German pistol Walter: main characteristics and overview of modifications. Great gunsmiths: Karl Walther Combat Arms See what "Walther" is in other dictionaries

Great gunsmiths: Carl Walter

Hello, fighters!

Have you already prepared for the next history lesson in our column "Great gunsmiths"? Today we will tell you about a talented German engineer who made the production of weapons a real family business, forever writing his name in the history of the weapons world. Meet Karl Wilhelm Friend Walter!

Rod of gunsmiths

The Walther family can be safely called the oldest generation of gunsmiths - for more than five centuries, Karl's ancestors created weapons. The first known gunsmith with the surname Walther lived in the German town of Augsburg back in 1373, but whether he has anything in common with the eminent designer is unknown. More accurate are the data that in the second half of the 16th century, Walter's ancestors produced expensive exclusive weapons, distinguished not only by rich finishes, but also by high reliability and accuracy of fire. Today, these specimens are a real masterpiece of weapon art and are valued by collectors. In the future, Karl Walter continued the family tradition of producing expensive weapons, but read about it below.

First successes

In 1886, Walter opened the first small gun shop, in which he, together with his student, was engaged in the production of hunting rifles of the Martini system (the peculiarity of this system was that its shutter was actuated by a lever located in the butt, like that of the well-known Winchester). At the same time, adhering to tradition, they paid special attention to the quality and finish of the manufactured weapons. At the disposal of the designer then there was only a lathe and a small forge. But a few years later, in 1903, Karl opened a full-fledged factory, equipped with the latest technology, which subsequently employed five hundred people.

The first pistol manufactured by Walter saw the world in 1908 and was called very modestly - "Model 1". The weapon weighed 363 grams, had a length of 11 cm and was equipped with a magazine for 6 cartridges of 6.35 mm caliber - it turned out to be a kind of "pocket" pistol, however, it served as a prototype of modern short-barreled weapons.

The next few years, the company improved its pistols, subjecting minor changes to individual design features, as well as design and caliber. Interestingly, the weapon was called very simply: model 2, 3, 4, etc. Until 1915, when Karl Walter died, 6 generations of pistols were produced, which found a wide variety of applications: “Model 6” was in service with the army during during the 1st World War, and the "Model 5" was popular outside of Germany due to its high-quality performance.

Mass production

After the death of Walter, the management of the company passed to his sons, under the strict guidance of which the company expanded the boundaries of its activities. An important role in this was played by Karl's eldest son, Fritz-August Walter, who was known as the most talented gunsmith among the brothers. It was he who designed such famous models as: "P 38", "RR", "RRK". Note that the "R 38" is an officer's pistol, first entered service with the command staff, then became the most massive in the German army, displacing the Luger pistol, with which it was similar in appearance, but at the same time had much better combat performance.

The most interesting in the Walther line of pistols is the PP model (Polizeipistole) and its later modification PRK (Polizeipistole kriminal), which was somewhat smaller than its predecessor. Only one type of this weapon is striking - a pistol created 85 years ago still looks modern. However, design is not the only merit of RR, its design turned out to be so successful that it served as a prototype for the development of pistols from other manufacturers, for example, the domestic Makarov pistol. In addition, weapons of this series are produced to this day and are in service with law enforcement agencies of different countries.

An interesting fact in the biography of "RR" and "RRK" is that the company "Walther" during the Second World War produced expensive exclusive versions of this pistol. So, Heinrich Himmler rewarded the best employees of his security service with gilded "RRK" with the inscription "Honor is loyalty" and the date "November 9, 1944" stamped on it. instead of a serial number.

In addition, Hermann Göring received from the Walter family a gilded inscribed “RRK” with an ivory handle. Adolf Hitler also did not remain deprived - a gilded "Walther PPK" made especially for him was presented to him on his 50th birthday. Later, the pistol was handed over to a German pilot, and in 1987 it was sold at auction for $115,000.

