SS-Contract Walther PP and PPK Pistols

[@ihcfn]

Ian: If you don't collect these, this is some pretty esoteric information and I'm impressed that you're still watching Me: I watched a 20 minute video on hats

[@ryan0U]

I mean they were pretty cool hats.

[@TheDougwoods]

I like hearing Ian's voice before I go to sleep after working a 12 hour shift 😅. It's so soothing hearing him talk about guns, history, or anything really.

[@ex0ne]

@@TheDougwoods i can second that :)

[@johncashwell1024]

Ian's hat video was quite enjoyable. The 'star' of the one of the other channels I watch; TheHistoryGuy, who covers forgotten history, is a hat collector. He especially collects historical military hats, but like Ian also has a few other types as well. And he does a video on the history of a particular hat from time to time. Like Ian he also stays away from politics so it's a rather enjoyable channel. ForgottenWeapons is always the 1st one I go to each day, though.

[@hoss2060]

they were great hats

[@frankkrunk]

The Theuermann patent holsters were not meant to lift the gun, but rather the opposite, to drop the holster. The waist belt on SS uniforms (and indeed most clothes at the time) was placed really high, above the belly button. So if you had a pistol holster attached to this belt, you had to move your arm in a really unnatural and unergonomic way to draw your gun, almost moving your hand into your armpit. The Theuermann holster is designed so that when you pop the tab open, the weight of the gun pulls the entire holster down towards your hip and opens the cover flap. As you can see, the belt loops go all the way on the inside of the flap.

[@TrainTracker911]

Thanks for this information. Very much appreciated.

[@juhokuusisto9339]

Isn't the Bundeswehr using/has used those kind of holsters for their P1?

[@littlearsehole75]

WWII Urban Carry

[@henrydaubresse9652]

Absolutely! And the same design was used earlier for the P-38, but as far as I can find, only for police issue.

[@ricardocorredouro8251]

The Portuguese used the same design in the P1 holsters.

[@silvershock019]

I love the part where he says "838769 through nein nein nein"

[@pokemaster123ism]

Man, those guns are over 70 years old and they still look like they just rolled off the line

[@myotherlifed9554]

B.J. Blazkowicz I would guess that its because these werent used in combat as much as other small arms. Pistols arent really fired that often in combat and soldiers rarely roll in dirt with a pistol like they do with rifles and smgs.

[@mcgyver8177]

I've read that a LOT of these guns were 'presented', then placed in a desk drawer....and, that not ALL "nazis" goose stepped around Germany shooting people in the head.

[@Tepid24]

@@mcgyver8177 "That'd be a horrid waste of ammunition. We have bayonets for that!" -Oskar Dirlewanger (paraphrased)

[@JohnDoe-ee6qs]

These were in effect issued to SS police units, far behind the front lines

[@GunsNGames1]

Hey man, I'm sorry for what they did with the newest Wolfenstein games, that's pure shame.

[@mrkeogh]

Gun Nerds: "Were all of these PPKs issued to the SS?" Nazi Bureaucracy: "Nein nein nein nein nein nein...K"

[@sic308941]

Glad u picked up on this as well

[@ChandlerThomasvoon100]

Her on the first date: I like guys who aren’t afraid to show their nerdy side Me: did you know that there are subtle ways to distinguish Nazi SS issued Walther PPK/PP pistols from their civilian and military counter parts? Typical these can be distinguished by their magazines being serialized, but only if they fall into a certain serial number range. Typical there are two magazines, and some will be followed by a K (under or behind the number) indicating that they were latter production examples.

[@tenhundredkills]

If she's genuinely impressed, she's a keeper!

[@TheRealChilly]

@@tenhundredkills legit 50/50 chance.

[@123apacino]

*leaves because she thinks you are a nazi

[@scratchy996]

@@123apacino Nowadays if you show you know anything about the German ww2 military, you're labeled as a Nazi. Some American lefties want to ban words like "Panzer" or "Wehrmacht", because "they make Nazis sound cool"...

[@W0DAN88]

@@scratchy996 so people would need to say "My grandpa was ******man in the *********"?

[@GhostKill88]

This design is so cool. I remember being infatuated with these types of guns as a kid, and I blame people like James Bond lol.

[@dwightehowell8179]

I was a James Bond junkie and James always carried a Walther in I think .32.

[@zachhoward9099]

@@dwightehowell8179 wasn't his PPK a replacement for a Beretta?

[@dwightehowell8179]

@@zachhoward9099 He started off with a Beretta 418, changed to a Beretta M1934, then changed to the PPK.

[@AshleyPomeroy]

"7.62mm, delivery like a brick through a plate glass window. The American CIA swear by them". I always liked the way they specified it was the American CIA, because this was 1962 and the CIA was still relatively new.

[@jayzenitram9621]

@@dwightehowell8179 Was it Thunderball where they switch the gun on him and he tries to sneak out the beretta under the PPK box?

[@stephenb2276]

Ian: and I'm impressed that you're still here watching. Me: Would watch Ian talk about pet rocks for 20min

[@blackhorsecavalry]

That video was hilarious.

