Reichsbank Walther PP

[Poloberst]

Haven't posted in a while and as I'm not authorized to use the search engine, I thought I would post this inquiry if anyone has an interest in Walther pistols used by the German Reichsbank. This example is of one of a large contract of Walther pistols purchased for their bank facilities. This example is a PP in .22LR used for marksmanship training in the Reichsbank storage box that was issued to the Reichsbank branch in Halle/Saale. This information was evident in the label on the lid of the storage box as well as in the paperwork that was included with the pistol I purchased from the veteran family. The Reichsbank .22 pistols, whether PP or PPK, were issued with magazines that had a mottled green finger extension. This was to warn users of the pistols to only use special .22 ammo produced by RWS for semi-auto weapons and sold in boxes marked with a green warning banner as shown in the attached photo. This particular pistol did not have the green finger extensions, so I had to buy repro examples, as originals are impossible to find.
And other Reichsbank Walthers out there?

[Tim030]

Very interesting. Looks like a nice set.

Tim

[Poloberst]

The Reichsbank facility in Haale was one of their larger facilities and the building survived the war, was used by the DDR as a bank and after the Fall, it was again repurposed as a bank. I enjoy bringing the history of an item to life. These are images of the bank in the early 20th Century after construction and perhaps 100 years later. The wall and courtyard is visible on the left.

[Greenhorn]

Very nice to have all those extras! Nice set.

Green

[Erich S]

As always Joe, a great show and tell.

[MAP]

Nice pistol. Just learned something new.

[Poloberst]

Both Walther PP and PPK were provided to Reichsbank personnel as training weapons (Übungswaffen). For security of bank premises and during shipments, personnel were provided with Walther PP and PPK in 7,65mm. Bank officers could keep their pistol concealed in an under-desk container, or on their person worn in either a concealed holster or a belt holster. All armed personnel were required to carry a Waffenausweis issued by the main bank in Berlin. Below is an example of the issue PPK in 7,65mm with the Akah DRGM protected holster designed for the Reichsbank, which could be worn as a concealed shoulder holster (straps missing) or on a bank supplied waist belt. Accompanying the holster is the reserve magazine pouch also worn on the belt and a copy of an issued Waffenausweis.

The slides of 7,65mm Reichsbank pistols were marked with the serial number of the slide at the Reichsbank arsenal by metal stamping or hand engraving. The finger extensions of 7,65mm pistols were usually the color of the grips: brown for PPK or black for PP and numbered to the pistols. However, unmarked finger extension magazines are found with pistols. In addition, some Reichsbank 7,65mm pistols have been found with red finger extension, for which no explanation has been proposed. This Reichsbank PP is shown with such red finger extension. Below it is the issue Reichsbank belt holster presumably worn by bank guards in uniform.