18APR01 It's been awhile since I've updated some of the happenings at Walther. My oppologies. Here is some of the latest. New stuff at the bottom.
Interarms of Alexandria, Virginia has announced the release of the Walther P99 chambered in .40S&W. Prices for these new caliber P99's run about the same as the 9mm models. There are adds on Guns America.com for these and many other Walther models.
is offering a threaded, extended barrel for the P99. Earl has told me these barrels are being manufactured exclusively for him by the Walther plant in Ulm, Germany. The retail price is 395.00. The chamber of the barrel will be stamped with the Walther banner, 9x19SD, the proofmark and the date stamp. Earl's Repair Service had three of these barrels left as of 26MAY99. He has placed another order, but is not likely to receive it for another year to a year and a half. He told me the entire P99 production line has to be shut down in order to change the tooling to make these barrels. This is undoubtably going to become an extremely rare factory option in the coming years. I would not be surprised to see an entry in Fjestad's blue book in a couple of years for this option. I have checked with the IDPA, and these barrels are legal for competition in the Stock Service Pistol catagory.
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Interarms has announced the availability of the PPK and PPK/S in caliber 7.65mm. Previously , these calibers were reserved only for Walther manufactured PPK's and PPK/S's. These models are only available in stainless steel at the present time. According to Interarms when contacted by me, a blued version may be offered if demand dictates and sales of the stainless models are good. For now, this is as close to Mr. Bonds Walther as you'll likely get in the States. At least untill they release a blued model. Retail prices are the same as the 9mm Kurz models
The Walther Book is an extensive collection of photos, many never before published, and an accurate text containing the entire history of the Walther Waffenfabrik from the very beginning.
Written and edited by the people at Walther, it is the last word on Walther arms. Over 400 color and black & white photos, this beautifully hardbound book is a must for anyone truly serious about their Walther collection. It is written in the native language and is priced at 125.00.
Since Earl does not have a catalog, this is the next best thing. Most if not all accesories seen in these pages are in stock at Earl's Repair Service.
Earl and Birgit are publishing a translated version, but it will not be available untill sometime in 2000. The first edition German version will undoubtably become a collectors item in the coming years. Reserve your copy now.
For the purists among us who won't settle for just any PPK, Earl has limited quantities of pre-GCA'68 PPK's available in various calibers. These are the REAL German-made models that made it into the country before the Gun Control Act of 1968, which banned importation of one of the finest Walthers made.
High polished Walther blue finishes and machinework that is gunsmithing art are what sets these PPK's apart from the rest of the pack. You don't really have a Walther PPK if it's not made in Germany at the Walther plant. Call Earl for prices and availability
Not many people are aware of this, but the P99 is originally
equipped with a white outline sight as most European pistols
are from the factory. Glock is a good example of pistols
imported with the originals intact. Many importers such as the
Interarms requests the three-dot setup for American buyers.
Now Earl's Repair Service is offering the original white outline sight to replace the two dot rear sight on Imported P99's. This is a simple swap taking five minutes to perform. Cost for the original is 40.00 plus shipping. Keep your German Walther P99 pistol ALL German Walther.
Currently on GunsAmerica.com a gentleman from Minnesota has posted a large number of rare Walthers for sale. Some of his offerings are PPK RZM marked, 98% 1600.00. Commercial PP BOTTOM
MAG RELEASE, 98% 950.00. He has many other higher priced and rarer Walthers than these examples. He has pictures too. You
should check out these photos, since you probably will never see
scarce Walthers like this again. I will be buying something from him come Febuary, I just have to decide what. (The preceding
was a Walther Collector Newsflash. It was not ment as an advertisement or endorsement for GunsAmerica.com nor the seller of said firearms)
This just in. Earl told me today that there is an Olive Drab
P99 that has been produced for the German Army. It is available
to the general public as well. Targeted at hunters, only the frame is the OD color. Same prices as the black models, only time will tell if this new option will sell. What will they think of next?
