areas at the tops of the grips show surface bubbling from a harsh chemical. The checkering shows light wear with no mars and the smooth borders show only a very few light marks. There is also a tiny crack at the top of the grip screw on the right side of the grip and a few hairline surface cracks in the rear border of the left side of the grip. The grip rates in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: The finish is blued and the de-cocker is straw colored. .
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion…
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 84% of its metal finish. There is thinning on the edges of the slide with pinprick surface erosion sprinkled over the top and left side of the slide, the left side of the frame and the front strap. There are also a few light handling marks on the sides of the slide, the right side of the frame and the front strap. The hammer and safety serrations show very light wear and the checkering on the magazine release and the slide serrations are sharp. The grip screw is distressed and the markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol has a slide mounted de-cocker that blocks the firing pin and a magazine release mounted on the left side of the slide. The double action trigger pull is a little stiff and the single action pull is light and crisp. This pistol was not designed with a magazine disconnect, but the slide does lock back on an empty chamber. We did not fire this handgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one 7 round factory magazine. The body has a black phosphate finish and the floorplate is blued. The magazine is marked on the lower left side with the Walther banner logo and “PPK 7,65 m/m”. The magazine shows light thinning and the floorplate shows only light mark. The magazine is in about Fine overall condition. There is also a lanyard ring on the bottom of the grip frame behind the magazine.
Our Assessment: This Walther Model PPK was made in in the 1930’s before Germany changed their proof marks to an “Eagle / N” from the old “Crown / N” and somehow ended up in England where it acquired British proof and view marks. This pistol has a “W” suffix, but none of the books we consulted knew what the “W” stood for. . The PP stood for “Polizei Pistole Kriminalmodell” (Police Pistol Detective Model) and was used by the German police detectives (street cops carried the larger PP chambered in .380 A.C.P.). The PPK Model was also very popular in the civilian market. Adolf Hitler committed suicide with a PPK and a PPK was used by the fictional character James Bond after “M” made him trade-in skeletonized Beretta. The pre-war pistols are considered more collectible than any other period except for those made during the war, and the quality and workmanship on these pistols is outstanding. This pistol is in Fine condition with about 84% of its original finish remaining. It shows thinning on the edges of the slide with pinprick surface erosion sprinkled over the top and left side of the slide, the left side of the frame, and the front strap. There are also a few light handling marks in the slide and frame. The grip is a one piece checkered brown plastic that shows some surface bubbling on their smooth tops from a harsh chemical and a few light marks. There is also a small crack at the edge of the grip screw on the right side and two surface cracks on the back edge of the left side. The checkering shows very light wear. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. This is a very collectible pistol, and we think the British proof marks are going to enhance its value. It is sure to end up in a collection of pre-war automatics.
