help identifying old Walther pistol

[jimandruby]

It is marked Waffenfabrik Walther Zella-Mehlis on one side. On the other side is is marked Walther's Patent CAL. 6.35. It has Walther with a 5-digit serial number, then Made in Germany. There is also the two letters "C" and "W" intertwined.

It belongs to an 84-year-old friend who remembers it being brought into his family home when he was a boy or teenager. My friend thinks it was in the 1920s or early 30's at the latest. It was actually stored in an old Colt box, so my friend always thought it was a little Colt until we looked at the markings.

 

[44 AMP]

Vesttaschen pistole

6.35mm is the European name for the .25ACP. These "vest pocket pistols" were made by Walther, Mauser, and a dozen or so other German makers up until the beginning of WWII. Many were sold in the US, and many others made their way here in GI's duffelbags.

Generally these pistols are very well made and well finished (as skilled machinists were common in Germany post WWI, and labor was cheap), and good guns, for what they are.

I'm not an expert on these guns, and so cannot offer any more info on the model you have, sorry. Posting a pic or two would be a great help, as there are some very knowledgeable individuals on the forum.

 

[James K]

Walther made several models in 6.35mm (.25 ACP), including the PP and PPK. Based on the markings and the five digit serial, I suspect the gun is a late Model 5. To obtain an accurate identification and approximate value, we would need some pictures. The "Made in Germany" marking indicates it was one of many Walther pistols imported into the U.S. by Stoeger, not a military "bringback".

All Walthers have significant collector interest; value is based on condition, but those .25 caliber Walthers will run considerably more than similar small pistols of other makes.

Jim

 

[jimandruby]

please help i.d. this Walther, with the pictures now

Thanks for the replies. I am going to try to upload some pictures now. I would be very grateful for further information about the gun, as well as a value.
I appreciate your help very much. If you need more pictures, I have them.
Thanks.

 

[3d0xies]

I'm certainly no expert, but it looks like a Walther Model 2. Check this out. That may be a pretty valuable little pistol you have there.
http://www.whog.org/originals/Walther_Model_2.htm

 

[raftman]

Nah, it's totally worthless, I'll give you $10 for it.

 

[bignz]

Looks like a model 2 to me and in really great shape! Like the website says - $2000plus easy. The C and W intertwined are certainly Carl Walther. There are big time Walther fans out there and this precursor to the PPK would spark significant interest - especially given what looks like near perfect condition for a gun that old.

 

[bignz]

Upon second look... Is the trigger broken? It looks bent upward.

 

[bignz]

Can you post a close-up picture of the mark that is just above the trigger (and what appears to be a matching one on the slide)...

 

[jimandruby]

More pix for the Walther

Thanks everybody for all the info, and the great link. Here are some more pictures. I will try later to get some better close-ups.

 

[3d0xies]

For what it's worth, here's another link with information about the Model 5, which was very similar to the Model 2.
http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/WMod5/wmod5.html

 

[James K]

It is a Model 5, as I guessed. The Model 2 was similar, but was marked "Mod. 2", while the Model 5 had no model marking.

The "crown N" markings are the standard German Nitro proof mark The Model 5 is one of the less common Walthers, as they were made for only two years, 1913-1915.

Retail value would be around $500 to the right buyer.

Jim

 

[jimandruby]

walther model 5

thanks to all for the help, and expertise, and great info links.

 

[guncoach]

what doe the model 5 bring now i just fell into one
in a collection of s&w, savage1917s and 1903 colts..
looks like the Walther may have been a good buy

The 5 was 90-95 cond but what do I know ?

 

[Grant D]

Would that have been made for export?
Why would they have "made in Germany" stamped on it in English?
Just a thought.

 

[tipoc]

As someone else said, it's also one of the guns made for the English speaking market and likely the U.S. The "S" and "F" for safe and fire and the "Made in Germany" markings indicate that.

The original grips in good condition are a plus.

Very well made little gems.

tipoc

 

[James K]

The "Made in Germany" is what is called the Country of Origin (COO) marking and has been required of all products imported into the U.S. since about 1906. Sometimes, it is part of a manufacturer's address, but if not it is usually applied by the importer after brought into the U.S. but before sale.

GCA '68 mandated another form specifically for guns, which includes the name of the importer (may be abbreviated) and the caliber so that military surplus guns can be traced within the U.S. Again, that may be part of the manufacturer's marking; if not, it is added by the importer.

Jim