Walther has produced a Limited Edition P99. This is the Bond, James Bond Edition. It features scrollwork engraving on both sides of the slide and special markings. Right side has "007"
on the forward part, and the left side features "Her Majesties Secret Service" with scrollwork. I think it has the MI5 coat of arms, but I won't know this for a few days untill mine arrives from Earl's Repair Service. Priced at 1050.00 with a larger than normal case, European rear sight and all the normal accesories
that are included with Walther handguns. I thought at first this was a presentation case made of oak. It is not. Images to follow shortly.
There has been a report of firing pin breakage after excessive
dry firing on several Walther P99's. An e-mail recieved by me
indicated the individual dry-fired 400 times and the pin broke.
Contrary to popular opinion (mine included), Walther does not recommend dry firing any of it's pistols. There is a stonger
replacement pin available in case of breakage and I believe
replacement is covered by the warranty. This is the first case
I have heard of, though there apparently have been others in the past. I don't think dry-firing your Walther occasionally will
cause the pin to break. At least I've never broken a pin on any of my Walthers.
Today I noticed a run of press (ROP) ad in Combat Handguns
magazine for the Walther P99. The name has been changed from
"Interarms" to "Carl Walther USA" I sure hope this means good news for American made Walthers.
Gun Test magazine, the equivelent of "Consumer Reports" for the gun industry voted for the Walther P99 as Handgun of the Year.
I have not seen this copy, but will try to locate it on the web or somewhere else. The following is a brief quote from the ad described in the above note. "The Walther's workmanship and accuracy were clearly superior to Glock, H&K, and Ruger." Let's hear it for Walther! Something we already knew all along.
Published in the July issue of HANDGUNS magazine is the introduction of the SW99. A joint effort between S&W and Walther
GmßH to produce an "Americanized" P99. The frames for this SW99
are produced by Walther in Ulm, and the barrel and slide are produced by S&W. Design of the frame has been cosmetically changed, though functions the same as the original German product. The trigger gaurd has been rounded, and the stippling,
and frontstrap grooving has been altered. The slide release is now surrounded by a small molding of polymer to keep the dreaded
slide-lock from occuring during recoil. Walther has also modified the accesory rails to a Weaver-like configuration to accept a wider variety of clamp on accesories.
The slide by Smith looks nothing like the original German P99.
Though I do like the front slide serrations. I couldn't describe
the look of this slide, you'll have to find a copy of the review
and see for yourself. The controls and indicators function as the original and are in the original locations. The article states that Smith wanted something that would appeal to the American sense of asthetics when the slide was re-designed. The jury is still out on that one. The article is quite in-depth, so if you are interested in this new pistol, I would try and locate a copy
to read yourself. Suggested retail is 735.00. This pistol is a long time in coming, I just didn't think it would look like this.
Walther has released several new P99 variations to the US market.
The P990 is a DAO pistol with all of the same features of the SA/DA model. There are a few with very nice engraving on the slides, and a version called the "QPQ" which has a treated slide
that looks like it is in the white. A very sharp two-tone effect is created which looks good on this pistol. These pistols are all featured in the newest Interarms catalog, and Earl's Repair Service has imported them for sale as well. One strange ommision is the MI5 007 Limited Edition version. Possibly already
sold out? I don't know, but I'm glad I got mine when I did. For a look at these new Walthers, please visit my friends site at Ewok's P99 Home Page His site features excellent catalog photos of the new line of P99's from Walther.
In-depth information about the Models 1 through 9, the development of the P.38, and many lesser know Walthers such as the PP Super, the P4 and P.38K are all presented in this new work. Especially nice is the first attempt that I'm aware of to
estimate the number of various models produced based on extensive research and information from other collectors, old advertisements and serial numbers of the pistols.
