Walther PPK

Question

Would you be able to tell me what the symbols are called on my PPK (with a six digit serial number beginning with 800)?
It has an eagle over an N, then "1F", then a symbol something like a flame or wave.  Other information on the gun is as follows:  "Carl Walther Waffenfabrik Ulm./Do", "Modell PPK 9mm Kurz", "Made in West Germany" on frame, "Made in Germany" on black plastic grip. Any information you could provide would be helpful.  Thank you.  

Answer
Aside from serial numbers, firearms (especially those used for military or police service) may have a number of "proof marks." These marks indicate that and (for those who know a particular gun - I don't know much about Walthers) where and by whom the tests or inspections were done.

Pictures are usually called "cartouches" and will give indication of factory, manufacturer, or in some cases are proof marks.

Carl Walther is the manufacturer. "Waffenfabrik" is simple German: "Weapon manufacturer," so that's the name of the co. I am not sure of the precise meaning of Ulm./Do, but they are letters that indicate the kind of corporation, like "inc." or "LLC"

PPK stands for Polizei Pistole Kriminal (Police Pistol Detective), and is a shorter gun that the original Walther PP.

9mm Kurts means "9mm short." 9mm parabellum or Luger was developed about 1908, and that cartridge (9x19) is the standard NATO pistol cartridge today. By contrast, the 9mm Kurtz is 2 mm shorter (9x17), and is much less powerful than the NATO round. Commercially in the US, 9mm Kurtz is identical to the .380 ACP cartridge.

That it is made in West Germany tells you it was made after Germany divided and before the Germany was reunited. These guns, along with the SIG Sauer P6s of old West German Police have been turned in for updated weapons, and have been imported in droves into the US.

Walther PP and PPK tend to be sought after by certain collectors, though they are unpleasant guns to shoot, even with their anemic caliber, owing to poor sear geometry (which is part of the design and uncorrectable)making for a heavy trigger pull, and bad ergonomics (it tends the nip the web of the hand when fired), but because it was the gun of James Bond there is a certain allure to them and depending on when your gun was made and if there is anything special about it, it may be worth something to a collector.

That's about all I know about it, sorry I can't help more.