UBB.threads Forums General Militaria Historic and Period Firearms Forum Walther PP & PPK Production

Since posting the Walther PP and PPK Serial Number Table int he GDC Reference Gallery, I frequently get emails wanting the production date for a specific serial number. Because there have been seven firms that produced PP and PPK models, it is sometimes difficult to know which one is being discussed. Hopefully, this thread will help. PP and PPK pistols were produced by three firms under the direction of Fritz Walther, Carl Walther's eldest son. The original factory was in Zella-Mehlis, in the German state of Thuringia. PP production from 1929 to 1945, and PPK production form 1931 until 1945 were typically marked as shown in Photo 1 below. Late war pistols could be unmarked, or stamped with just a WaffenAmt code. With the factory on the verge of being captured, Fritz Walther fled to the West with his plans and patterns. The Walther Serial Number Table in the GDC Reference Gallery covers the pre-1945 production. In 1952, PP and PPK production resumed in France at the "Manufacture de Machines du Haut-Rhin" or "Manurhin" firm under the direction of Fritz Walther. Production is typically marked as shown in Photo 2. Production continued there until 1986. Serial number tables exist for most of the Manurhin production. In 1953, Fritz Walther opened a factory in Ulm, West Germany. PP and PPK pistols are typically marked as shown in Photo 3. An interesting fact is that the pistols were not manufactured here. Rather they were assembled and finished from parts supplied by the company in France. Production continued here until 1986. Serial numbers for these pistols are totally scrambled. Fortunately, they were proofed at the Ulm Do arsenal. Looking in the ejection port and following the Ulm Do proof antler are two digits or two letters. The digits are the year of proof. The letters are also the year of proof with A=0 to K=9 (no J). The switch from numbers to letters occurred 1963-74.

Production of the Walther PP and PPK continued under license in the US. From 1978 to 1999, Interarms of Alexandria Virginia distributed both models. They were produced by Ranger Firearms Factory and were marked as shown in Photo 4 below. Because several different serial sequences were used, only Interarms can provide manufacture dates. From 1999 to 2002, Walther USA distributed both models produced by Black Creek Manufacturing. They were marked as shown in Photo 5 below. These were very poor quality and very low production. Serial numbers are not known. From 2002 to 2013, both models were produced and distributed under license by Smith & Wesson. They were marked as shown in Photo 6 below. Again, very low production and poor quality with several recalls. Serial numbers are not known. Finally, beginning in 2018, PP and PPK models are being produced by Walther Arms of Fort Smith Arkansas, a subsidiary of the German parent firm. They are marked as shown in Photo 7 below. Once again, quality control seems to be an issue as production has started and stopped several times in the last six years. Serial numbers are available through Walther Arms.

The Walther PP is a beautiful pistol, I do not own one. People have always told me to focus on what you want in collecting, unfortunately, I love all old things, and have a large house and two safes
full of stuff, but no PP or PPK. Someday, I hope to find the right one.
Thanks Vern for this gallery, I drool over them all the time, and when I see one for sale, the quality is not there, or the price is out of my world, but I never give up.

Examples of the Ulm proof mark with date codes. "63" for 1963 and "HH" for 1977.