1581

Exceptional Pre-war Walther 1936 "Sportmodel" Pistol Complete with Original Matching Walther Box, Fr

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Exceptional Pre-war Walther 1936  Sportmodel  Pistol Complete with Original Matching Walther Box, Fr
Buyer's Premium is 19.5% by credit card, reduced to 17% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.

Estimate: $5000 - 9000
This is another example of just an outstanding, all original and unaltered pre-war Walther Sportmodel Target Model pistol in 22 Kurz that is complete with the original matching Walther box, one frame weight and accessories. These 1936 Sportmodel Target pistols were original designed by Fritz Walther for the 1936 Olympic games (in which the German teams won two medals (the Gold and Silver) and three other countries also using this model won three medals in the pistol competition) and are consider to be one of the finest and most accurate of the pre-war Walther Target pistol designs. This specific pistol has the all steel frame and duraluminum slide that has one original frame weight. These earlier Sportmodel pistols have the same basic action and firing mechanism as the later Funkkamph Target Model however they were not equipped to have barrel wights attached under the barrel. It is properly marked on the left side of the slide with the "Walther" banner logo with the two-line Walther slide markings of; "Waffenfabrik Walther Zella-Mehlis (Thur)/Walther's Patent" with "Olympia-Pistole" model markings behind the legend. Directly behind the slide serrations is the full pistol serial number (5799) with the matching last three digits (799) of the serial number stamped on the inside of the slide. The right side of the barrel is stamped with the correct double "Crown N/Crown over B and U" commercial proofs. The area of the slide directly below these proofs, was milled out at the Walther factory and then marked "Cal. 22 Kurz" indicating that this pistol may have been intended for same outside of Germany/Europe and was factory remarked for sales inside German or Europe. Directly below that the slide has the same "Crown N/Crown over B and U" commercial proofs, the barrel, The left side of the frame weights it is marked "MADE IN GERMANY". The top of the slide has a matted finish and the barrel is fitted with non-adjustable front sight (which is replaceable, for different heights) with an adjustable target rear sight. This pistol is fitted with a set of original Walther factory, right-handed, thumb-rest, checkered walnut target grips, and it has the original Walther factory blue magazine, with the walnut (extra length) extended finger rest magazine base, (numbered on the side "799") specifically designed for this pistol. As noted this pistol is complete with the original matching Walther brown wood-grain pattern shipping box. The top of the lid is embossed with the large "Walther" banner with a small green and white oval Walther label that reads; "AUTOM, PISTOLE /Cal. 22 I. f. B/5799" with the WALTHER banner in the center of the label. Inside the box are the original accessories, such as the the small Walther tin box that contains and original yellow Walther cleaning cloth, and the small glass oil bottle (which is empty) and a large rare brass frame weight wrench or key. Included with this pistol is a copy of the original 1936 Walther color advertisement fold out explaining how three countries won the top five olympic medals in the pistol competition, along with pictures of the German shooters holding/using these pistols along with an original 1936 German Schutzen Bund, (Shooting club) medals. These Olympias were the crown jewel of Walther production. The Walther family's greatest interest wasin target shooting and they hoped to dominate the growing world demand for target pistols as well as winning shooting events including the Olympics.
BBL: 8 5/8 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 22 KURZ
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut checkered
Serial Number: 5799
Condition: Near new, with 99% of the original blue/anodized finish. Grips are excellent with minor varnish loss on upper right panel. Mechanically excellent. Box is fine with exception of one side of the lid missing the wood grain veneer. Corner worn also.