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From Hitler's Bunker to James Bond; The Walther PPK

By: Randall Graham

Walther PPK


The Walther PPK had plenty of company during Germany's massive military buildup in the 1930's. Its own kin, the P38 was succeeding older classics such as the Luger P08 Parabellum, Mauser C96, Sauer, and neighboring Hungary and Czechoslovakia were producing many other models. Many pistols resemble the PPK in its sleek, streamlined appearance, but runaway popularity and success has made it a legend in a class of its own, head and shoulders above the rest.. The PPK was (and still is) made of very high-quality materials, and known for its accuracy and durability, and its appearance has changed little from the 1931 original. Classic German engineering has again produced an object of desire among those who can appreciate it. Currently, the PPK is available in .32 ACP, and .380 ACP caliber, and there are many variations and finishes.

The Walther PPK is one of the most famous pistols of all time, and takes its rightful place in history. As the favored pistol of Ian Fleming's fictional British Secret Agent, James Bond, it's also the pistol that Adolf Hitler used to commit suicide in the Furherbunker as the Soviet Red Army was mercilessly closing in on the Reichschancellery on April, 30, 1945. This was one of the defining moments of 20th Century history, and the Walther PPK played a part. By most accepted historical accounts, he bit into a glass ampoule of cyanide and pulled the trigger against his temple simultaneously. His mistress, Eva Braun, whom he had wed some 2 days earlier, committed suicide with him, followed by several of his top staff. All their bodies were burned in a bomb crater outside one of the bunker's doors. Thus ended one of history's most notorious regimes, and the result had a profound impact on the future of Europe and the world for decades to come.

The designation PPK is commonly known as Polizeipistole Kriminalmodell (Police Pistol Detective Model) or Polizeipistole Kurz (Short Police Pistol). Whichever designation is preferred, both would be accurate. Production of the Walther PPK began in 1931 by Carl Walther Waffenfabrik in the German state of Thuringia, and was sold commerically to civilians, as well as issued to the Reichswehr/Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe , various police forces and government officials. In 1945, the Thuringian factory was destroyed by allied bombing, and the postwar occupation of the newly divided Germany and reparation restrictions imposed by them forced Walther to license and shift production to a French company, Manurhin (Manufacture de Machines du Haut-Rin). In 1953, production was resumed by Walther in Ulm, West Germany, although it also continued in France for decades. Today, through a number of mergers and licensing agreements with Smith and Wesson, Colt, and Umarex Sportwaffen GmbH, the Carl Walther Sportwaffen GmbH name lives on, and continues to produce some very futuristic products, that are moving into the 21st Century--and very much look the part!--and best of all, they still make the legendary PPK.

Article Source: https://www.collectibles-articles.com

Randall Graham is an internet marketer and author and fan of history. He is also a co-author of the blog, "The Non-Smoking Gun".

Reenactors, history buffs and gun fanciers will find authentic non-firing, black powder and blank-firing replicas of historic and classic firearms of the American Revolution, Civil War, Old West, both World Wars and the 20th Century at GunsOfOld.com. Other items of interest include Old West badges, Civil War and World War reenactor gear, holsters and other leather goods.

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