German Guns Walther Pistols

East German Walther PP Thanks to Kyrie Ellis / Moderator - Cruffler_Forum on Yahoo Groups for his contribution for this page ... Most of what follows is drawn directly from Dieter H. Marschall's excellent "Walther Pistols Models 1 through 99". I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Walther pistols. Post war production of Walther Model PP pistols began in East Germany in 1953, and continued to 1957. This production included the manufacture of new pistols, and the repair and refurbishment of available pre-war and wartime Walther Model PP pistols. This production was carried out at the Haenel Werk, which would eventually become a part of the larger, State controlled, Ernst Thalmann Werk. EG_PP_L.jpg Left side of an East German Walther PP pistol. The Four Powers Agreement prohibited manufacture of weapons of war in both East and West Germany. To avoid unpleasant political consequences, the manufacture of this pistol was concealed by the use of the "1001-0-Cal 7,65" stamp rather than stamping it with the manufacturer's name. While I suspect this pistol is a newly manufactured PP, it is really impossible to tell with any certainty. It is commercially proofed, and has the wreath "A. B. 70" stamp indicating acceptance by the Abnahmebauftragten (Acceptance Official/Agency). It lacks the sunburst with a shield and number that would indicate it has been Volkspolizei (VoPo) property.   EG_PP_Slide_L.jpg Close up of the model designation on the left of the slide. The "Germany CAI ST ALB VT" stamp on the frame directly below the slide is the import marking of Century Arms International, of Saint Albans, Vermont (USA). EG_PP_Frame_Proof.jpg Close up of the left side of the frame just behind the trigger and below the magazine release button, showing the commercial East German proof stamp, the model designation, and the cartridge designation. Of these three, I suspect CAI applied the model designation and cartridge designation stamps upon importation (this information is required by US law). EG_PP_Frame_Accept.jpg Close up of the left, rear, of the frame showing the Abnahmebauftragten acceptance stamp. EG_PP_Proofs2.jpg Close up of the left side of the slide and frame, showing the East German commercial proof stamp on the slide and its relationship to the same proof stamp on the frame. EG_PP_R.jpg Right side of the same post war East German Model PP. Note the placement of the frame and slide serial numbers, as well as the crossed out slide serial number "06864". It appears this slide was cannibalized from another pistol during the assembly (or repair) of this pistol. EG_PP_Slide_SN.jpg Close up of the right side of the slide, showing its present and former serial number. EG_PP_Frame_SN.jpg Close up of the right side of the frame, showing the frame serial number. It appears the German exporter of this pistol was Hammerli.