PP Sport long barrel

Question
Dear Doug,

I am impressed by your answer about the Manurhin PP Sport short barrel recently posted.
I recently purchased a long barrel version with wood grips and magazine base with similar markings: Manurhin logo, 'LIC. EXCL. WALTHER', 'MOD PP Sport Cal..22 LR', 'Made in France', etc. s# 1052 L.
My question is the same. When was this made?
I also have a Walther PPK/S Interarms Made in USA s# 023173.
I have been wondering when this was made as well.

Thank you very much,

Russell

Answer
Russell,

For your PP Sport, the answer is pretty easy.  They were only manufactured in 1985 and 1986.  Based on your serial number, I'd say 1985 is the most likely.

As far as the Interarms PPK/S, it is a little tougher to date.  There is not a good source of serial number records for the US made guns as there is not as much interest from a collectable point of view.  Interarms started making the PPK/S under license in 1979.  Based on what I can find, your PPK/S was probably manufactured in either 1985 or 1986.  That's probably as close as I can get based on the info available.

Hope this helps you out.

Regards,

Doug

Russell,

Sorry for the confusion.  This should help clarify.  The PP Sport was made by Manurin much earlier, but all of those pistols were marked with the Walther logo.  Manurin made Walther pistols under license but did not put their own Manurin logo on the guns.  After Walther was able to begin manufacturing again Manurin began to produce pistols using the Walther design but put their own Manurin logo on the guns.  The model you would appear to have carries the Manurin logo.  The PP Sport with the Manurin logo was only imported into US starting very late in 1984 through 1986.

Hope this clarifies...

Regards,

Doug