Walther PP Serial No. 303453 P

Question
Can you tell me the manufacture date of this firearm and any other info of interest about it ?

The gun itself looks exactly like the photos I can find of the Walther PP with couple of odd exceptions.

The handgrips on both sides say Walther in their wavy style.

The serial No. 303453 P is in the usual place in the metal between the handle and the trigger frame.

What's puzzling is that's the only identifying information on the gun itself.

The magazine in the gun has the Logo for Manurhin near the triangular base and below that it says " PP 7,65 "

That is the complete ID info on or in the gun.  I field stripped it and there's nothing to see inside there either.

The slide (where all the usual information is impressed)  is completely blank on all surfaces. ? ? ?

Also, the finish on the slide is highly polished, extremely shiny looking, while the rest of the gun is the usual gun blue.

I am thinking of buying it and would appreciate any info you can give me towards making a decision.  It has a very worn and beat up look about it as though it has not had the best of care.  

The owner thought it was a "James Bond PPK" type but it's not.

Answer
Jerry,

There are a lot of things about the description you have given me that I don't like...

First, the serial number alone doesn't provide me with enough info for a date.  To give you a little history on the Walther, pre-war and WWII vintage guns were manufactured by Walther at their Zella-Mehlis plant.  Immediately post war, they were assembled by Manurin in France but were manufactured in and marked as Walther, Ulm/Do.  In 1984, Manurin in France started manufacturing Walthers under license, but stamped the slides "Manurin".  This occurred between 1984 and 1986.  After 1986, Walther began importing directly again.   All of the manufacturer info always was stamped into the slide of the pistol....

My initial impression is that you have a gun that is a 'patchwork quilt' of gun parts for the Walther.  The fact that there are no manufacturer marks or proof marks at all on the slide makes me highly suspect.  Any Walther, either manufactured directly or under license would have some manufacturer and proof marks on it.  During the period that Manurin manufactured Walthers, there were no polished slides, only blued guns.  Also, there should be a number on the slide that matches the number on the frame.  In really collectable specimen, the numbers match on the slide, frame and magazine.

If I were to take a guess, I would say that you are looking at a Walther frame, a Manurin magazine and an aftermarket slide.

Please understand that there are literally hundreds of bogus Walther pistols out there.  Since the pre-WWII and WWII models are so collectable and pricey, there are lots of guns out there that people are representing as collectables that are simply junk.  Since your seller didn't even know what he had (PP vs. PPK).  By the way, I am not saying that the seller is being dishonest.  He may not be familiar with this type of gun and his mistake may be one of ignorance vs. an attempt to deceive.

If you are considering a purchase,  I'd probably pass on this particular gun.

I will make the disclaimer that I am making this recommendation based solely on the info you have provided.  If you want a really detailed answer, you should take it to someone who is a firearms appraiser that can do the appropriate research and give you a true assessment.

If you are truly interested in a PP or PPK from the standpoint of a collectable gun, check out the P-38 Forums.  Google "P-38 Forums" and you will find a place with a wealth of knowledge on both P-38, PP and PPKs.  Plus there are occasionally some pretty impressive collectable pieces offered...

Best regards,

Doug