Nazi Walther PP

Question
I read your answer to the following question. " have a Walther model pp. the serial number is 773109. The pistol reads as follows: Waffenfabrik Walther, Zella-Mehlis(Thur)Walther's Patent 7.65m/m mod pp. The pistol is fair shape." They then asked for value. I have a similar piece. Mine has two Nazi eagles stamped on it plus what looks like a biplane and WaA359. The serial number on  this one is 342369P and has the button on the left side for the magazine release. My questions, is what do these markings mean, when was it made and how rare is it. Also can you give me a good source for valuation?
Thanks

Answer
Hi Barry,

Thanks for your question.  I will answer your question, but have to do so based on a couple of assumptions...first, I am assuming the caliber of your gun is 7.65mm.  That was the most common for the PPs during the war.  There were a much smaller number of 9mm Kurtz guns produced.  If you happen to have one of those, it will be much more valuable.

Your gun was probably produced in the 1943 timeframe.  The eagles and the WaA359 were proof marks or acceptance marks.  The WaA359 is a "Waffenamt" proof which confirms that the gun was manufactured for the military.  The '359' is actually the military code for the Walther pistol.  Assuming you have a matching serial number gun (numbers on the frame and slide match) and that it is a blued finish, you gun is collectable but not especially rare.

Depending on the condition of the gun, the range of values are:
98% condition - $850
95% condition - $625
90% condition - $500
80% condition - $350
70% condition - $300

Most specimens out there are in the 70-80% condition range.  For a gun to be in 90% or better condition would be pretty unusual unless it had been really cared for.  Most of the guns like yours were 'bring backs' of WWII vets that served in Germany at the end of the war.

The values I have provided are based on the Blue Book of Gun Values, 28th edition.  You might also want to check out the P38 Forums.  There are a lot of Walther enthusiasts on that site and if you are interested in selling you might find the ground more 'fertile' over there.

www.p38forum.com

Hope this helps you out...

Regards,

Doug