During the massive German re-arming of the late 1930s, the Thiel factories in Muhlhausen, Seebach, and Ruhla were manufacturers of clockwork fuses for artillery shells. As an important part of the German re-arming effort, the Theil plants were issued approximately 30 Walther PPK pistols each. It is known that the Muhlhausen plant was initially staffed by skilled workers and later by Eastern European (Poles and Hungarians) and Jewish prisoners from the nearby Buchenwald concentration camp. The Muhlhausen pistols are known to be marked with an "M" along with the inventory number. This pistol does not have the "M" indicating this pistol was issued to one of the other two plants. Standard fixed blade and notch sights, Walther banner logo followed by the two-line address, patent, and caliber markings; and model marking on the left side of the slide, pre-war commercial "crown/N" Proofs, 90 degree decocking safety, and checkered Walther banner grips. The front grip strap has been engraved with the Thiel logo of the company name superimposed over a clock pendulum by the inventory number "9." With replacement finger extension magazine. With only 90 known as being issued to the Thiel plants, this is an exceptionally rare pre-war PPK pistol.