Walther Olympia model 36

[duke71]

here are photos I hope after downsize. David

[duke71]

More photos

[duke71]

A few more

[duke71]

last one. David

[JoeW]

Thank you David. You have a very nice Walther Olympia "Sport" Modell. Does the serial number on the frame end with a "O"? I think it should be 7544 O.

[duke71]

Thanks Joe. Yes it does end with an O. David

[Aktivisti]

Great looking Olympias!

One of my favourites - currently have three .22lr "Sport" models. Two with Crown-N, one with Eagle-N proofs.

[JoeW]

Great looking Olympias!

One of my favourites - currently have three .22lr "Sport" models. Two with Crown-N, one with Eagle-N proofs.

Please can you share the serial numbers of your pistols for our data base? Thank you.

[Aktivisti]

Sure, PM sent.

[duke71]

Joe, would you mind listing the various 36 olympia models and their respective use.? Also could you elaborate on the significance of the two proof varieties. I would have thought anything manufactured in the 1930's would have carried a Nazi proof. Thanks in advance. The books don't say much and not in detail. David

[Willi Z.]

It is interesting that when these were sold, the buyer was instructed to use special stronger loads especially designed for semi-auto pistols and rifles, rather than the standard .22 lfb target ammo. The later was not deemed powerful enough to work the mechanisms. I don't know what the comparative loadings are between pre-war semi-auto ammo and and modern .22 ammo. I made such a mistake in shooting my Walther Mod. I semi-auto rifle.

You might search for old fashion clock keys David at a local clock shop. They are narrow yet have the recessed square socket. I was fortunate to acquire my Olympia in the shooter's case with the key for the weights.




But again, I would love to learn the serial numer and caliber. Thanks.

Excellent set!

[JoeW]

Thank you Willi. I was quite pleased to acquire it and the Walther shotgun, as well as to learn of the veteran's history and his association with the taking of Zella-Mehlis and the Walther factory.

[Willi Z.]

Joe, are they pretty rare?? My father was raised in Germany shooting .22s before he entered military service. Some of his favorite pieces, which he used to shoot, from his collection here in the US was his Walther KKW and a k98k .22 conversion unit. He never had a Walther such as yours, but I would like to find one. Thanks for sharing your set.

[Aktivisti]

Joe, would you mind listing the various 36 olympia models and their respective use.? Also could you elaborate on the significance of the two proof varieties. I would have thought anything manufactured in the 1930's would have carried a Nazi proof. Thanks in advance. The books don't say much and not in detail. David

I'm no Joe , but I'll try to answer anyway.

Crown/N was used up to early 1940, after which it was replaced by Eagle/N proofmark.


There are four main Walther Olympia (1936) variants, of which two are actually meant for Olympic shooting events:

- 7,5" barrel, .22 Short "Snellfeuer" Model, meant for 25 m Rapid Fire Pistol (as introduced in 1932).

- 9" barrel, .22 LR "Fünfkampf" Model, meant for Modern Pentathlon (as introduced in 1912).


The two main "non-olympic" variants are:

- 7,5" barrel, .22 LR "Sport" Model, meant for various national sport/standard (self-loading .22 LR) pistol competitions.*

- 5" barrel .22 LR "Jäger" Model, meant as an (rather expensive) hunting and plinking pistol.


*Sport/standard pistol became post-war also an Olympic and an ISSF event. Swiss Hammerli also manufactured post-war .22 Short conversion kits for "Sport" models, so they could be also used in 25 m Rapid Fire.

[JoeW]

Joe, would you mind listing the various 36 olympia models and their respective use.? Also could you elaborate on the significance of the two proof varieties. I would have thought anything manufactured in the 1930's would have carried a Nazi proof. Thanks in advance. The books don't say much and not in detail. David

Sorry I missed your question last night David, but Aktivist certainly provided a most comprehensive answer. I can only add one or two points. The Jaeger model of the Olympia was intended for something more than an expensive hunting/plinking pistol. The German hunting licenses required a demonstration of skill and dexterity in handling a pistol. In cooperation with the German Hunting Association, the Jaeger pistol was developed to satisfy the qualitifcation requirements as well as provided a hunting sidearm. A similarly designed pistol was developed by J.P. Sauer & Son.

The Third Reich operated with a Firearms Law promulgated in Imperial times. It was not until 1939 that a new Firearms Law was developed and passed. The proofing portion of the law took effect in Gemany on January 15, 1940.