Wide spectrum

Walther also had rifles - Gewehr 41 and Gewehr 43 were widely used by Wehrmacht soldiers during World War II. Much later, in 1982, the company released a miracle of design ideas - the WA2000 sniper rifle, which was supposed to enter service with the military and police services. However, the weapon did not work out with this: the used cartridge ".338 Winchester Magnum" did not like law enforcement officers, and the rifle itself was sensitive to pollution and expensive to manufacture. At the moment, the WA2000 is not officially released, and is produced only by private companies to order.

Shoot to kill

The weapons of the wonderful Walther company did not bypass Combat Arms either - let's take a look together at what virtual fighters can get their hands on:

1. The WA2000 is one of the best sniper rifles in the game, with an excellent optical sight, excellent damage and a built-in silencer, which makes it desirable for many ranged combat enthusiasts.

2. Gewehr 43 - an interesting rifle that flew into the SA from the battlefields of World War II. This barrel can be crafted at the Gun Market with a G36E and 7 Replica Pallets.

Interesting Facts

The long history of the famous company is replete with some interesting points:

1. Karl Walter was only engaged in the design of pistols, his three sons produced weapons, the fourth sold them, and the fifth developed the design.

2. At present, the Walther company belongs to the Umarex holding and produces not only firearms, but also sporting ones.

3. The weapons workshop of the Walter family was listed in the guild of gunsmiths in 1593.

4. Many people believe that the domestic Makarov pistol (PM) was copied from the RR model, but this is not so - the German pistol served only as a starting point for Soviet gunsmiths. The appearance of the PM is due to strict requirements for the combat performance of the weapon and some decisions in the design, similar to the "RR".

5. "Walther PPK" is widely known to the public thanks to the James Bond films, where this pistol is the main weapon of a British agent. In the last parts, it was replaced by a more technologically advanced "P99".

That's all for today, good luck on the battlefield! And remember: in Kyiv, at the Troeshchinsky market, an Apache helicopter was found that disappeared in Iraq during a sandstorm.

In the previous article from the "Great Gunsmiths" series, we talked about Samuel Colt:

Sincerely, Combat Arms team.

The first Walther pistol appeared in the Walther Werke, a family-owned hunting and sporting weapons company, thanks to the persistence of the owner's eldest son, Fritz August, Carl. Masters did not give their products special high-profile names, denoting them simply and briefly - Model 1, Model 2, Model 3, and so on.

The weapon received the marking later, when the army and the police became interested in it - P 38 (Pistole and the year of the start of serial production in 1938) and PP (Polizei Pistole, entering the series in 1929).

History of the arms company

In the workshop of Walter Werke in Zella-Mehlis, its owner Karl Wilhelm assembled Martini sporting rifles. In 1903, the capacity increased to a three-story building, in which 50 workers worked on 50 machines. Of the five sons of the master, three older brothers devoted themselves to the weapons business - Fritz August, Georg Karl and Willy Alfred.

In 1908, Fritz improved the Model 1 pistol scheme, he convinced his father to add it to the company's range of hunting weapons, so the mobilization of the Walter family during the First World War, which began in 1914, did not touch. The company urgently increased its capacity, already in 1916 producing Model 1 pistols for the army on 750 machines with the help of 500 workers.

In the same year, the company received an order for machine gun bolts from MG08, Fritz created the Model 6 chambered for 9 mm, and became the owner of the company in connection with the death of his father. In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was concluded - a ban on the production of military weapons in Germany was observed for 1.5 years. The company survived solely on sporting weapons.

After the lifting of the ban in 1920, the development of commercial weapons was allowed. Fritz develops three pocket pistols - Model 8, Model 9 and Model 9A. By 1929, a series of PP self-cocking police-style pistols was developed, and all design errors were corrected. In 1931, modifications of the PP and PPK went into series for the caliber of the 7.65 mm cartridge. Later, weapon variants appeared chambered for 6.35 x 15 mm, 9 x 17 mm and small-caliber .22LR.

In 1931, the German Ministry of Defense considered that the Luger-Parabellum 08 no longer met the requirements of a personal army weapon:

the cost of one unit exceeded $19;
The Luger was sensitive to pollution;
the trigger did not allow shooting with gloves;
ejection of cartridge cases upwards is inconvenient when firing from the hull, as they hit the face.

