1937 Walther PP R.V.F. - RANGE REPORT

[majspud]

I decided to take the coin money and get another pistol, an expensive one that I would otherwise be unable to afford. I wanted something permanent in hand with that money, rather than ammo. I'll get some ammo for my birthday next month.

With the help of Jamie (Daltrey99), we narrowed a short list of contenders on GunBoards to this one from a seller whom he recommended. Runner up was a commercial proofed Walther PP from 1945; 11000# from the end of production.

Walther PP (Pistol Polizei model 1929), 7.65mm, manufactured by Walther at Zella Mahlis, Thüringen. Serial number 972138 dates this all matching piece to mid-year 1937 (967400-977300; 9900 pieces). Non-import with pre-war Crown N commercial proofs. Excellent bore, with about 90% original finish remaining. Front strap is marked R.F.V. 9624 W, showing use by the Reichs Finanz Verwaltung (Reichs Finance Ministry).

The 7.65 family has grown to seven pieces. M35 4UT Beretta next, which will be followed by the last: a FN 10/22.

MS

 

[NinerMaine]

Very Sweet and my kind of collection.

 

[richc]

Congrats!

 

[Maninblue1861]

Awesome pistol, and it's on my short list of wants.

Congrats man

 

[JuergenG]

Very nice! We do share a taste in .32's.
Now on to a PPk

 

[majspud]

Last night after posting I ran a CLP patch through the bore followed by one pass of the bore snake; bright, shiny, and flawless.

MS

 

[Speedway]

I will give you 3 M35 4UT Beretta's for that PP.

 

[Knob Creek]

Sweet

 

[majspud]

I will give you 3 M35 4UT Beretta's for that PP.

What would I do with three of them?

MS

 

[Speedway]

What would I do with three of them?

MS

One to collect, one for the right hand, one for the left.

Offer stands.

 

[majspud]

One to collect, one for the right hand, one for the left.

Offer stands.

Thanks for the offer, but I LIKE this pistol.

I'm not sure which is the more valuable now; the 03 Colt or the PP?

MS

 

[Karl]

Seems like there a a few of these party marked PPs on the market right now.... It's funny how things come up.

 

[AoxoMoxoA]

Congrats on a nice score!

 

[majspud]

Range Report.

Sunny, 65 degrees, windy. Shot at 30 feet in Weaver stance with mixed rounds: 71 gr. Privi RN, 71 gr. Winchester WC, and 65gr. Gold Dot hollow point. 50 rounds total. Shot high and right as I tend to, then compensated.

Very nice feel and function; only one misfeed when a new round and a spent case had a tie in the ejection port.

MS

 

[daltrey99]

Glad you got it. It would look good in ANY collection.

 

[45collector]

The longer barrel and smaller caliber of the PP in 7.65 makes it much sweeter to shoot than a PPK or PPK/S in 9x17. I've read several times in different articles written about Walthers that the PP series guns have always been more reliable when chambered in 7.65. The gun was originally designed for that caliber of course. My Interarms stainless PPK/s .380 was all kinds of finicky until I finally replaced enough small parts and springs in it to where I now trust it's reliability for carry.

Nice pistol MS, that there's a keeper.