Walther Pp Serial Numbers Post War

Walther PP Serial Numbers Post War

The Walther PP (Polizei Pistole) is a famous double-action semiauto pistol that was introduced in 1929 and became popular among police and military forces in Germany and other countries. It has a long history of variations, finishes, and special editions, making it a collectible firearm for many enthusiasts. One of the aspects that collectors are interested in is the serial number of the Walther PP, which can indicate the date and place of manufacture, as well as the model and caliber of the pistol.

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In this article, we will focus on the serial numbers of the Walther PP pistols that were produced after World War II, from 1945 to 1992. We will also provide some information on how to identify and date your Walther PP post war pistol based on its serial number and other features.

Walther PP Serial Numbers Post War: 1945-1992

After World War II, Walther resumed the production of the PP and PPK pistols in 1950 at their new factory in Ulm, West Germany. The serial numbers of these pistols started from 100001 and continued until 1992, when Walther stopped making the PP and PPK models. The serial numbers were stamped on the right side of the frame, slide, and barrel, along with the caliber and model markings. The serial numbers were also preceded by a letter code that indicated the year of manufacture. The letter codes were as follows:

Letter Code

Year

A

1950

B

1951

C

1952

D

1953

E

1954

F

1955

G

1956

H

1957

I1958K1959L1960M1961N1962P1963R1964-1965S or T or U or V or W or X or Y or Z or AA or AB or AC or AD or AE or AF or AG or AH or AI or AK or AL or AM or AN or AP or AR or AS or AT or AU or AV or AW or AX or AY or AZ or BA or BB or BC or BD or BE or BF or BG or BH or BI or BK or BL or BM or BN or BP or BR (no Q)1966-1992 (one letter per year)

The letter code was followed by a three-digit number that indicated the production batch within that year. For example, a Walther PP with the serial number A123456 would have been made in 1950, in the 123rd batch of that year.

In addition to the serial number and letter code, the Walther PP post war pistols also had other markings that can help identify and date them. These include:

The proof marks: These are small stamps that indicate that the pistol passed the quality and safety tests required by law. The proof marks were usually located on the left side of the frame, slide, and barrel, near the muzzle. The most common proof marks found on Walther PP post war pistols are:

• The Ulm antler: This is a stylized antler symbol that represents the city of Ulm, where Walther had its factory. It was used from 1950 to 1975.

• The Ulm eagle: This is an eagle symbol with the letter N underneath, which stands for Nitro, the type of smokeless powder used in modern ammunition. It was used from 1952 to 1975.

• The Ulm eagle over N: This is the same as the previous mark, but with the letter N placed over the eagle instead of underneath. It was used from 1976 to 1992.

• The date code: This is a two-digit number that indicates the year of proof testing. It was used from 1976 to 1992, and it was located below the Ulm eagle over N mark. For example, a date code of 76 means that the pistol was proof tested in 1976.

The import marks: These are stamps that indicate that the pistol was imported to another country, usually the United States. The import marks were usually located on the right side of the slide, near the muzzle. The most common import marks found on Walther PP post war pistols are:

• The Interarms mark: This is a stamp that reads "INTERARMS ALEX VA" or "INTERARMS ALEXANDRIA/VA", which stands for Interarmco (later Interarms), a company that imported Walther pistols to the US from 1958 to 1983.

• The Ranger mark: This is a stamp that reads "RANGER MFG CO INC HOUSTON TX" or "RANGER MFG CO INC HOUSTON TEXAS", which stands for Ranger Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of Interarms that made Walther pistols under license in the US from 1983 to 1999.

• The Smith & Wesson mark: This is a stamp that reads "SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MA" or "SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS", which stands for Smith & Wesson, a company that imported Walther pistols to the US from 1999 to 2012.

• The Walther USA mark: This is a stamp that reads "WALTHER USA LLC FORT SMITH AR" or "WALTHER USA LLC FORT SMITH ARKANSAS", which stands for Walther USA, a subsidiary of Walther that imports and distributes Walther pistols in the US since 2012.

How to Identify and Date Your Walther PP Post War Pistol

To identify and date your Walther PP post war pistol, you need to look at its serial number, letter code, proof marks, and import marks, and compare them with the information provided above. Here are some examples:

• A Walther PP with the serial number D123456, the Ulm antler and eagle proof marks, and no import marks would have been made in 1953 in Germany, and never exported to another country.

• A Walther PP with the serial number S123456, the Ulm eagle over N proof mark, the date code 78, and the Interarms mark would have been made in 1966 in Germany, proof tested in 1978, and imported to the US by Interarms sometime after that.

• A Walther PP with the serial number AW123456, the Ulm eagle over N proof mark, the date code 92, and the Smith & Wesson mark would have been made in 1992 in Germany, proof tested in the same year, and imported to the US by Smith & Wesson sometime after that.

By following these steps, you can identify and date your Walther PP post war pistol with ease. However, keep in mind that there may be some exceptions and variations that are not covered by this article. For more detailed and accurate information, you may want to consult a reputable reference book or website on Walther firearms.

Conclusion

The Walther PP is a classic double-action semiauto pistol that has a long and rich history. It has been used by police and military forces around the world, as well as by famous fictional characters like James Bond. It has also been produced in many variations and special editions, making it a collectible firearm for many enthusiasts. By looking at its serial number and other markings, you can identify and date your Walther PP post war pistol with ease. We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you.