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LOT 437
Rare World War II Walther PPK Semi-Automatic Pistol with
Duralumin Frame and Party Leader Grip, Attributed by Letter to
the Personal Collection of Noted Author and Walther Expert James
Rankin - Serial no. 396253k, 7.65 mm auto cal., 3 1/4 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, plastic grips. Manufactured c.1942-1943, the “Honor Weapon
of the Political Leaders” was a presentation item to leadership figures at
multiple levels of the NSDAP. With the exception of the grip, which bears a
prominent NSDAP “reichsadler” in lieu of the conventional Walther banner,
the Party Leader PPK is virtually indistinguishable from a standard PPK.
Per information in James Rankin’s “Walther Volume III” (page 154) the black
plastic Party Leader grip is chiefly associated with wartime production
PPKs, and while he made no specific comment on the use of duralumin
frames there is an implication that the Party wouldn’t have been picky
about material. Further, included correspondence dating from 1995
indicates that a prior owner purchased this pistol direct from Rankin; the
buyer had reservations about the pistol because they acquired Rankin’s
“Walther Models PP & PPK 1929-1945” and it appeared to contradict the
author’s statements about the pistol, to which the author responded (by
letter, included with lot) that new information came to light between
publication of the first book (1972) and Volume III (1981). Fixed sights, with
the Walther banner, address and model marking on the left side of the
slide, matching external serial numbers, and “Eagle/N” proofs on the slide,
chamber hood and muzzle. The frame is duralumin construction, with a
60 degree safety on the steel slide, ring hammer, and the aforementioned
correct metal reinforced black plastic Party Leader grip. The included
replacement holster is black leather with no Party Leader markings,
bearing a faint 1942 dated maker’s mark inside the flap, and is for a
different pistol.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% of the original blue and black anodized
finish, showing some light edge wear and handling marks, with light
spotting on the slide and some scratches on the chamber hood. The
grip is fine, with a reglued diagonal crack visible at the top right, sharp
checkering, and strong detail in the eagles. Mechanically excellent. The
holster is fair, with cracks and scuffs.
Provenance: The James Rankin Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
LOT 438
Cased Pair of 1939 Iron Cross Bars
with Ribbon - Introduced for issue to
men who had earned the 1914 pattern
Iron Cross and later earned the 1939
pattern, the “Spange” (bar) was added to
the button ribbon for the 2nd Class, and
worn on the uniform immediately above
the 1st Class, to denote the second award.
1) 2nd Class bar, 1 1/8 inch wide, with 4
prongs on the rear. No makers marks are
visible. 2) 1st Class bar, 1 3/4 inch wide,
with a small proof on the barrel hinged
clasp. Both bars are in a red leatherette
case with a black and white ribbon.
Embossed Nazi Eagle on case lid is faint.
CONDITION: 1) Very good, with strong
detail and attractive finish. 2) Excellent,
with light handling marks. The case shows
some minor wear.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000