My brother's PPK. Know anything about it?

[Lightsped]

Here is my brother's PPK that my dad gave him. I know pretty much nothing about PPKs. What is the approximate production date? Is this a "good one"? Any PPK folks here?

 

[Larryect]

I am certainly not an expert, but I believe there is a preference for the German built PPK's. I suspect it is worth more than an American made one.

 

[searcher451]

This looks to be a German-made PPK/s 9mmK (.380 ACP) from the Walther plant in Ulm/Do. and imported into the U.S. by the Interarms Co. of Alexandria, Virginia. It is a highly desirable gun; the craftsmanship should be apparent throughout. Take a look at the frame above the trigger on the right-hand side, and you should see a date code of two letters. That will give you the year that the gun was made. The code translates as follows:

A = 0
B = 1
C = 2
D = 3
E = 4
F = 5
G = 6
H = 7
I = 8
K = 9

(The German J is easily confused with the German I and is therefore not used, as I understand it.)

A code of ID, for example, would indicate a gun made in 1983.

To understand the proof marks on German guns, visit this site:

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/Firearm/Proofmarks.pdf

Hope this helps.

 

[usp9]

I believe ULM put the year of manufacture on the barrel, next to the antler mark. Look in the ejection port.

It looks to be in good shape, with brown aftermarket grips, probably also Interarms and if it's in good condition should sell for at least $350 and as high as about $500. Do you also have the black plastic grips? These are very well made pistols in demand.

 

[surjimmy]

My Dad gave me his this Sunday, he's been carring it for about 20 years. Yours looks just like it. I called Walther and the guy asked what numbers were on the dust cover mine was 68, like yours. He said that's the date it was made. Here is the number if you want to call. 978-851-2656. Hope this helps.

 

[Lightsped]

Thanks for the info, I have to check out the date on the barrel near the ejection port.

As for quality, I haven't fired it much. The fit and finish does appear to be of high quality though. The finish is alittle thin on the front corners though....

As for grips, those are the only grips my brother has that I know of.

 

[redneckrepairs]

For a "German" interarms import the date should be stamped on the barrel like usp9's example pic . Know tho that its likely not a true german gun , i am not sure of dates but most ppks that came in were made in france under walther licence . They are still as a rule worth more that the ones made here in the usa , I can get a stainless us made ppk/s for less than my refinished " gereman/french " is worth .

 

[usp9]

redneckrepairs,
It is true that many Walthers were made by Manurin in France, but if it says "Made in Germany" and has a German proof mark and is after the date production resumed in Germany, then it is a true German made pistol.

 

[Mad Magyar]

IIRC, postwar PPK's were made under license of Walther, Germany, with RedNeckRepairs comments w/Manurhin /France as correct....
If not, I'll stand corrected...

 

[usp9]

I cite this source:
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg13-e.htm

"After the war, production of the PP and PPK pistols was resumed in France by Manurhin under German licence. Later on, production was returned to the re-established Walther factory in the city of Ulm ab Donau (pre-war Walther factory was located in the city of Zella-Mehlis), and these pistols have seen widespread use by civilians..."

I believe this occured around 1962 or 1963. FWIW Manurhin PPKs are reported to be of very high quality and most sport a St. Etienne proof mark. However if a PPK has a German proof mark it was made in Germany.