Fitted into a custom made display case, 24 3/4 inches wide by 18 5/8 inches tall with a sliding plexiglass cover and French-cut red felt lining, this lot consists of all nine of Walther's "numbered" model semi-automatic pistols, representing the firm's initial entry into the semi-automatic handgun market. The Number 1 was introduced in 1908, and was the very first Walther semi-auto. Blade and groove sights, with "WALTHER'S SELBSTLADE-PISTOLE CAL 635/D.R.P. & AUSLANDPATENTE" on the slide, with "crown/N" proofmarks, hold-open device in the trigger guard, and checkered "CW" monogram grips.

Very fine, with 80% of the faded blue finish, showing some mild spotting and bright edge wear. Around half of the fiery nitre blue is present on the trigger and catch, with a mixed gray patina and spotting on the remainder. The grips are good, with a chip displaced on the right panel and mild dings and scuffs. The case is very good, with a few sections of absent lining hidden by the pistols and some light exterior scuffs. Mechanically excellent.

Introduced in 1909, only one year after Walther entered the handgun market, the Model Number 2 was a refinement of the Number 1. Post and groove sight, slide marked "SELBSTLADE-PISTOLE CAL. 6.35. WALTHER'S-PATENT." on the left side over the Walther banner, "crown/N" proofs and a pair of "CW" marked grips. Included with the pistol is a capture certificate dated 11 November 1945, made out to a Dorothy M. Rutherford by a Captain Louise Black of the Women's Army Corps for this pistol (identified by serial number) and a holster (not included). Rutherford was born in Oklahoma and enlisted in Los Angeles on January 15, 1943. A number of WAC units are known to have been deployed to the European Theater where procuring local or captured handguns was a popular activity, both for keepsakes and for a defensive weapon for those not issued a 1911A1.

Very good, with 80% of the period refinished blue, showing some bright wear on the high edges, hints of a brown patina and mild handling marks. The grips are very good, with a few light scratches. Mechanically excellent.

Introduced in 1910, the Model 3 was one of the first 7.65mm pocket pistols to be accepted by the European arms market, drawing heavily from the design of the Walther Model 2, though with a reconfigured ejection port and beefed-up construction. Though well made, the introduction of the Model 4 pistol rendered the Model 3 obsolete shortly after introduction, limiting overall production. Blade front and slide groove rear sights, "crown/N" proofs on the slide and barrel, the one-line caliber and patent markings on the left side of the slide, matching numbers on the slide and frame, deeply cut slide serrations, external extractor, and checkered "CW" monogram grips.

Fine, with 75% of the original blue finish, showing a few areas of brown and gray patina, bright edge wear, minor dings and light handling marks. The grips are very fine, with a few light scuffs. Mechanically excellent.

Introduced in 1910 shortly after the Model 3, with an extended barrel and longer grips. It found acceptance as a police-issued firearm and private purchase sidearm for German soldiers. Blade front and dovetailed notch rear sights, "crown/N" proofs on the chamber, slide and frame, matching partial number on the underside of the slide, "WALTHER'S - PATENT Cal. 7,65" over the Walther banner on the left side, and the one-line Zella-Mehlis address on the right. Fitted with checkered "CW" monogram grips and marked "P.A.B.1." (possibly a police or division code) on the front strap.

Very fine, with 80% of the original blue finish, showing some bright edge wear, mild spotting, areas of brown and gray patina and mild handling marks overall. The grips are fine, with a few thin cracks in the underside of the left panel and the occasional light rub or scuff. Mechanically excellent.

Introduced around 1913, this third variation Model 5 pistol is in many ways and update of the Model 2. Fixed blade and notch sights, Walther banner on the left side of the slide beneath the patent and caliber markings, the address on the reverse, and checkered "CW" monogram grips.

Fine, with 85% of the original blue finish, showing some bright edge wear and light handling marks. The recoil spring collar is dented, interfering with slide cycling, otherwise the pistol is mechanically good. The grips are very fine, with a few light scratches.

Manufactured in limited numbers during the First World War (around 1915-1917), the Model 6 was Walther's first 9mm Parabellum chambered pistol as well as their first attempt to enter the full-size military pistol market. Blade front and notch rear sights, left side of the slide marked "Selbstlade-Pistole Cal.9m/m. Walther's-Patent.", matching partial serial number on the inside, and the early one-line address "Carl Walther, Waffenfabrik, Zella St. Bl." on the right. Zella-St. Blasii was one of the communities merged together to form Zella-Mehlis in 1919, which would remain Walther's headquarters until the post-WWII Soviet occupation. Niter blue external extractor, combination thumb safety/slide stop, and checkered "CW" monogram grips. While some Model 6 pistols are seen with "GERMANY" or "MADE IN GERMANY" markings, indicating commercial export to the United States, this pistol has no such marking, suggesting sale in the German domestic market.

Excellent, with 90% plus of the original blue finish, showing some scratches on the underside of the frame ahead of the trigger guard, bright edge wear, and some mild handling marks. The grips are very fine, with a few light scuffs and some marring of the screw heads. Mechanically excellent.

Introduced in 1917, the Model 7 was Walther's largest 6.35mm pistol in the numbered models, and was reportedly a popular private purchase weapon for German officers in WWI. Fixed sights, one line caliber and patent markings above the Walther banner on the left side of the slide, early Zella-St. Blasii address on the reverse, "crown/N" chamber, slide and frame proofs and matching partial number on the slide. Fitted with an external extractor, combination safety and slide catch, and checkered "CW" monogram grips.

Very good, with 70% of the refinished blue over faint marking and light pitting. A few thin cracks are forming in the frame around the ejector, which are concealed by the grip and slide. The grips are good, with some light age cracking. Mechanically excellent.

Introduced in 1920, the Model 8 was Walther's first post-war handgun, and in many ways is a forerunner of the legendary PP and PPK pistols. Blade front and notch rear sights, both of which are dovetailed into the slide and drift adjustable, as opposed to the integral fixed sights typically seen on the Model 8, and a set of contoured wrap-around checkered grips; notes supplied by the consignor attribute both of these features to the factory as one of only two known factory configured Walther Model 8 Pistols, and reports that author Warren Buxton identified this specific pistol as a winner at a 1925 German shooting competition (no documentation included). The left side of the slide is marked with "Walther's Patent Mod 8." over a Walther banner, the Zella-Mehlis address on the right side of slide, "crown/N" proofs, and grip medallions monogrammed "KG" (left side) and a silhouette target depicting the winning shots (right side).

Fine, with 80% of the original blue finish, showing some bright edge wear, mild spotting and a few areas of brown and gray patina. The period custom made grip is very good, with a few scuffs and dings. Mechanically excellent.

Introduced in 1921, the Model 9 was a vest pocket gun small enough to go head to head with the John Browning designed Colt 1908 and FN Baby pistols. In addition to the standard markings and "crown/N" proofs, the top of the slide is silver inlaid "SPECIALLY MADE FOR/CHAS. A. HEYER & CO. NAIROBI". This pistol is photographed on page 55 of Charles Rankin's "Walther Volume III 1908-1980". The firm of Charles Heyer & Company was active in the early 20th century in British East Africa (later Kenya) and German East Africa (later Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania), being one of the largest arms merchants and expedition outfitters in Nairobi as well as an active exporter of live animals, land auctioneers and fiber exporters. Fitted with checkered Walther banner grips.

Very fine, with 90% plus of the original blue finish, showing some bright edge wear and light handling marks overall. The silver inlay shows some light rubbing on the "H" in "CHAS.", but otherwise shows a well aged dark color. The grips are very fine, with some light warpage on the bottom. Mechanically excellent.