While the PP and PPK were intended for police work, the Walther P 38 was produced for the Germany military; all three pistols have garnered a formidable international reputation since the 1930s. The innovative Walther PP (Polizeipistole), a double-action semi-automatic pistol intended for the law-enforcement market, became available in 1929 and went on to arm the police of several European countries in the 1930s. Its smaller cousin the PPK, more readily concealed for undercover work but with reduced magazine capacity, was produced from 1931. Intended to replace the P 08 Luger, the Walther P 38 was issued from 1940 and equipped the armed forces of Germany and other countries during and after World War II, but never entirely replaced the Luger in German service. All three pistols went on to have lengthy and varied service across the world after 1945. Both the PP and the PPK remain in production today, while the P 38 re-emerged as the P1 and equipped West German forces from 1963 until 2004, when it was replaced by the P8. In this study, noted authority John Walter assesses the origins, development, use and legacy of these three high-profile semi-automatic pistols, alongside other Walther variants, such as the tiny .25 ACP Modell 9.

As readers of our publication “The German Police” will know, the SS and Himmler had much influence on the organisation and equipment of the Police in the Third Reich. This pamphlet, issued by Himmler's office, by order of Kurt Daluege, Chief of the Security Police (at the Central Office of the SD). The pamphlet is of importance to all interested in the German Police, and to those concentrating on weapons, for it has details of Sauer and Sohn, Walther, Mauser and Dreyse 7.65 mm pistols. Each weapon is covered in detail with cutaway drawings, parts lists, and instructions for handling and firing.

Guide to global small arms weaponry