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  • /Lot 1580

Lot 1580:Walther Prototype Pistol 22 LR

December 2nd, 2011|Rock Island, IL
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  • /Lot 1580

Lot 1580:Walther Prototype Pistol 22 LR

December 2nd, 2011|Rock Island, IL
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Estimated Price$10,000 - $20,000
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Extraordinary Unique Pre-War Walther Olympia-Sport Pistole Prototype Based on the "Colt Woodsman" Frame/Grip Design and Barrel Weights

This is a unique, one of a kind (no one has ever seen another example), pre-war Walther Olympia-Sport model Pistole that features a prototype designed frame that is identical to the early Colt Woodsman. The Colt Woodsman design was very popular with large sales in the U.S. and probably influenced Walther to develop a similar frame to compete with Colt which dominated the target market. The serial number of this example (5629) indicates that the production of this pistol was probably fairly early in the 1936 pistol production cycle before they went to the 1936 Funkampf and Jadgerschafts Pistole. However, it still utilizes the 1932 Walther pistol barrel design (with the front sight base on the barrel) along with the 1936 Olympia model slide and safety design and then of course, the Woodsman frame/grip design itself. The other unique or early design aspect of this pistol is that it has a special under-barrel attachment for barrel weights. This design actually incorporates a long barrel weight as the actual attaching bar, which is screwed onto the very front underside of the frame with the front barrel bracket sliding over the muzzle of the barrel and then screwing into the front of the barrel weight. The second barrel weight then is just attached to the other barrel weight in a stair-step fashion. There is a similar barrel weight attachment shown in the book "Walther Vol III, 1908-1980 on page 62. The left side of the slide has the standard Walther Olympia markings that consist of "WALTHER" in a banner, next to the two line "Waffenfabrik Walther, Zella-Mehlis (Thur)/Walther's Patent" with "Olympia-Pistole" directly behind that. The left rear section of the frame is stamped with the serial number "5629". It is complete with one original, matching blued magazine, which is also similar to the Colt woodsman design that is numbered on the lower left side "29". The pistol is fitted with a removable front sight blade (to adjust for point of aim) along with an adjustable (for windage) blade rear sight. This pistol is complete with the original WWII capture documents dated Sept 1945 listing this exact pistol. Major P.W. Constance (who the papers are made for) was part of the special ordnance team "TSFET" sent to the Walther factory in April/May of 1945 to identify and collect weapons and technology of an unusual nature to be sent back to Aberdeen Proving Grounds.TSFET was Theater Services Forces European Theater, with an ordance detachment.

ConditionUnused, with 99% of the original blue finish overall with only very minor edge and high spot wear overall. The rear grip strap has minor surface rust present. The walnut grips are also in excellent condition overall showing nice original sharp checkering overall with only a couple of minor handling marks. The diamond surrounding the grip screw is an interesting tribute by Walther to Colt. A very unique and one of a kind experimental Walther Olympia-pistol based on the Colt-Woodsman. This is perhaps the rarest Olympia in existence that would be the centerpiece of any collection.
Details
ManufacturerWalther
ModelPrototype
TypePistol
Serial number
ClassCurio & Relic Handgun
Caliber / Gauge22 LR
Barrel8 5/8 inch
Finishblue
Gripwalnut checkered

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views2906
Catalog page34
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