This is not directly on topic, but it is related. In the early 1970's, I purchased new an Interarms PPK/S "Premium" in .380 caliber. The frame is stamped "Premium," as is the factory practice target, and the box. I have tried researching the pistol with these markings, to no avail. Does anyone know anything about them and are they particularly collectible and in demand to collectors? Thanks for any information.
Can you post a photo? I lived 5 miles from Interarms in the 70s/80s and have a few flyers from that time. Nothing in them about a "Premium" marked model. Looking for my mid 70s Interarms catalogs.
Will try to get pics up this weekend. The pistol was bought in NYC from a dealer, who was Russian or from one of the USSR satellite countries. He might have brought this one in through "the back door." Don't know.
Here are scans of the factory practice target and "Premium" on the frame above the serial number. My camera has disappeared, probably never to be seen again, by me, anyway. I put a little flour in the stamping so it would show up. "Premium" is stamped very deeply below the serial number. I have to think it was added after the pistol was blued, but there appears to be bluing inside the "Premium" lettering. The target is obviously ink-stamped with "Premium Grade." I was mistaken about the box. It has no such marking. The pistol was distributed by Interarms, Alexandria, VA, and is marked "Made in W. Germany." There is a capital "S" following the serial number. I am probably wrong, but I suspect this one was part of a "special order" for some unknown entity. I can't think of any other reasonable explanation. If anyone has one, please post it. Thanks.
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.jpg "ppk (Medium).jpg")
I have never seen one of these Grumpy. Is there anything special about the finish or grips?
As far as I can tell, it's a standard pistol throughout. The finish is outstanding, but that's the way they were made back then. Very smooth and deeply blued. Perhaps extra care was taken in hand-fitting the components? It remains a mystery to me. It was bought new, directly from a dealer, but the dealer was strange. I was taken to him by two co-workers, who had bought PPK/S's from him, and his "shop" was not the standard gun shop. It was a back room sort of set-up, but he did have a firearms license and we went through all the paperwork. That was in about 1972, before firearms laws and regulations were tightened. I don't recall the dealer's nationality, but he spoke with an accent and was from Russia, or other USSR member, originally. It was kind of a spooky experience, really. Out in one of the boroughs of NYC. My co-workers and I were FBI agents, so it is doubtful there was anything illegal involved. I didn't notice the "Premium" aspect until well after the purchase. I wish now I had questioned the seller about it. There was nothing extraordinary about the price. I guess it will remain a mystery.
It looks like an importer mark to me on the frame. Perhaps there marking things was "premium grade firearms".
Timboo, the importer was "Interarms," as noted above. I don't think the shop owner would have marked the pistol and target as seen. The shop was very small and, I suspect, a part-time business, which, to my knowledge, did not advertise. I don't think the markings would have been done to entice customers to buy from that dealer. There really would have been little, if any, advantage in doing so. My best guess is the markings were done by "Interarms" to place the pistol a notch above others, but who knows as to why?
Why not post it on the p-38/ppk forum? They are about as knowledgeable as they come.
Timboo, the importer was "Interarms," as noted above. I don't think the shop owner would have marked the pistol and target as seen. The shop was very small and, I suspect, a part-time business, which, to my knowledge, did not advertise. I don't think the markings would have been done to entice customers to buy from that dealer. There really would have been little, if any, advantage in doing so. My best guess is the markings were done by "Interarms" to place the pistol a notch above others, but who knows as to why?
Sorry, I thought you meant Interarms was the distributor (as in middle man between manufacturer/importers and dealers) and not necessarily the importer. I know Interarms imported Walther for a number of years, but wasn't sure who else may have brought them in.
I'd say you're right about it being a mark put there by Interarms.
You could be right. There could have been a distributor or wholesaler between Interarms and the dealer. My guess, though, is the dealer obtained it directly from Interarms. Back in those days, there was much less hassle in the firearms trade than there is now. Anybody have a guesstimate on the value? Original brown box, instruction boolklet, cleaning rod, target and only one magazine load fired through it. Minty, for sure.
Just found a reference on a .22 PPK/S Premium. According to the information, the "Premium" refers to the finish being highly polished. Guess that finally resolves the question.
Well, that is interesting. I have never seen a PPK marked in that way.