German Guns Walther Home

Walther Model 8 In 1920, Walther brought out its first post-war pistol, the Model 8.  This was a small 6.35mm Browning pocket pistol that should be considered the first of the modern Walthers.  It has many of the features that were later found on the PP, and may be considered the direct ancestor of the modern Walthers.  While the Model 8 was a blowback pistol with a concealed hammer, it had several design features that were revolutionary for Walther.  The slide enclosed the entire barrel, and retained  the  recoil spring as well, dispensing with the barrel bushing.  Disassembly was accomplished via the now familiar method of pulling the hinged trigger guard down while pulling the slide to the rear and up.  There was even a variant was offered with an aluminum alloy frame.  The Model 8 was a great commercial success, with some 500,000 being produced by the end of the Second World War.  The Model 8 was approximately 5" in length, and weighed 12.5 ounces.  Magazine capacity was eight rounds. Walther Model 8 Image Credit:  Rankin, James L., Walther Volume III, 1908-1980, (Coral Gables, Florida, 1981) Page 49