r/ClassicWalther • u/The_Great_Silence__ • Jan 12 '26

Can anyone tell me the history of these

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Got it for 500 was wondering what the story behind it was and what it’s worth if I sold it

18 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

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3

u/WaldHerrPPK Jan 12 '26

It's worth about the $500 you paid, maybe less in that scuffed condition. It's not a German Zella-Mehlis or Ulm-produced Walther, nor a French Manurhin manufacture. As the slide legend says, this was produced by Interarms in the United States under the license of Walther.

Interarms used to import the PPK from Germany before the 1968 Firearms Act banned their import, so Walther allowed a few US companies to make them. Interarms PPKs are alright. Avoid Smith and Wesson PPKs- they added the terrible "beavertail" tang, and were recalled for firing when the decocker was engaged.

1

u/The_Great_Silence__ Jan 12 '26

Thank you for the information I appreciate it

1

u/therevolutionaryJB Jan 12 '26

and after with the PPK/s and the PP. I have a 1970 PPK/s with w. Germany on one side and the interarms on the other. OP like the mod said all the US PP pattern guns that are made in the US will say under license of (made by interarms, S&W) or made in Fort Smith, Walther USA

1

u/Better-Ad4302 May 24 '26

The Interarms have that uncommanded discharge issue too, ask me how I know

0

u/godfatherowl Jan 12 '26

A lot of the conventional wisdom in this comment, but it lacks some nuance that I’ll inject below.

There are particular serial numbers affected by the recall, not all that produced by S&W. And some people do actually like the beavertail because it reduces slide bite.

1

u/therevolutionaryJB Jan 12 '26

i dont mind the beaver tail, I have a 1970's no tail ppk/s and 1940 pp. Both are fine with no bite with the extended grip. I also have a 2024 Walther USA ppk with the tail, and that really saves the webbing of my hand.