This is a fabulous example of an original factory engraved Walther Model 1926 hammerless "Sport Model" target pistol manufactured circa 1925. This early pre-war pistol is probably a one of a kind model due to the fact that it has been lavish embellishments with an extreme high level of deep relief undercut engraving. The 1926 was the first in a series of 22 target pistols developed and manufactured by the Walther factory. The 1926 and later 1932 models were actually used by the German Olympic pistol teams in the 1932 and again in the 1936 Olympic Games. As noted, this exact pistol has been beautifully factory engraved in a wonderful, deep relief vine and floral type pattern with a punch-dot back ground that is intermixed with edelweiss flowers on top of the slide combined with a fine scroll/leaf border pattern. The engraving/embellishment covers approximately 75% of the metal surfaces with the only area not engraved being the front exposed section of the barrel. The engraving covers the full frame, slide, top rear section of the barrel, the full front of the grip strap and trigger guard bow, sides of the trigger, magazine base plate and even the grip screw heads. Additionally, the top of the barrel/chamber area has also been engraved with a high detailed, standing rendition of the Roman goddess Diana. She was the Goddess of the Hunt, the Moon and Nature and was widely glorified and depicted in various Germanic images by Hitler. The front grip strap has also been engraved with a small circular pistol target showing multiple bullets holes through the target, obviously indicating that this model was considered by the Walther factory as one of their prized, highly accurate target pistols. (Reportedly the target was an exact duplication of a high ranking Nazi's marksmanship skill.) Regardless, this model as well as the later 1932 and 1936 models were an extremely well made and highly accurate pistols, that featured a blowback operating system with a fixed barrel that was mounted into the frame with an internal hammer with a skeletonized type slide to help reduce the recoil. It has a fixed front and rear sights with the front sight having a removable front sight blade. It was also fitted with a one-piece walnut grip with a thumb rest on the right side that has been beautifully carved in a complimentary vine pattern in antique ivory inlay. This same pattern of carving inlay has been noted on other highly engraved and or embellished presentation grade Mauser pistols; specifically the Model 1896, 1912/14, 1910 and 1914 pistols. The front left side of the slide is marked "Walthers Patent" with the rear area marked with the traditional "Walther" inside a Banner. The right side is marked: "Cal.22 longrifle" followed by the one line, "Waffenfabrik Walther Zella-Mehlis (Thur.)" markings. It has the pre-war "Crown/N" commercial proofs on the slide and twice on the side of the barrel, with all proofs outlined in the geometric engraving. It comes with an original Walther magazine that is numbered "83" on the side, but it has the same exact style of engraving/embellishments on the baseplate as the rest of the pistol. This is a beautiful presentation grade Walther model 1926 target pistol. The pistol has a high polished blue metal finish. The serial number and two "Crown/ N" proofmarks are located on the right side of the barrel directly above the trigger.