Walther PP, Zella Mehlis 1940, .22lr

[Major02]

I would like to show you my recently acquired Walther PP in .22lr cal.
It's a very accurate and reliable gun, produced in Zella Mehlis, 1940.
Do we know something about using PP/PPKs in .22lr by WH or SS for training? I know that some were found in Dachau KZ after liberation of the camp.
My PP has serial number 193XXXP, "Eagle/N" proof, High polish and the last 3 digits of the s/n scratched inside the slide. It's in the 193xxxP-204xxxP range (variation 5 of SS issued PPs).

[JoeW]

Well we know that .22 PPs and PPKs were produced, advertised and sold commercially by Walther as an inexpensive method to practice shooting. The Reichsbank used them for that purpose. We have no factual evidence of the use of them by either the WH or the SS. And in the serial range you provided are also other commercial .22 PPs, Danish contract PPs, some of the RFV contract as well as some RSHA pistols. So do you think it really means much that your pistol is in that range?

[vitts]

I also own an early 40's produced 22 cal pp. I believe these were made for commercial sales ? I am not at home and do not have ser.no. But will look it up and post it. I need a mag for my pistol if you know of any. Frank

[Major02]

My Walther comes from Sweden- it was ordered in '40s for the police and later transfered to "driftvärnet" (some kind of home guard), so this particular example is not connected with RSHA for sure. I'm just interested in any proofs of using rimfire PP's by german military/police or SS.

Bartosz

[JoeW]

The .22 Walthers were not procured by the police and will not be found with police acceptance. Firearms training was accomplished with the Erma SEL f. PO8 in .22, as well as 4mm Einstecklaufen. Rifle training was accomplished with a variety of .22 training rifles. The Heer also used the Erma SEL f. P08 in .22. I am not aware of Waffen SS training using .22 firearms. The Allgemeine SS used .22 trainers from 1935 through the early war years. Politcal Leaders used the Walther Einstecklauf in their PPKs for training and later went to the .22 trainers. I am aware of .22 PPKs used by the NSKK and so marked. The SA used a multitude of various .22 trainers.