Walther PPK/S .380 acp Question

[waelkhntr]

I picked up a rather nice Walther PPK/S 380acp (in box) yesterday. I have spent an inordinate amount of time attempting to determine approximate date of manufacture. Serial number is 040112 any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for looking
Terry

 

[Sam McCord]

If there is a target in the box check the date on it. I found a website once that had put together a database using NIB PPK targets in the box but I don't remember the site. I never found much information when trying to date mine. It's an Interarms gun from the early 1990's (according to the included target). Good luck.

 

[Echo40]

There are other ways to help determine when it was made, such as the manufacturer/importer, as the PPK/S has been produced by a number of manufacturers since it first debuted in 1968.

So the first thing I would ask is, whose name is on the gun besides Walther if any? Manurhin? Interarms? Smith & Wesson?
Also, where was it made? Germany? France? USA?

All these things are clues to when it was manufactured and they're easier to follow than Serial Numbers.

 

[Absalom]

If it was Walther/Ulm made or finished, the two-digit year or after 1977 a two-letter year code should be on the chamber visible through the ejection port.

 

[waelkhntr]

Interarms, Alexandria, Virginia. Unfortunately the the target is not in the box. only other marks I find is a VA on the ejection bolt which I believe is a proof mark for Alexandria, Virginia.

Thanks for the replys

 

[junglefighter]

I would suggest going to the Walther Forum and they should have your answers.

 

[waelkhntr]

Junglefighter,
I tried that during my search, That forum doesn't appear to be as warm and friendly as this forum. Plus not really excited about joining another forum for one question. I attempted to follow their links but really couldn't find the answer.

Terry

 

[Echo40]

Interarms, Alexandria, Virginia. Unfortunately the the target is not in the box. only other marks I find is a VA on the ejection bolt which I believe is a proof mark for Alexandria, Virginia.

Thanks for the replys

Well, that narrows it down a bit. Interarms was the license holder of Walther brand firearms in the United States from 1978 until 1998 when the owner died and the company closed down.

That being said, I have a few questions which will help to narrow it down further.

1.) Is it marked as "Made in USA" on the slide under the Walther banner? If not, then it was made by Manurhin, Interarms merely imported it.
2.) Is the finish high gloss or satin? Manurhins had a high gloss blued finish, whereas Interarms was more of a satin finish.
3.) If it is USA marked, is the slide stamped or etched? If the slide is etched, then it's a late production Interarms model made in the mid to late 90s.

 

[junglefighter]

If it has Interarms on the right side of the slide and the serial # begins with A, it's probably a 1989 mfg. This is just a guess as I did not research your pistol.

 

[waelkhntr]

FSW,
1) yes it is marked "made in USA" under the banner
2) Satin (nice rich color) nearly glossy
3) Stamped rather than etched

there are no letters preceding the serial number.
seem like maybe early 90s production?

Thank you, everyone

 

[Thiokol]

Your pistol was manufactured for Interarms by Ranger Mfg. in Gadsden, Alabama. Try this link to determine your pistol's year of mfg.:

Reported Interarms/Ranger Serial Numbers/Dates | Walther Forums

 

[waelkhntr]

Thanks everyone for the assistance. I can live with mid 90s date of mfg.
Time to move on to other firearm pursuits.

Terry