Walther PP (#752234) - Odd Location of Slide SN?

[Alan Smith]

Here are the only photos I currently have of a PP that is among a group of several PP's and P.38's that are currently being offered to me locally.

I have never observed a PP with the SN on the slide in the location and manner that this pistol exhibits, i.e. the SN in the vertical position located on the right side of the slide, next to the slide serrations. Also, the SN on the slide is in marked contrast to the SN on the frame; with the slide SN appearing to have been added after the pistol was fully blued.

What is the significance, if any, of this style/location of PP slide marking? Any information as to the production date of the pistol and/or other background would be most appreciated.

[Alan Smith]

Photo 2

[Johnny Peppers]

I don't know if the significance of that particular slide serial number has been noted, but I believe it only shows up on some of the early production. I believe the numbers were pantagraphed, giving them a different appearance from the receiver serial number.

The serial number probably dates from 1930.

[Von Kleist]

It does have the 90* safety.

The font on the slide doesn't match the frame.

Did the early PPs not have a letter suffix?


Also, you would think it would have a better high polish finish that early..
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[Johnny Peppers]

PP's nor PPK's had a letter suffix until the serial numbers got to 1 million.

OP noted the difference in font of the serial number on receiver and slide. I believe the slide number was pantagraphed while the receiver number was stamped.

Part of finish problem may have something to do with the flash pictures, plus the higher the polish the more the finish shows wear and scratches. All of niter blue is gone from safety lever.

[james m]

Perhaps the slide is a replacement. However,please understand, this is speculation on my part. A hands on would certainly help here.
Jim

[Alan Smith]

Yes - to me the slide SN looks to be an addition done after the pistol was fully finished and proofed. Possibly the Walther factory added the slide SN at a customer's request, or possibly the customer added the SN itself.

I agree with Johnny that the slide SN appears to pantographed through the blue; hence the stark contrast between the slide SN and the frame SN.

My main interest is in who added the slide SN; when was this addition made; and why was the slide SN added (in an apparent post-production modification of the pistol).

[Johnny Peppers]

Briefly spoke with a friend who use to collect Walthers. If I remember everything he said, the early PP had a different firing pin design, and some were returned to Walther for alteration to the newer design. Walther pantagraphed the number on the slide at this time, and the pantagraph should be through the original finish.

[james m]

I sound like you have a somewhat rare variation. Johnny did your friend indicate whether the original slides were altered or that they were replaced with new slides and the numbers pantagraphed on?
Jim

[Johnny Peppers]

Not positive, but he said they were altered which I took to mean they retained the original slide.

Alan, if you get the chance, see if the slide has the last three digits of the serial number crudely scribed in the slide.

[Alan Smith]

Yes - will do when I get a chance to inspect the guns in person.

[Tepo911]

The gun's part of a well known Reichsbank contract.

[buckle1]

This PP in the 750k range was easily identified by the 90 degree safety as well as the firing pin design.This deasign actually turned the entire firing pin housing 90 degrees to prevent the hammer from hitting the firing pin. As far as I know this design was never modified for this particular pistol but later pistols were equipped with the newer style firing pin design. Hope this makes sense.

Bill

[Von Kleist]

Still, to me the slide has an odd finish. Like its pitted or sandblasted..

I thought early guns had a high polish??


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[JoeW]

Like Steve wrote, this gun was part of a contract for the Deutsche Reichsbank. Some have been reported with refinished slides.