Walther Models 4 and 7
Walther Models 4 and 7
The Walther Model 4 was first manufactured in 1910. It is the larger of the two pistols in the image. This was in production untill 1929. It is a blowback single action design and is chambered in 7.65mm. It was used in the German army during WWI and also by police agencies as the
standard service pistol. My how times (and weapons) have changed. The hammer is internal hidden by the slide and ejects casings to the left. The Model 3 and P5 also eject to the left.
This is a fourth variation Model 4 built in 1928 or 1929. The slide serations are very close together and the pistol is marked Waffenfabrik-Walther Zella-Mehlis (Thür)" This slide marking is what distinguishes the fourth from the third variation. Only about 20,000 of the fouth variation were made and is less seldom seen than the third variation. Earlier first and second variations have fewer and widely spaced serations on the slide and are marked "Zella St. Blassi". Another indicator of this being a fourth variation is that the trigger bar is not visible as on the first two variations. It also has a small rear sight. The first ones only had a sunken groove in the slide top to align the front sight with.
This example has had the safety replaced and is wearing some kind of modified grip that I was told was for a model that had a lanyard ring at this location. Too bad too, they are in excellent condition. I have a source for these parts and will return it to original condition soon. Finish is overall about 90%. It is a small pistol with a length of 5 15/16", height of 4 1/8" and a width of 7/8". Magazine capacity is eight rounds.
The Walther Model 7 is a smaller version of the Model 6. It was manufactured for only a twelve month period during 1917 and 1918. This pistol is chambered in 6.35 caliber and was carried by German officers during WWI as a side arm. This is also a blowback single action design with a concealed hammer. This pistol ejects cartridges to the right and both pistols feature the bottom magazine release.
There were two variation of this pistol, and again this is a later version. The serations are closely spaced on the slide. Both pistols have the Crown over N proofmark on the slide and frame. I have not stripped either of these two pistols yet, so I don't know if the barrels are stamped or not.
This pistol is all original with grips and safety intact and is about 80-83% overall. It is a tiny pistol with a length of 5 3/16", height of 3 11/16" and a width of 7/8" across the fattest part of the grip. The frame across the slide is 5/8".