This is a truly extraordinary, all original Walther Presentation PPK pistol with slide inscription and party leader grips. These Walther pistols were introduced in 1929 and used by all members of the German Military so many thousand were produced and of those, the rarest and most sought after are pistols with Party Leader (PL) grips, Slide presentations and or engraving. This example has two of those RARE features; slide inscription and Party Leader grips. The PL grips were only authorized on PPKs that were to be carried by high ranking member of the German military and this specific example falls right in the middle of the noted serial number range, (see Rankin Walther PPK and PP Pistols pg 98). It is also fitted with a Walther factory presentation inscription on the left side of the slide which reads, "Ehrenpreis zum Wettkampf Pistolenschiessen des Gaues Franken (over) der NSDAP am 11. u.12.Juni 1938 in Feucht", a basic translation is, "First Prize from a pistol shooting competition in the district of Franken by the NSDAP 11 to 12 June 1938". During this time frame Julius Stricher was the Party Leader or Gauliter of Franken and was probably instrumental in setting up these pistol matches and probably personally ordered the pistol from Walther factory. Julius Stricher eventually became a high ranking Party Leader official who was well known by Hitler. The left side of the slide has the standard slide markings of the Walther banner followed by "Waffenfabrik Walther, Zella Mehlis (Thur)/Walthers Patent Cal 7.65 m/m" and "MOD PPK", with a Crown "N" proof on the right side of the slide and chamber. It is fitted with the standard fixed front and rear sights. The pistol has the correct, mottled brown, checkered one-piece, wrap around plastic grips with the large Party Leader spread wing German Eagle clutching the Swastika in a Wreath. It is complete with a standard Walther marked magazine with mottled brown finger extension. This pistol is complete with a set of WWII capture documents dated 23 October 1945, indicating that this pistol was captured by T/Sgt Bernard C. Frain. Additionally, there is an email from a member of the National Automatic Pistol Collectors Association to the consignor indicating that he also has a Walther PPK with PL grips that is seven digits away from the serial number of this pistol, which additionally validates the originality of this pistol.

Excellent overall with approximately 97-98% of the original Walther factory blue finish showing some minor edge and high spot wear with a little more wear on the very front edges of the slide. The inscription is clear and sharp and is certainly 100% original. The original Party Leader grips are also in excellent condition with a little warpage at the top on both sides (common in PPK grips) with exception of a barely noticeable hairline crack around the grip screw. It has a matching numbered slide. Certainly one of the rarest of the Walther PPKs that we have had the opportunity to offer at auction.