In the same year, a competition was announced for the development of inexpensive army weapons chambered for 9 mm cartridges. Fritz Walther applied several original design innovations, provided Model 4 for testing:

mathematically accurate weapon balancing;
refusal of expensive facing of the handle;
reduction of material consumption and weight of the gun through the use of alloys and tin;
cost reduction to $14 per piece.

The weapon was named Walther P38 after the year it was put into production. In the army of the Wehrmacht, the Luger Parabellum remained in service with the soldiers, and the officers switched to the Walter caliber 9 mm.

Fritz died at the age of 77 (1966), handing over the business to his son Karl, having managed to refuse the Cross of Merit during his lifetime and receiving the Diesel medal.

Assortment of pistols Walther

During the existence of the family business, the Walters were engaged in the manufacture of pistols, rifles and submachine guns. The release of sports weapons did not stop even during the war.

Combat

According to the company's own classification, a total of two dozen models of military weapons of this class were developed:

Model 1 - caliber 6.35, produced since 1908;
Model 2 - Added indication of a cartridge inside the chamber;
Model 3 - caliber 7.65 mm;
Model 4 - trigger inside the casing, 250,000 units produced;
Model 5 - improved second model for the civilian market;
Model 6 - caliber 9 mm Luger;
Model 7 - created in 1917, the last version with a removable recoil bushing;
Model 8 - a small batch for the civilian market;
Model 9 - caliber 6.35, circulation 130,000 pieces;
PP - police pistol;
PPK - shortened analogue;
TPH - pocket trigger, released in 1969;
P4 - aka P38 after being adopted by the Wehrmacht;
P5 - ejection of the sleeve to the left;
P88 - created for the US Army;
PPQ - for police and sports;
P99 - army version of 1999;
PPS (Schmal - thin) - released in 2007 for concealed wear;
PPX is a budget option for $500.

Two submachine guns MPL and MPK appeared much later than the war (60s). The first was used for aimed fire, the second was more suitable for covert wear.

Sports

Walther companies created models of sports pistols:

Sports weapons Walter has a high cost, has a well-deserved brand reputation.

Walter R38

Even before the Second World War, the Walther P38 modification was called "officer Walter". Given that each division required approximately 4,000 units of these weapons, the capacity of the Walter company was not enough. Their production was mastered in Belgium and Czechoslovakia, only from 1941 to 1945 more than 10 million barrels were produced.

This is the most famous model of the Walter pistol from the time of the Second World War, which went through the war, was highly valued as a trophy weapon by Soviet officers. At different stages of design, testing and production, the Walther P38 had different designations:

Model 4 - in the internal documentation after obtaining a patent for a vertically locking trigger latch;
MP - Militar Pistole, a 9 mm military pistol, while working on an order from the German government for an inexpensive pistol to replace the Luger;
AP - Armee Pistole, a 9 mm military pistol, during the finalization of the latest version.

Thus, in the AP model, the designers combined self-cocking, a secret location of the trigger under the casing, locking with a swinging barrel latch, a flag-type fuse and a short barrel stroke. When testing pistols at the Kumersdorf test site in 1937, the military pointed out a number of shortcomings:

high cost of weapons due to the complex design;
hidden trigger.

In the same year, Fritz changed the design of the casing and trigger, changed the marking of the prototype to HP - Heeres Pistole (military pistol). By analogy with the PP police weapon, a cartridge indicator appeared inside the chamber. After simplifying the design of the fuse, the HP version was approved by the Wehrmacht command, the pistol models received the final official name Walter P38 and went into production.

Characteristics

According to the requirements of the army authorities of the Wehrmacht, the pistol was created for 9 mm caliber. Weapon stats look like this:

production - Waffenfactory Karl Walter, later Mauser Werke (Denmark) and Spriverk (Czechoslovakia);
weight - curb 990 g, without cartridges 880 g;
dimensions - 21.6 x 13.6 cm (l / w, respectively);
USM - trigger type;
sight - rear sight, front sight;
device - short recoil of the barrel, lever-type locking;
USM - trigger;
store - 8 rounds;
firing range - 200 m maximum, 50 m aiming.

