Walther PP or PPK?

[Stickfigure21]

Hello gents,
Looking for some input here. I’m building a display for a uniform belonging to an Army Major. Along with his medals, I’d like to add a brown two-claw officer belt and holster for a pistol. What pistol would his rank be carrying?A Walther PP or PPK? How can I tell the differences between a PP holster and a PPK holster?
Apologies if this post makes me sound uneducated on holsters, but it’s because I am.
Thank you in advance
-Steve


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rheinmetall]

Type of pistol was not dictated by rank of the officer. Occasionally a 9 mm pistol such as a Luger might be seen but most typical would be any available pistol of caliber 7.65 mm or even 6.35 mm. This allows you numerous options for your display.

[ErichS]

Either would be fine. The higher the rank the smaller the pistol.

[Wilhelm]

Look at various sites, see what is available. Not only PP, PPK, but Mausers and Sig Sauers were used among others. You will want one in nice condition to match the belt.

[Stickfigure21]

Look at various sites, see what is available. Not only PP, PPK, but Mausers and Sig Sauers were used among others. You will want one in nice condition to match the belt.

Exactly my thoughts, officer’s need to look snappy. Although it is a “combat uniform” so maybe a little wear would be fair.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mauser888]

From what I've read as an Officer he could have either a P08 or a P38 as issued. However most carried a smaller/lighter pistol such as a PP,PPK, Sauer 38H, Mauser HsC, CZ27 or even a P-37 Femaru.

[lew07]

Go for an FN1922. !!

[Stive]

Officers at the front had large caliber handguns to fight, officers at headquarters had small handguns, which would not interfere with working with documents))
.

[Tanker Mike]

Officers at the front had large caliber handguns to fight, officers at headquarters had small handguns, which would not interfere with working with documents)).

I agree. Look at any photos from that time frame and almost all generals have the smaller pistols while field officers are carrying something bigger. No doubt there is always an exception but I should think a major commanding in a combat unit would have a 9mm.

Mike

[Stickfigure21]

So you think 9mm? Like a P38?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Douglas Jr.]

In the Wehrmacht, officers should afford their own guns. There was a list kept by the Germand Ordnance with models available through their channel, but they could simply order their sidearms directly from dealers. So, basically, anything goes: 9 mm Luger pistols (as the P08, P38, VIS-35, HP35 and so on) as well as the several 7,65 mm models available.

It was mandatory to have private sidearms noted in the Soldbuch, and from the collected them, I usually see officers picking 7,65 mm guns like Walther PP & PPK, Mauser Models 1914/34 and HSc and CZ P27. FN Browning Model 1922, Beretta Model 1935 and FEMARU P37s were also popular - but you can go even with a Spanish Llama Model I. I would simply grab a period holster that matches better the belt and whole display and add it to the collection.

Or simply, take a look at period pictures and check what pleases you most.

Good luck!
Douglas

[Alan Smith]

This thread prompted me to pull some items for a size comparison. Having done so, I can well appreciate how a "rear area" officer would want something very small and compact . . . . given the overwhelming odds that he would never see combat.

When I acquired the Walther Model 6 pictured, the seller was insistent that such pistols "were used by high-ranking officers." Quite frankly, I paid no attention to the seller's sales pitch; I just thought it was a nice pistol at a nice price so I bought it. I is, however, readily apparent how something really small like the Walther Model 6 would be attractive to someone who wanted a sidearm (but not the inconvenience caused by daily carry of a full-sized combat pistol).

[Alan Smith]

Here are some photos from Simon O.'s post in the "Ground Dug" portion of the WA Forum . . . a Walther Model 6 (SN 45971) that he dug up around a former LW airfield in northern Norway 2-3 years ago.

[Stickfigure21]

WOW! Now that’s a nice find!

Well, the uniform has some research to it. He was a Battalion commander in Russia 1942-44, until he was KIA in 44. So as far as “not seeing combat” I don’t think that’s accurate, so I think I’ll go with ether a Lugar holster or a Walther PP.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tanker Mike]

Go With a P38

WOW! Now that’s a nice find!

Well, the uniform has some research to it. He was a Battalion commander in Russia 1942-44, until he was KIA in 44. So as far as “not seeing combat” I don’t think that’s accurate, so I think I’ll go with ether a Lugar holster or a Walther PP.

For what it is worth, I would go with a Walther P38 for your display unless you already have the Luger. The Walther PP would not be considered a front line pistol. Having owned both, the PP or PPK is much smaller in size and caliber.

Mike