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LOT 518
Walther PPK Semi- Automatic Pistol with Gold Inscription and Holster - Serial no. 914361, 7.65 mm auto cal., 3 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. Manufactured in the 1930s with the early 90 degree safety, “crown/N” proofs, and a matching hand-numbered slide. The standard markings and external serial number are gold filled, with the inscription “Walter Herrmann/Uelzen/Han.” on the right side. Uelzen is a small town in Hanover, formerly part of the Hanseatic League. Herrmann has not been positively identified, though there was a Nazi nuclear scientist by that name. Seeking both nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons, the Nazi program was hamstrung on multiple levels. Even before it began, many of Germany’s brightest minds had fled from a regime that was either hostile against them in a generic fashion (the party being generally anti-intellectual and belligerent) or in the case of the Jewish contingent of the universities directly wished them ill. Then, when the program was underway, efforts were divided, competing for attention and resources, in contrast to the unification of Britain’s early “Tube Alloys” work with the centralized American “Manhattan Project”. In the aftermath of WWII, much of Herrmann’s work wound up captured by the Americans, while the man himself wound up in Soviet hands. Like several other German scientists, he found himself in the custody/ employ of the Experimental Design Bureau, a set of secret R&D establishments maintained as part of the Soviet gulag prison system, working with a mix of “recruited” Nazis and Soviet intellectuals who found themselves on the party’s bad side. Later released to East Germany, he spent time in academia while also actively working in the field of steam power. Two magazines are included, one flat base and one with an extension colored to match the grips. The included holster is unmarked and the closure strap and belt loop are made from leather, and the body and magazine pouch are constructed from an unidentified material, possibly plastic. These sort of “ersatz” (substitute) holsters became increasingly common as World War II made resources like leather scarce. CONDITION: Fine, with 60% of the blue finish, showing areas of brown touch-up, bright edge wear and scattered handling marks. The grips are very good, bending slightly at the top edges, with a few light scratches and dings. The holster is very good, with a tear in the edge of the flap and some mild scuffs and stains overall. The follower in the extension base magazine has been altered to not engage the hold-open; otherwise, the pistol is mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 519
Engraved and Gold Finished Pre-World War II Walther PPK Semi-Automatic Pistol with Extra Magazine and Case - Serial no. 175525k, 22
LR cal., 3 1/4 inch round bbl., gold finish, plastic grips. Manufactured in the 1930s, the frame and matching numbered slide of this PPK have been subsequently
gold finished and custom engraved on most of the surface, featuring classic Germanic oak leaf motifs and some scroll and checkerboard accents. The standard markings are preserved, with “crown/N” proofs on the muzzle and chamber. Fitted with a wraparound grip and two magazines, one with matching colored extension base, the other flat. Also included is a blue leatherette case with a French-cut interior for the pistol and extra magazine. CONDITION: Very fine as custom embellished, with 85% of the fine gold finish, showing bright wear on the edges and some light handling marks. About 90% of the blue finish is present on the smaller parts. The grips are fine, slightly shrunken and bending, with a few light dings and scratches. The case is fine, though the interior cuts are a bit roomy in the grip extension regions. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
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