If you disassemble the weapon completely, there will be 58 parts in the kit. In the manufacture of the gun takes 4.4 kg of metal. Later, two types of silencers were developed for special forces. Weapons do not need to be disassembled to install them, even partially.

During the war, there was a loss and loss of weapons, so it was necessary to increase production capacity and reduce the cost of construction, because the detailed disassembled pistol underwent the following design changes:

casing and frame were stamped from steel sheet;
cheeks became plastic (brown Bakelite);
instead of bluing, a semi-matte finish was used;
abandoned the cartridge indicator in the chamber;
the quality of the finish has declined.

Shortened versions of the Walter Z 38K were produced for the SD and SS units.

Varieties

After the Second World War, the German pistol received several copies and replicas:

Walter R.4 - 10.4 cm barrel, police version;
Walter R.1 is an improved modification produced since 1957.

Umarex has created a pneumatic analogue of Walter P38 for 4.5 mm caliber. Crosman - two pneumatic replicas C41 and R-338. The manufacturer Bruni has released the ME-38R starting pistol, and EPMA - the gas 38G and the traumatic 38R.

Walter RR

Although the Walther PP modification pistols appeared before the P 38 - in 1929, they are less popular. This is due to the fact that the weapon was created for the police, in the Wehrmacht army it was used in very limited quantities. For comparison, about 1 million pieces were produced, that is, 10 times less than the “officer Walter”.

Two years later, in 1931, a shortened model of the RRK (Polizei Pistole Kriminal) was created. The PPK version was ideally suited for covert carrying, it was used by saboteurs during the war, and by the Soviets too. In the USSR, Walter PP was a premium weapon and was in service with diplomatic couriers.

performance characteristics

By default, the technical characteristics of Walter PP were as follows:

dimensions - 17 x 10 x 3 cm (l / h / w, respectively);
weight - 682 g;
cartridge - 7.65 x 17 mm, 9 x 17 mm, less often 6.35 x 15 mm and small-caliber .22LR;
ammunition - 8 rounds or 7 rounds in the store, depending on the caliber;
range - 25 m.

Due to the complexity of the design, the safety of the weapon has been increased. After setting the fuse, it can be fearlessly dropped, reloaded and carried with a cartridge inside the chamber, and after removing the “flag”, continue firing.

Modification of the PPK is 1 cm “lower” and 1.6 cm shorter (the barrel is 1.5 cm smaller and the frame is 1 cm smaller), 0.5 cm thinner. , the range of the shot remained unchanged.

Pistols with a 6.35 x 15 mm Browning cartridge were least used (1,000 weapons rolled off the assembly line).

Modifications

The following models of pistols are known, the basic design of which was PP and PPK:

PP Super - created for the police in 1972 under the 9 x 18 mm Ultra cartridge;
PPK / E - export version for the European market;
PPK-L - manufactured in Germany since 1950, aluminum alloy frame;
PPK / S - was created for export to the United States under the 9 x 17 mm cartridge.

They copied the design of Walter PP / PPK in China, France, Hungary and Turkey. Umarex and EPMA companies produce traumatic, gas and pneumatic copies of Walter PP.

Developed by Walter self-loading pistol P5 in 1979, adopted by the police of the Bundeswehr, Portugal and Holland. Currently sold to citizens of Europe. The main features of the P5 model are:

trigger pull on the right on the frame;
USM double action;
two return springs;
short stroke of the barrel by analogy with the Model 38;
sleeve extraction is left-handed, which is convenient for left-handers;
several safety devices.

For covert carrying, a Walther P5 Compact variant with similar performance characteristics, but smaller in size, was developed and launched into the series. The second modification of the P5L is sports with an elongated barrel.

Walter R22

For the body of the Walter 22 sports pistol, polymers were used, the casing and bolt remained steel. Removable pads and sights are used to fit the athlete. The weapon copies the Model 99, but is shorter than it, uses a shortened cartridge 22 LongRifle. The combat rate of fire is within 40 rounds per minute, taking into account the reloading of a box magazine with 10 rounds. Weapon range increased to 350 m (maximum) and 50 m (aimed).

