RARE Pre-War PDM Marked Walther Model PP, Blue 3 7/8” Semi-Automatic Pistol, Holster & Mags MFD 1934 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,526.00
LSB#: 150811DH08
Make: Walther
Model: PP – Marked PDM (Polizeidirektion Munchen) for Munich Police Property
Serial Number: 811330
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1934 (After Himmler took command of the Munich police in 1933).
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” and “Mod. PP”. The right side of the slide and the barrel at the port are marked with a “Crown / N” nitro proof as used prior to 1939. The right side of the frame behind the trigger is marked “811330”. The left side of the frame behind the trigger is marked “PDM / 330” (PDM stands for Polizeidirektion Munchen).
Barrel Length: 3 7/8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a low profile blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a flat topped “U” notch dovetailed into the top rear of the slide. The top of the slide has a full length rib that is serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered black plastic with a Walther Banner Logo at the top of the each grip. The smooth borders show a few small marks. The checkering shows light wear with a large marred area below the grip screw in the right grip. The grips rate in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: The finish is blued with a straw colored safety.
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 88% of its metal finish. The pistol shows surface loss on the front corners of the slide and frame, with thinning on the edges of the slide and frame. There is also surface loss at the bottom corner of the backstrap, two strips of surface loss on the front strap and a spot of surface loss on each side of the frame at the hammer. There are a few tiny spots of pinprick surface erosion on the left front of the slide and a few scratches through the finish in the left side of the frame above the trigger. The slide, hammer and magazine release serrations are sharp and the de-cocker serrations show light wear. The grip screw is disfigured. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol has a slide mounted de-cocker. The double action trigger pull is smooth and the single action pull is light with just a hint of creep. This pistol was not designed with a magazine disconnect, but the slide does lock back on an empty magazine. We did not fire this handgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with two 8 round factory magazines and a vintage brown leather holster. The magazines are blued with black hard rubber finger extension floorplates. They are marked on the left side with the Walther banner logo. The magazines show light wear with a few tiny marks in their floorplates. The magazines are in about Fine condition. The body of the holster is made from a single piece of leather with the front folded over and sewn along the rear edge and the back folded over to form the top flap. There is a 2nd piece of leather sewn to the back of the holster that is folded over the rear edge to form a flap that protects the trigger guard. The flap has a short strap sewn to it attaches to a steel stud on the top flap. There is a spare magazine pouch sewn to the outside face of the holster and a single wide belt loop sewn to the back of the holster. The holster shows finish loss on the edges of the magazine pouch, the front edge of the holster and on the top flap. There are also light marks on either side of the muzzle and two deeper marks in the magazine pouch. The top flap shows light surface cracks from age. All of the stitching is intact and the leather is still supple. Overall, the holster is in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: The PP stood for “Polizei Pistole” and was used by the German uniformed police. This pistol was made in the early 1930’s, probably shortly after Himmler took over the Munich police in 1933. It is marked “PDM” and with the last 3 digits of the serial number. “PDM” stood for Polizeidirektion Munchen, or Munich Police Directorate, which was controlled by Himmler from 1933 onward. . During WWII, PP’s were also manufactured for use by officers of the Wehrmacht as well as by members of the SA. The pistol is in about Fine condition with 88% of its original finish remaining. It shows surface loss on the front corners of the slide and frame from holster wear with two spots of surface loss on the front strap, a spot of surface loss on both sides of the frame at the hammer and surface loss on the bottom edge of the backstrap. There are a few tiny spots of pinprick surface erosion at the left front of the slide and thinning on the edges of the slide and frame. The black checkered hard rubber grips show light wear in the checkering with a marred area below the grip screw in the right grip. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. A vintage brown leather flap holster and a spare magazine complete the package. This package is a great find for collectors of German WWII weaponry, especially those who specialize in wartime Walther PP and PPK models. It’s not very often that we find a pre-war Walther PP with an original finish and this is the first PDM marked PP that we have seen. This rare pistol is sure to find a home with a serious collector.
