Walther PPK/S 380 1973 Nickel

[22hipower]

I sold this one awhile back as I concluded that the "rare" nickel finish was not factory. . . .but it looked really good and I've wondered ever since if it might indeed have been factory. Any thoughts?

Jeff
SWCA #1457

IMG_1609 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/, on Flickr

IMG_1608 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/, on Flickr

IMG_1610 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/, on Flickr

IMG_1611 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/, on Flickr

 

[Inusuit]

I'm no expert on Walthers even though I own a couple.

This post on the Walther Forum:

Manurhin/Walther offered several different finishes (chromed, nickel plated, gold plated, engraved etc.) until 1986.

If the serial puts your pistol pre 1986, could be factory. If it isn't, someone did a very nice job with aftermarket plating.

 

[colt_saa]

That sure looks like an after marked nickel job

The mistake most platers make is the rear sight

 

[mauser9]

Looks fantastic whoever did it.

 

[Absalom]

Manurhin/Walther offered several different finishes (chromed, nickel plated, gold plated, engraved etc.) until 1986.

If the serial puts your pistol pre 1986, could be factory. If it isn't, someone did a very nice job with aftermarket plating.

The Ulm proof on the chamber seems to show 1973, and I think Interarms particularly liked a variety of offerings.

My expertise in modern nickel is insufficient for any confident judgment, but it looks good enough for a factory finish, particularly the sharp stampings.

 

[Echo40]

It doesn't appear to be a factory job, (all examples of factory finishes Ive ever seen had a satin or matte finish) but it looks swell regardless, so the only folks who couldn't appreciate it are snobby collectors anyway.

 

[CZU]

Walther didn't offer a nickel finish but Interarms did modify blued pistols with a finish that was called NiVel(short for Nickel Velvet I believe). This one below is Walther marked/French proofed(under license of), because of this configuration you will not find a date on this pistol(probably early 80's). I collected serial numbers for a couple years and all that had this type finish were in this same style. Interarms applied a sticker to the box denoting the finish.

 

[Absalom]

Walther didn't offer a nickel finish but Interarms did modify blued pistols with a finish that was called NiVel(short for Nickel Velvet I believe).

This pistol is definitely too early for Nivel which Interarms didn't use until the early 1980s.

I have to disagree with you on your first statement; both Walther and Manurhin offered conventional electroplated bright nickel finishes at the time the OP's pistol was made. But since nickel was never as popular in Europe as in the US, very few were produced upon special order only.

This does not imply or prove that the OP's pistol is one, although I tend to think it is.

 

[max]

I have a prewar .22 PP in nickel I believe. It was a bring back in WWII.