The Standard model has an 8.7 cm barrel, the Target has a 12.7 cm barrel. The Umarex company produces traumatic and gas modification of weapons - P22T chambered for 10 x 22 m T and P22 chambered for 9 mm RA, respectively.

Walter R88

In the XM9 competition, which was held by the US government for the rearmament of sergeants and officers of the army, the Walter PP double-action pistol participated with 9 more samples, but did not become the winner. therefore, it was purchased by some armies and police units of other countries. The year of launch in the series (1988) was included in the marking of the weapon, but in 1996 the weapon was discontinued.

Distinctive features of the Walther P88 are:

Browning barrel locking scheme;
internal automatic fuse;
magazine for 15 cartridges 9 x 19 Parabellum;
weight 900 g and length 18.7 cm.

The graceful exterior of the weapon did not go unnoticed, so three sports models were released: P88 Competition, P88 Champion and P88 Sport (cartridge 22LongRifle). And the manufacturer Umarex created a pneumatic copy of the CP88 Competition and a gas replica of the P-88 Compact for 4.5 and 9 mm P.A.K. cartridges, respectively.

Walter R99

A Walther P99 combat pistol has been developed to replace the expensive P88 for the armies of the Bundeswehr and Finland. The features of the weapon are:

Hi Paur circuit shutter;
wire of a return spring of rectangular section;
USM double action;
polymer weapon frame;
magazine capacity 12 rounds 40 S&W or 9 rounds 9 x 19 mm Parabellum;
guides for the laser aiming system are provided on the body;
right-hand cutting of the barrel, six-way;
bullet speed 375 m/s;
cartridge pointer;
triple security system - the drummer is blocked in the absence or when the magazine is skewed, the drummer is safely removed from the cocking with a button on the casing, the drummer is blocked when the bolt is not closed and the weapon is accidentally dropped;
trigger guard force 2.5 kg with a pre-cocked drummer or 4.5 kg in self-cocking mode;
Three pads on the back of the handle included.

For ease of use by power units solving different tasks, Walter P99 was originally designed in several versions with different trigger mechanisms:

P88 DAO - no button for safe removal of the drummer from the platoon, reloading only with the trigger guard;
P99Q - the requirements for the service pistol of the German police have been met;
P99QA - Glock type drummer is constantly partially cocked, re-cocking is always carried out by the trigger guard to ensure the same trigger force of 3.8 kg;
PPQ Navy - designed for the water police, manufactured since 2011;
P99C is a compact version for concealed carry.

Umarex has created several replicas of Walter P99:

CP99 - pneumatic for 4.5 mm bullet;
CP99 Compact - pneumatic for 4.5 mm ball;
P99 DAO (2.5684) - airsoft version of 6 mm ball with paint;
P99 RAM - training pneumatics (paintball, airsoft) for 11 mm ball;
P99T - traumatic chambered for 10 x 22 mm T, light-alloy body, 15 charges in the magazine;
P99 - light alloy pistol chambered for 9 mm RA gas cartridge, 16 charges in the magazine.

In Germany and Holland, 42 thousand Pistols Walter P99 and its modifications are operated. 69,000 weapons have been ordered to Poland, and small quantities have been sent to Estonia, the Czech Republic, Finland and Ukraine.

Thus, the Walther family company produces military and sporting weapons of the entire range. The most famous pistol is the Walther P38, which was used during World War II.

