My son in law inherited a Walther 7.65 with eagle marks on the slide and bolt. Serial numbered 245XXX P.
On the back is engraved RFV 21530 W.

There is some rust to the slide but overall in nice condition.

I was hoping someone could identify the markings and give me a value as I want to purchase it from him.

RFV is for the Reich Financial Administration. A fairly rare PP. Depending on condition and the amount of original finish remaining, it would range from around $750 to $2000 (75%-95% original finish).

Thanks Vern, Unfortunately the pistol was stored in the holster and so slight discoloration but certainly a fine addition to my collection.

A collector should realize that the Reichs Finanz Verwaltung was a national organization and along with the German Railroad, was one of the first to be authorized to arm their own police/security forces. The Walther pistols added to the R.F.V. arsenal in the early 1930s were not issued to ordinary guards or officials. According to war time documentation located in the archives of the Bundes Finanz Amt, the Walther PPs were issued to senior officials the Regional Finance Districts in Germany. The PPKs like the one shown below were issued to field agents of the RFV "Zoll Fahndungs Dienst", the RFV Detective Force.


These RFV officials wore plain clothes, carried their weapons concealed on their person and were issued warrant discs (Dienstmarken) with the powers like their detective brethren in the Kriminalpolizei.

Fantastic, Joe.

Until this thread, I never knew they existed, let alone had police powers.

Thanks,
Dave

Very nice!