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"You are about to embark upon the great crusade toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you...I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle."
- General Dwight D. Eisenhower, D-Day, June 6, 1944.
General Gotthard Heinrici
The engraving is sharply executed and well in line with documented Walther presentation pistols, with finely cut oak leaf and acorn motifs on many surfaces, plus bead, checkerboard, and geometric accents on some components. A few of the small components have a plated finish. As noted, the smooth grip panels have the carved Knight’s Cross on the left and “GH” on the right, set into oval panels with textured black filler in the backgrounds. The included magazine is properly marked, with a matching white plastic extension base. Both the pistol and magazine fit in
a Walther factory pattern presentation case, with a red leatherette exterior and a white velvet inner lining with “WALTHER/PP” in gold print inside the lid; while not explicitly noted in DeCaire’s letter, it can be seen in the photos of him with the two described pistols.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, showing some minor spotting and a few small
areas of brown patina on the original bright in-the-white metal, along with a few mild handling marks. The left grip panel shows some chipping and cracking in the vicinity of the safety lever, with both sides showing some flaking of the background material, with an attractive grain pattern and aged color. The case is rough, with the latch hardware absent and a number of scuffs and tears. Mechanically excellent. An attractive display of Walther craftsmanship, liberated directly from the factory itself with solid provenance and an interesting connection to one of the historic World War II big players on the Eastern Front.
Estimate: 90,000 - 140,000
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