This is an unbelievable find for the truly advanced Walther pistol collector. This could possibly be the earliest known Walther PP prototype or pre-production pistol still existing today. This example is truly a "one of a kind" pistol in that it's extremely early. It survived the Walther testing and then made it throughout WWII unscathed, returned to this country and has remained in its original unaltered condition. The Walther PP pistols were first produced starting sometime in 1928 with the serial number range starting at approximately 750000. In the excellent book "Walther Models PP and PPKs" by Rankin he indicated at that time the earliest documented Walther PP was at approximately serial number 750252 in the past sold serial number "750137", both of which are also extremely early. However this example is even earlier that exhibits many unique features never seen on the later production models. This pistol is numbered on the left side of the frame, in the ejector slot with number "750007". We believe that this is actually the true Walther factory serial number as it is frame number "750007/1" of probably a small lot of, maybe 10 or so prototype frames that were intended to go through some type of final verification and or testing at the factory. The number "1" stamped on the front of the grip strap of this pistol (not engraved or milled) may indicate that this was the first approved production or test model. This wonderful pistol exhibits several unique early features some of which are: 1) The slide legend is almost opposite of the standard Walther markings in that its reversed and is marked: "Waffenfabrik Walther,Zella-Melis-(Thur.)/Walther's Patent Cal.7.65m/m" followed by a very small "WALTHER" inside a banner. 2) The safety lever is of a larger size on the serrated end and has a wider safety lever arm than the standard pistol. 3) The firing pin and rotating safety inside the slide is completely different than the standard production models. This example has completely enclosed "two-piece" firing pin. The shorter rear section of the firing pin appear to be spring loaded and enclosed inside the round section of the safety (on the inside of the slide) with the longer front section of the firing pin inside the regular firing pin slot inside the slide. This slot for the firing pin also has a small sheet metal cover to prevent any dirt and or firing residue from getting into the firing pin and spring. 4) It has a color casehardened trigger and a straw colored hammer; both features have not been observed on later Walther PP pistols. 5) It has an "angled" magazine release button with the checkered face while all later production models have a "flat" release button with the checkered face. 6) The ejector on all standard production model PPs has a small "wire spring" located on top of the front section of the ejector to keep it in place in the frame, while this example has a spring loaded plunger on the front end of the ejector that pushed against the rear end of the frame or barrel support. 7) It is also still equipped with the very scarce "first type" open follower type magazine that has an early "all steel" finger rest on the base of the magazine. The magazine itself is unmarked and has the same general configuration as the standard magazines except the follow has the "open" unsupported front end of the follower. These early style open follower magazines are only seen up through the 753000 serial number range. All later production models have the short leg on the front end of the follower to keep them from tipping/jamming during actual use. The finger rest on this magazine as noted is an all steel machined version that is attached to the underside of the base plate. All later production models have a plastic finger rest. The frame, slide and chamber area still have the standard "Crown/N" commercial firing proof, and it has the standard fixed sights. This rare pistol is fitted with two-piece set of checkered walnut grips. The right inside area of the frame, the top front end of the trigger guard and the back side of the right grip are all stamped with assembly number "8". Additionally there is a very small import mark on the underside of the frame.

Excellent with 97% plus of its original pre-war blued finish overall, and high spot wear with some slight thinning on the heal of the frame. The casehardened trigger retains 90% original finish. The hammer retains 95% original straw colors. The safety retains 98% dark nitre blue. The grips are in very fine condition with nice distinct checkering on both sides showing light wear across the tops of the checkered diamonds with some minor handling marks in a couple places. An import mark is present on butt near right grip panel. A very unique and truly one-of-a-kind Walther Prototype Number "1" Semi-Automatic Pistol.