K:Companies founded in 1886

A small company initially produced hunting weapons and sporting rifles of the Martini system. In 1908, at the initiative of the 19-year-old Fritz Walter, the eldest of the five sons of the founder of the company (later each of them was responsible for separate areas of the family business), the company began producing Model 1 pistols in 6.35 mm caliber. Models of the following numbers had calibers of 6.35 mm or 7.65 mm. Walter pistols "Model 4" caliber 7.65 mm from 1915 were ordered in large quantities by the German armed forces. In 1915, the production of the first Walther pistol chambered for 9 mm "Model 6" began. Notably popular as a civilian, police and officer weapon was the pocket "Model 8" caliber 6.35 mm, produced from 1920 to 1943. The "Model 9" (1921) is one of the smallest 6 caliber pistols ever produced, 35 mm. In 1929 the company began making the popular 7.65 mm "police pistol" model PP, and in 1930 the shortened and lighter model PPK ("criminal police pistol"). The pistols used a self-cocking mechanism, which was then widely used.

Since 1931, the German Ministry of Defense began to look for a replacement for the Luger P08 pistol with a more advanced one. In 1934, the company introduced the military model Walther MP using blowback recoil. After testing, many shortcomings of this model were revealed, work on it was stopped. In October 1936, Fritz Walther and engineer Fritz Barthlemens (Barthlemens) received a patent (DRP No. 721702 dated 10/27/1936) for a barrel locking system - a latch that rotated in a vertical plane. It was this technical solution that formed the basis of a new generation of German military pistols.

After winning competitive tests in 1938, the new model was adopted by the Wehrmacht as a standard service pistol under the name P38. In addition to the new locking mechanism, the P38 uses a fuse, which, without any reservations, can be called one of the most successful designs.

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An excerpt characterizing Walther

- Mon cher, voue m "avez promis, [My friend, you promised me] - she turned again to the Son, arousing him with the touch of her hand.
The son, lowering his eyes, calmly followed her.
They entered the hall, from which one door led to the chambers allotted to Prince Vasily.
While the mother and son, going out into the middle of the room, intended to ask the old waiter for directions, who jumped up at their entrance, a bronze handle turned at one of the doors and Prince Vasily in a velvet coat, with one star, at home, went out, seeing off the handsome black-haired man. This man was the famous St. Petersburg doctor Lorrain.
- C "est donc positif? [So, is that right?] - said the prince.
- Mon prince, "errare humanum est", mais ... [Prince, it is human nature to err.] - the doctor answered, grasping and pronouncing the Latin words in a French accent.
- C "est bien, c" est bien ... [Good, good ...]
Noticing Anna Mikhailovna with her son, Prince Vasily dismissed the doctor with a bow and silently, but with an inquiring look, approached them. The son noticed how suddenly deep sorrow was expressed in the eyes of his mother, and he smiled slightly.
- Yes, in what sad circumstances we had to see each other, prince ... Well, what about our dear patient? she said, as if not noticing the cold, insulting look fixed on her.
Prince Vasily looked inquiringly, to the point of bewilderment, at her, then at Boris. Boris bowed politely. Prince Vasily, not answering the bow, turned to Anna Mikhailovna and answered her question with a movement of his head and lips, which meant the worst hope for the patient.
– Really? exclaimed Anna Mikhailovna. - Oh, it's terrible! It’s terrible to think… This is my son,” she added, pointing to Boris. “He wanted to thank you himself.
Boris bowed again politely.
“Believe, prince, that a mother’s heart will never forget what you have done for us.
“I am glad that I could please you, my dear Anna Mikhailovna,” said Prince Vasily, adjusting the jabot and showing in gesture and voice here in Moscow, in front of the patronized Anna Mikhailovna, even much greater importance than in Petersburg, at the evening at Annette Scherer.
“Try to serve well and be worthy,” he added, addressing Boris sternly. - I'm glad ... Are you here on vacation? he dictated in his impassive tone.
“I am waiting for an order, Your Excellency, to go to a new destination,” Boris answered, showing neither annoyance at the prince’s harsh tone, nor a desire to enter into a conversation, but so calmly and respectfully that the prince looked at him intently.
- Do you live with your mother?
“I live with Countess Rostova,” Boris said, adding again: “Your Excellency.”
“This is the Ilya Rostov who married Nathalie Shinshina,” said Anna Mikhailovna.
“I know, I know,” said Prince Vasily in his monotonous voice. - Je n "ai jamais pu concevoir, comment Nathalieie s" est decidee a epouser cet ours mal - leche l Un personnage completement stupide et ridicule. Et joueur a ce qu "on dit. [I could never understand how Natalie decided to go out marry that filthy bear. Completely stupid and funny person. Besides a gambler, they say.]
- Mais tres brave homme, mon prince, [But a good man, prince,] - Anna Mikhailovna remarked, smiling touchingly, as if she knew that Count Rostov deserved such an opinion, but asked to pity the poor old man. - What do the doctors say? asked the princess, after a pause, and again expressing great sadness on her tear-stained face.
“There is little hope,” said the prince.
- And I so wanted to thank my uncle again for all his good deeds to me and Borya. C "est son filleuil, [This is his godson,] - she added in such a tone, as if this news should have extremely pleased Prince Vasily.
Prince Vasily thought for a moment and grimaced. Anna Mikhailovna realized that he was afraid to find in her a rival according to the will of Count Bezukhoy. She hastened to reassure him.
“If it weren’t for my true love and devotion to my uncle,” she said, pronouncing this word with particular confidence and carelessness: “I know his character, noble, direct, but after all, only the princesses are with him ... They are still young ...” She tilted her head and she added in a whisper: “Did he fulfill his last duty, prince?” How precious are these last moments! After all, it couldn't be worse; it must be cooked if it is so bad. We women, prince,” she smiled tenderly, “always know how to say these things. You need to see him. No matter how hard it was for me, but I'm used to suffering.

