Walther RZM Marked NSDAP Model PPK, SHARP Blue 3 5/16” .32 Auto RARE SA/DA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1935 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,410
LSB#: 160132WM94
Make: Walther
Model: PPK
Serial Number: 830184
Year of Manufacture: 1935 (http://www.tague.at/pistolen/en_index.htm)
Caliber: .32 A.C.P. (7.65mm Browning)
Action Type: Single or Double Action Semi-Auto with 7 Round Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked with the Walther “Banner” logo, “Waffenfabrik Walther, Zella-Mehlis (Thur) / Walther’s Patent Cal. 7,65m/m” , “Mod. PPK” and with “RZ / M” in a circle. The barrel at the port and the right side of the slide below the port opening are marked with a “Crowned N” proof as used prior to 1940. The proof mark on the barrel has been stamped twice, one on top of the other. The right side of the frame behind the trigger is marked “830184”. The 2nd eight in the serial number appears to be overstamped There are no markings on the inside of the slide or on the top of the frame under the slide.
Barrel Length: 3 5/16”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a low profile blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a flat-topped “U” groove in the top rear of the slide. The top of the slide has a full-length rib, which is serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one piece checkered brown plastic that is marbled with black. The grip encloses the backstrap and has a Walther Banner Logo at the top of the grip on each side. There are a few light handling marks in the smooth edges of the grip. The checkering shows light wear with a single tiny mar above the grip screw in the left side of the grip. The grips rate in about Fine Plus condition.
Type of Finish: The finish is blued. The hammer and trigger are developing a plum colored patina while the de-cocker has almost a fire blue finish.
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is minor thinning on the front edge of the slide and a small spot of very light pinprick surface erosion on the top of the frame on the right side of the hammer. There is a very light mark on the right side of the slide near the muzzle and a tiny mark on the right side of the frame slide near the top front of the grip. The serrations on the slide’s rib, the hammer and safety serrations and the checkering on the magazine release are all sharp. The grips screw is sharp but shows light marks from a screwdriver and the markings are clear, but two appear overstamped (see Markings section). Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol has a slide mounted de-cocker. The double action trigger pull is a little stiff and the single action pull is light and crisp. This pistol was not designed with a magazine disconnect, but the slide does lock back on an empty chamber. We did not fire this handgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one 7 round blued factory magazine with a flat blued floorplate. The magazine is marked with a Walther banner logo at the bottom of its left side. The magazine shows no wear or handling marks, but there is light pitting under the finish at the top of the magazine, which makes us think that the magazine has been refinished. The magazine is in about Excellent condition. There is also a lanyard loop on the bottom of the grip frame just behind the magazine.
Our Assessment: The “RZM” on the slide of this Walther Model PPK is the acceptance mark of the Rreichszeugmeistereimark. The pistols were contracted by the NSDAP (National-Sozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei) and were made available for purchase by the Politischen Leiters or Party Leaders at a discounted price. PPK stood for “Polizei Pistole Kriminalmodell” (Police Pistol Detective Model) and was used by the German police detectives (street cops carried the larger PP chambered in .380 A.C.P.). The PPK Model was also very popular in the civilian market. Adolf Hitler committed suicide with a PPK and a PPK was used by the fictional spy James Bond after “M” made him trade-in skeletonized Beretta. The pre-war pistols are considered very collectible and the “RZM” marked pistols even more so. This pistol is in Excellent condition with about 99% of its original finish remaining. It shows light thinning on the front edge of the slide, a light mark on the right side of the slide, a tiny mark on the right side of the frame and a small spot of very light pinprick surface erosion on the top of the frame to the right of the hammer. The checkered brown plastic grips show light wear with a tiny mar in the left grip. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. the sides of the frame, with a few tiny spots of surface frosting on the front strap. The brown plastic checkered one-piece grip shows very light wear in the checkering, but there are hairline cracks at the top front of the grip on both sides. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. The grips and magazine are correct for the RZM marked guns, and the serial number is in the correct range. This is a very collectible pistol – the RZM markings started in Dec. 1934 and were stopped in 1936, making the RZM marked pistols among the most collectable of the pre-war PPK’s. This is sure to end up in a collection of WWII or Nazi marked firearms.
