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I am sickened to learn that this marvelous pistol has been violated with deactivation. Criminal in the extreme.
This example looks very nice otherwise.
I assume you can disassemble it. If this is the case, remove the slide from the frame and look above the ejection port inside the slide and see if the correct 3 digits from the serial number appear scratched thereon. They should be there.
Here is a close up the RZM on my 99++% NRA condition example. -
Here's an image of my pistol NOT deactivated, thank goodness. Any varigated appearance of the finish on the slide is due to the scan itself and not on the pistol. The OP's example compares favorably to this example.
RamonComment
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Ramon,
I'm with you on the UK (and other foreign nation) "deactivation" issues; the only way I can deal with such is to always keep in mind that but for the deactivation these historic arms would have been totally destroyed. Thus, while no longer in collectable form (from our perspective here in the U.S.), at least the guns do survive and with stuff like the PPK, the serial number is valuable to researchers who attempt to reconstruct the Walther production records to understand serial number ranges, dates of production, contracts, etc.
Also, let's not forget that in many countries where our Forum members reside, such "deacts" are (unfortunately) the only thing approximating a firearm they can own. I'd love to see these foreign laws changed so that more of our foreign collector friends could own real live firearms, but such is not something within my power (so all I can do is wish them well).
BTW: These UK "deact" requirements are why the World-renowned firearms collector/researcher Jeff Sturgess of Cambridge, England left his homeland and moved himself and his collection to Switzerland. My understanding is that he could not bear to see his collection "deactivated" after English firearms laws were amended in the 1990's to eliminate his ablity to maintain a collection of live military firearms. So, after close scrutiny of the various gun-friendly nations of the World, he selected Switzerland as being the most advantageous. The U.S. would have been a top candidate for him, but he has an extensive machinegun collection and those guns have been banned from import into the U.S. for private individuals since 1968, so the U.S. would not satisfy his requirements; apparently it was no problem for him to import the live machineguns into Switzerland. Thus, Switzerland is now the home of the best private gun collection in the World.
Nice PPK and, yes, I believe it has its original finish.Comment
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Unusual hue of blue on the OP gun (actually on both) also the red safety dots do not show the vibrant red original color,but I suspect just bad photos. I am sure that Johnny Pepper will be along to post his. Most beautiful blue that you are likely to see. Also both guns seems to be lacking the beautiful fire blue originally applied to the safety.
If these are from the most likely solid block #820 XXX to 845 XXX, they would be 1935 production and should have grips with the screw entering left to right.Comment
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The pistol I've posted above has the most beautiful blue one comes to expect of early Walther production. The scan itself diminishes the impact of the pistol. Seen in one's hand, it is absolutely beautiful.
RamonComment
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I fought a scanner for a while, and the images it turns out are severely lacking. I have no doubt the blue is beautiful on your PPK as I tried the same thing.
Today wonderful little digital cameras can be bought for less than $100 that are capable of producing better images than we are capable of getting out of them.
Surprise! A Colt.
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[QUOTE=Alan Smith;4901740]Ramon,
BTW: These UK "deact" requirements are why the World-renowned firearms collector/researcher Jeff Sturgess of Cambridge, England left his homeland and moved himself and his collection to Switzerland. My understanding is that he could not bear to see his collection "deactivated" after English firearms laws were amended in the 1990's to eliminate his ablity to maintain a collection of live military firearms. So, after close scrutiny of the various gun-friendly nations of the World, he selected Switzerland as being the most advantageous. The U.S. would have been a top candidate for him, but he has an extensive machinegun collection and those guns have been banned from import into the U.S. for private individuals since 1968, so the U.S. would not satisfy his requirements; apparently it was no problem for him to import the live machineguns into Switzerland. Thus, Switzerland is now the home of the best private gun collection in the World.
QUOTE]
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More pictures guys.
Again don't comment much on the british deact marks, it's all we have over here, a really shame but..
Does the finish look right? And the serial matches the period?Comment
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Magazine.Comment
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Finish has that great "been there and used" look. All markings are correct and the serial number is from the well known block of RZMs. Great gun.Comment
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