Walther/Manurhin PP in .32

[OIF2]

I like Walthers...especially the PP/PPK series. They're beautifully made, reliable, easy to conceal and shoot superbly. Unfortunately, I sold my last Walther in a moment of extreme weakness. I found another, though. And it's a nice one: a French-made Walther PP in 7.65mm (.32 ACP), issued to the Austrian Police. It came with the original box, two numbered magazines, cleaning rod and the cop's name it was issued to, written on the box. This one will stay.
Bob

 

[SilentKnight]

Great find. Beautiful firearm. Well done. Enjoy it.

 

[italiansport]

I have a couple of these and got them when they were imported back in the 90s. My only regret is I didn't buy more of them. These are beautiful and apparently well cared for pistols.
Jim

 

[Absalom]

Despite the fascination surrounding the PPK (maybe partly owing to James Bond?), I've always thought the PP size to be the most perfectly shaped Walther of them all.

That's a very nice specimen. And apropos "French-made", if you used to collect them, you probably know that until the early 1980s, all Walther-marked PP/PPK's were "French-made" to a point, the major parts being manufactured at Manurhin and then shipped to Ulm in the white for final fitting, finishing and stamping, allowing them to be marked "Made in Germany". It started as a post-war expedient when guns couldn't be manufactured in occupied Germany, but turned out to be so profitable and efficient that Walther continued the cooperation. Only toward the end of production did Walther start making them from scratch at Ulm.
Some people claim quality differences between Manurhin- and Ulm-finished guns, but I've never seen any real proof for that.

 

[moosedog]

I agree on the Manurhin's quality. Every one I have encountered was as good or better than the German ones.

 

[primersp]

Hello
I have a ppk bought few years ago ,Côme from metropolitan police here, some wear
Due at holster,don't have shoot more than 300 rounds.
I agree pp it berger to shoot.
You have a nice pistol sir
André

 

[Grayfox]

That's a nice gun. Congratulations.
I'm also a fan of the Walthers. They just feel right in your hand.
I have a .32 cal PP that I picked up from an estate several months back. Mine is one of the old Century imports and is a bit finish challenged, but still a fine shooter.

 

[mauser9]

Very nice and thanks for sharing. Agree they seem the ideal piece for concealable pocket carry and the slim lines go a long way in my book

 

[sailor723]

That's beautiful! I'm always jealous when I see these. I hate that they are prohibited up here.

 

[kaaskop49]

The .32ACP was the police caliber of the "tween-wars" period and perhaps earlier, the rough equivalent of our .38Spl in terms of use. I agree with an above poster that the PP is superior to the PPK.

Get some additional magazines while you can. Never can have too many magazines.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[primersp]

Hello
You are lucky the magazines with same serial number than the
pistol,and engraved
Not juste marqued with an electric pen

 

[Absalom]

The .32ACP was the police caliber of the "tween-wars" period and perhaps earlier, the rough equivalent of our .38Spl in terms of use......

Actually, in terms of European police use it dominated post-war also. For example, uniformed German police of the Weimar and Third Reich period carried full-size military pistols, predominantly the Luger. But starting in the 1950s, the PP in 7.65mm/.32ACP became the almost universal sidearm for uniformed police in the German-speaking countries; in other countries comparable models from FN and Beretta fulfilled the same role. German police issued the PPK to detectives.

This did not change until the late 1970s, when the 9mm trio of Walther P5, Sig P6, and HK P7 replaced both PP and PPK.

 

[max]

I have one that is a bit different from yours. Mine has black grips and the box says Ulm/Do. Otherwise the boxes are identical. Mine has the name Junger printed on it.

 

[Texas Star]

Actually, in terms of European police use it dominated post-war also. For example, uniformed German police of the Weimar and Third Reich period carried full-size military pistols, predominantly the Luger. But starting in the 1950s, the PP in 7.65mm/.32ACP became the almost universal sidearm for uniformed police in the German-speaking countries; in other countries comparable models from FN and Beretta fulfilled the same role. German police issued the PPK to detectives.

This did not change until the late 1970s, when the 9mm trio of Walther P5, Sig P6, and HK P7 replaced both PP and PPK.

The PP was also much used in Sweden, France (see Andre's posts in this topic) and by detectives in South Africa, the PPK version. Uniformed police in SA were using P-38's before the Beretta 9mm clone, the Z-88, arrived.

One thing I like about the PP and PPK/S is the solid frame. The PPK's plastic grip can crack and there's no backstrap under that plastic.

I had a PP made in the late 1930's in excellent condition, and was astounded at how well it shot at 25 yards. It was no problem at all to shoot groups easily covered by the palm of my hand, a whole magazineful. It jammed occasionally, but think it was a magazine issue. I had to sell it for college tuition before I could get a new mag. Replaced it later with a Beretta M-34, due to the Beretta's rep for not jamming.

The Beretta .380 never jammed, but it was easier to shoot the Walther well. A lot of that was due to the very heavy Beretta trigger pull weight.

 

[Drm50]

I bought one last year. Not a planned purchase, just at right place. At right time. I ran a clip through it, cleaned and put it
away. I thought it would make a dependable CCW. It has black
plastic grips too. Haven't had time to fool with it, but is post
war model, I think surplus police from WGermany. I wish I hadn't
seen this post- I forgot were I put it- will not rest till I sniff it out.

 

[Texas Star]

I bought one last year. Not a planned purchase, just at right place. At right time. I ran a clip through it, cleaned and put it
away. I thought it would make a dependable CCW. It has black
plastic grips too. Haven't had time to fool with it, but is post
war model, I think surplus police from WGermany. I wish I hadn't
seen this post- I forgot were I put it- will not rest till I sniff it out.

Yes, it is best to know where you left a gun...

 

[JohnRippert]

I picked up one of those back when. Police turn in and IIRC it was $200 from Centerfire Systems.

 

[DWalt]

I remember that back in the early 1980s NIB and LNIB Manurhin PPs were fairly common sightings at gun shows at reasonable prices. I remember almost buying one. Back in the 1960s I had a Nazi-marked PP, but didn't hang onto it for very long, maybe just a few weeks.

 

[kaaskop49]

I remember that back in the early 1980s NIB and LNIB Manurhin PPs were fairly common sightings at gun shows at reasonable prices. I remember almost buying one. Back in the 1960s I had a Nazi-marked PP, but didn't hang onto it for very long, maybe just a few weeks.

Me too. Mine was marked "RJ" on the front strap, perhaps something to do with Reich judicial system? Always had trouble re-installing the slide after field-stripping, despite the ease shown on YouTube videos.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103