Introduced in 1950, the Manurhin Walthers were the product of a team up between Manufacture de Machines du Hout-Rhin (who had the tools and the talent, and were looking for a new product) and Fritz Walther (who held all the patents to the PP and PPK pistols, but was left out of doors by the bombardment and occupation of the Walther factory), bringing the famous handguns back to the market. Well up to the task, Manurhin's pistols were faithful to the pre-war originals, delivering on the fit, finish and function associated with the Walther name. The very first batch off the line, PPs starting at 100,001 and PPKs starting at 500,001, went to the Thalson Import Company of San Francisco for sale on the perpetually weapon-hungry American market. This pistol, serial number 500001LR, is pictured on pages 134 and 135 of Walther Models PP and PPK 1929-1945 by James Rankin, and also featured on page 174 of Rankin's follow-up work Walther Volume III 1908-1980, with both calling it out as the first PPK made by Manurhin, noting the serial number and duralumin frame. Fixed sights, with the left side of the slide marked with the Manurhin address and logo and the Walther license markings, serial number on the right side of the frame, 60 degree safety, checkered grips with Manurhin logo and Walther license markings, and a French-made magazine with brown plastic extension. Included with the pistol is a maroon leatherette case with Walther-Manurhin markings inside the lid, an extra flat-base magazine and a brass cleaning rod, as well as copies of the aforementioned books.

Excellent. The blued components remain 97% intact and show bright edge wear and light handling marks. The anodization of the frame remains 90% intact and is turning a blue patina on the frontstrap and high edges, retaining a near black tone in the protected areas. The grip is fine, slightly undersized/shrunk with minor scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good, with a few light scuffs.