Evaluations of each pistol are included near the end of the respective chapters, and in many cases the pistols are compared to their contemporary counterparts from other manufacturers
in areas of handling, accuracy, functioning, and overall workmanship and design.
Also included are appendices about collecting, proofmarks, ammunition and more. Over 300 B&W photos, 320 pages, softbound.
Cover price is $21.95 and worth every penny. No serious Walther collector should be without this volume in their library.
I'm not sure at what point this occured, but Walther has changed the trigger on the P99. My first P99 (SN#237) has the trigger safety and my MI5 007 Limited Edition is without this feature.
I would consider this a second variation or at least a first modification of the original design. The P.38 went through similar changes during its production as well.
For some reason there is a rumour going around that Walther is being bought by Smith and Wesson. HA! That'll be the day!
Walther Waffenfabrik is own by Umarex Corporation, Germany.
They have no intention of giving up an asset like Walther. I don't know how this crap gets started. I've heard it from distributors and other dealers alike. Well intentioned people, but ignorant about Walther's and Umarex's activities.
Smith & Wesson will continue to import the P99 in 9mm and .40S&W
calibers for the US market. Earl's Repair Service is another major importer of all Walther products from Germany.
Walther Germany has announced the manufacture of the Last Edition PP and PPK. This signals the end of a long era of these fine pistols. The PPK will not be available in the US because of the GCA of '68, but it may be possible to get the PP through Earl's Repair Service. I've not checked on this yet with Earl. These pistols will be engraved with "Last Edition PP 1929-1999" and the PPK with have on it, "Last Edition PPK 1931-1999" These are extremely limited production items. A certificate of authenticity
is included with each and all of the normal accesories that come with all Walthers. Prices are 1.795,00 DM each, or about $970.00
US dollars. When these are gone, that will be the end of production for the PP and PPK forever.
This is a direct quote from a friend of mine at Shooter's in response to a question I asked about the reprint of Warren Buxton's Walther Collector's books:
"Warren's books are THE definitive work on the P.38, HP, pre-war, wartime, and post-war Pistols; these are the only models covered by this set. Warren also has a fourth vol. in preparation which I hope will be ready for publication next year. He will add new information from the past to update the 3 existing volumes. The original printing has been out of print for at least 3-4 years and they are so popular, people are paying the exhoribitant prices to get the information contained in them. I have refused to buy them because the price was TOO HIGH. Now, I can enjoy and hopefully learn more about this great pistol. One of the things about the books is that he added new information to each volume as they were published, so you almost have to look at each volume to gain full information on any question you are looking to solve. The ISBN number is Vol. 1, 0-87833-303-7, Vol. 2, 0-96-140240-7, Vol. 3, 0-96140240-1-5."
In an earlier post he said that original volumes were selling for as high as $1200.00 US. The reprints are quite a bargain compared to the originals. Get them while you can. These will probably go up in price to after the reprint is over.
Walther has announced the introduction of a new .22 caliber semi-auto pistol.
About 3/4 the size of the P99, it also has the same basic look and feel of its larger brother. Due to be released in the States any day now. They are available for advanced orders from Earl's Repair Service...who else!
There are three models to choose from; the First edition model, the standard model and one with an extended (but not threaded) barrel. Call Earl for prices or visit his website.
This long awaited volume is now available for the German challenged collector.
Just as informative and colorful as the German edition but now understandable for the American masses. Again, call Earl for prices.
Earl has once again brought back from Germany fine Walther accessories for the P99. Here is a sample of what is available. Dummy flash suppressor, flash hider,
(these two items require the threaded barrel..Duh, new sights ala the LaChase model plus new combat target sights and night sights. Too many more to list. Visit his site for more.
This page will be updated as new products and
news becomes available.
Current as of 03AUG01
Gene Gangarosa Jr., the author of "P.38 Automatic Pistol"
and numerous other titles, has written a new book about Walther handguns. Entitled "The Walther Handgun Story", it is authoritative and informative with many black & white photos
never before published.