A small company initially produced hunting weapons and sporting rifles of the Martini system. In 1908, at the initiative of the 19-year-old Fritz Walter, the eldest of the five sons of the founder of the company (later each of them was responsible for separate areas of the family business), the company began producing Model 1 pistols in 6.35 mm caliber. Models of the following numbers had calibers of 6.35 mm or 7.65 mm. Walther pistols "Model 4" caliber 7.65 mm from 1915 were ordered in large quantities by the German armed forces. In 1915, the production of the first Walter pistol chambered for 9 mm "Model 6" began. Considerable popularity as a civilian, police and officer weapon was used by the pocket "Model 8" caliber 6.35 mm, produced from 1920 to 1943. "Model 9" (1921) - one of the smallest pistols ever released in caliber 6 .35 mm. In 1929 the company began making the popular 7.65 mm "police pistol" model PP, and in 1930 the shortened and lighter model PPK ("criminal police pistol"). The pistols used a self-cocking mechanism, which was then widely used. Business based on family and national traditions was bearing fruit.

The new model, after winning competitive tests in 1938, was adopted by the Wehrmacht as a standard service pistol under the name P38. In its shortened shutter, the continuity of German gunsmiths from Luger can be traced. In addition to the new locking mechanism, the P38 uses a fuse, which, without any reservations, can be attributed to one of the most successful designs.

After World War II, most of the enterprise fell into the hands of the new East German government, and for many years the company was unable to regain its place in the market. Only at the end of the 1990s the company resumed its work in Germany, in the city of Ulm. The company continued production of the P38 (renamed P1) in 1957 in order to supply the new West German Bundeswehr army. Fritz Walter, who led the company from 1915 after the death of his father, died in 1966 at the age of 77. During his lifetime, the main ideologist of "Walter" was awarded the Diesel medal, at the same time, he refused the well-deserved federal Cross of Merit. His place was taken by his son Karl and he opened a new direction - sports weapons and sports equipment. In 1993, the firm walther entered the German holding Umarex.

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See what "Walther" is in other dictionaries:

Walther PP- Allgemeine Information Entwickler/Hersteller: Carl Walther GmbH, Zella Mehlis … Deutsch Wikipedia

Walther MP- Allgemeine Information Zivile Bezeichnung ... Deutsch Wikipedia

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German pistol Walter: main characteristics and overview of modifications. Great gunsmiths: Karl Walther Combat Arms See what "Walther" is in other dictionaries

History of the arms company

Assortment of pistols Walther

Combat

Sports

Walter R38

Characteristics

Varieties

Walter RR

performance characteristics

Modifications

Walter R22

Walter R88

Walter R99

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