The assumption that “W” stands for “Wehrmacht” needs proof. From serial number 172 000K onwards the numbering was carried out consistently up to 431 097K - with one exception: In 1939 there were two serial number blocks (about 4800 PPKs) where the suffix “K” was replaced by “ W” (SN 185 440W - 189 270W and SN 193 930W - 195 710W). Walther PPK : Beyond serial number 999 800 there were about 9 670 PPKs produced with seven digit numbers (1 000 001 to 1 009 670) - the so-called “million series”. But there is no proof or piece of evidence for that. The very last PPs, which were ever made, allegedly had the suffix “ R” instead of “P”. From 100 000P to about 399 000P the numbering was carried out consistently up to the last days of World War Two, when the suffix “P” was dropped again. From about 998 784P to about 999 930P the first digit was omitted and the serial number had only five digits left - e.g. Walther PP : In the serial number range from 997 950 to about 998 080 there was simply the suffix “P” added to the serial number. This alteration was not carried out at once and consistently though:

The suffix “ P” was added to the serial numbers of the Walther PP, resp. In 1938 (presumably in April) Walther had to change their serial number system for two reasons:Ī) The “magical” number 1 000 000 was almost reached.ī) Because of the arming of the German “Wehrmacht” (army, navy and air force) Walther became a large armament concern and had to restructure their operating system and their forms of organization. PPKs of the “Polizeidirektion München” (“PDM”) - see there. for the PPKs of the “Reichszeugmeisterei” (“RZM”) and the PPs resp. Some serial number blocks, however, were used exclusively for special contracts - e.g. Until the introduction of the suffixes “P” and “K” both models were consecutively numbered in a joint serial number range. This means that any PP/PPK with a serial number indicating a production before January 1940 may nonetheless have the “Eagle over N” proof marks.Ĭ) The proof law, which determined the transition from “Crown over N” to “Eagle over N” was enacted halfway through the year 1939, but implemented as late as January 1940 only. Then the dates of production and proof firing can differ. It is extremely difficult to date PPs/PPKs according to the serial numbers - for several reasons:Ī) Walther did not always produce a pistol for each consecutive serial number.ī) During the production process whole batches of pistols with consecutive serial numbers were set aside for future use - e.g. Walther PP/PPK Serial Numbers and Proof-firing:

Walther ppk serial number search