Walther Semi-Automatic Shotgun Toggle-Lock Short-Recoil 12 GA 1922-1931 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2025
LSB#: 210514MW74
Make: Walther
Model: Automatic Shotgun
Serial Number: 2823
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1922-1931
Gauge: 12 gauge, 2 1/2” Shells
Action Type: Short-Recoil, Toggle-Locked Semi-Automatic, Tubular Magazine Fed Shotgun
Markings: The left of the receiver is marked “WALTHER’S PATENT”. The left of the barrel is marked “CAL. 12-65m/m-2 1/2″ KRUPPSTAHL”. There are German proof marks on the top, left and bottom of the barrel as well as the right of the bolt. The serial number “2823” is marked on the bottom of the receiver in front of the trigger guard, the left of the magazine assembly at the rear and the bottom-rear of the barrel.
Barrel Length: 27 1/2″ (70cm)
Choke: Fixed Full Choke
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead on a checkered, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The top of the receiver has a sighting plane which is checkered for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with a round-bottom pistol grip, black hard rubber FN Browning Automatic buttplate (not original to the gun), and finger grooves running the length of the forend. There is an empty inlet in the belly which may have been from a previous sling swivel or an initial plate. There is a sling swivel in the belly and another on the forend cap. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are a few minor losses around the edges. The front of the wrist has cracks on each side and at the rear of the top tang (common on this model due to the mechanism, see Our Assessment). There is a crack at the rear edge of the forend on the right. The LOP measures 14 3/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear with two filled holes toward the toe, the bottom mounting screw likely being a replacement. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. Most marks through the finish show discoloration from oxidation. There is some other scattered minor oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The magazine release is on the left of the receiver, allowing the forend/magazine assembly to pivot down for loading. The charging handle is on the right of the receiver, pulled down to cycle the action manually (the charging handle is non-reciprocating). The bolt release is a button on the bottom of the receiver behind the magazine assembly. There is a cross-bar safety at the front of the trigger guard. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Walther is know for many things in the firearms world, but shotguns really are not one of them. This is an example of one of their rare forays into shotguns, a semi-automatic shotgun with a toggle-locked short-recoil operating system. These guns are not particularly common, with approximately 5,000 made in total, and here in the states it is surprising to find one without a German export marking. The operating mechanism lends itself to stout recoil, even from 2 1/2″ shells, and this accounts for the cracks in the wrist which are common to the model. This example appears to have seen use over the last 90-100 years, but still retains a great bore, strong mechanics and much of its original finish, though the buttplate has been replaced. This is a rare find for the Walther collector, but is also a very interesting mechanical design as well as being a great example of the innovation and variety found in early autoloading shotguns. It will make a great addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!