[@fordfan3179]

If I start watching one of your videos, I finish watching it. I like the no nonsense way you deliver the information. It all makes great fodder for debate with my friends and relatives who collect all types of firearms. I think the history buff part of me is what keeps me coming back also.

[@stevejohnson6593]

I feel that. I like to call it knowledge mongering d:

[@painmagnet1]

I'm not a fluent German speaker but 4:17 made me spit out my coffee all over the screen.

[@stevejohnson6593]

it's always a giggle to read comments about spitting out liquids, at least before you feel the slight panic of the person realizing they spat on an electronic device d:

[@STRAKAZulu]

This is information I'm sure my late grandfather would have loved to get. He collected a lot of WWII-era German arms, armor, and papers. Kinda sad that it was all sold "at cost" when he passed.

[@zachhoward9099]

Oh my God that's so awful, I'm sorry about your grandfather passing and his collection which he probably spent years assembling, to go for 'at cost' is insane

[@metigame1450]

Well u suck

[@raysmith1630]

I always find your deep dives into obscure details about equipment related to the SS very interesting. Thanks Ian. Always a pleasure to watch your videos.

[@MRtucnakCZE]

Oh boy, imagine being an SS officer and getting your own Walther with serial 999,999 on it. I guess if you were the unlucky guy who had 999,998, you'd yell "NEIN!".

[@LtCmdrGordon]

Ian, thank you again for once more taking the time to show the true historical value of firearms. As an advocate for the hobby, I am proud to direct people to your work. Especially with highly educated and museum level collectors/ collections.

[@oberlandarmshainich9191]

The second SS Holster is the exact same design like the Bundeswehr P1 holster. I carried this very often on guard.

[@superbun277]

Walther Factory Worker, circa 1944: "Ve are losing dis war, ve need to speed up pistol production!" Another worker: "I know! Ve shall serialise ze pistols in MORE places!"

[@KenworthW900HG]

*zis ;)

[@mrorangethecat4256]

That’s the funniest think I’ve heard all week

[@mrorangethecat4256]

*thing.... f’n autocorrect

Well, you never know what you might find sitting on a shelf at a LGS or pawn shop. Knowledge is never a bad thing to have.

[@MrNathanDS]

There has to be so many people digging through grandpa’s stuff looking for a Walther, then listening to Ian real off serial numbers like they are lottery numbers.

[@bertbertmann5823]

Come on, Ian, don‘t be shy! It‘s REICHS SICHERHEITS HAUPT AMT

[@theblackbaron4119]

TELEFONMAST!

[@FakeSchrodingersCat]

Or Department of Homeland Security

[@brittakriep2938]

schrodingers cat : Imperial (Reichs) Security (Sicherheits) Main/Head (Haupt) Office (Amt).

[@peka2478]

It's actually a pretty sight how the German of all those military stuff KZbinrs gets better and better over the years, so I'm no longer afraid of how Ian would pronounce that xD

[@brittakriep2938]

The Black Baron : Warum müssen die Telefone gemästet werden?

[@MichaelRobertson-i8f]

Being 74 years old and around firearms all my life I got an FFL for Curro and Relics back in 2011 and would buy guns in Guns International from Italy and Germany: I was able to get a Erma Luger in the 9mm short or 380 Auto along with Berettas Model 70s in 380-32-22 models some with target barrels , the Walther models were in 32 and the 380 or 9mm short. I had a friend that had a Walther 22 target pistol that was used in the Olympics back in 1930s towards the end of that Decade but he passed away and wasn’t able to get my hands on it. I was able to shoot on the Rocketdyne pistol team when I was 17-18 years old and was exposed to the guns of those Gentlemen and have aquired Hi Standard Supermatic , Colt Woodsman Match and a Gold Cup Colt 45 Automatic which was fine tuned by the Colt’s Custom Shop before it was sold. Back in the day S&W K-22 and K-38 along with the N frame 45LC and the 45ACP were being made. Growing up in the 60s Sears had guns made for them JCHiggens and Ted Williams were stamped on the gun. Singer sewing machine actually made some 1911 45 Automatic’s during the War.

[@dorseyharrington]

Just finished watching this and rushed to check out my late 30's vintage PP. It scored 100% as an SS-ordered PP var 3: 144590 P on the slide, Crown-N proofs, 144590 P / 1 (two lines) on the spine of the non-finger rest magazine, and the magazine font matches the slide font. Sadly, my late 30's vintage PPK does not have the correct magazine, so lightning didn't strike twice.

[@DreiPPP]

You are the Bob Ross of gun. Mad respect!

[@rich105759]

I’m really enjoying the PP/PPK guns. I watch Legacy Collectibles channel too! Keep them coming

[@johnlindemulded7566]

For those of us that do collect these guns, this was a great video. Thanks keep up the great work

[@magritteetmoncouteau]

I just bought my first PPK today in Brussels! Greetings from Belgium

[@jonbeck5945]

I always watch all your videos to the end. I still find the videos informative. Even if it isn’t something I’m into. Thanks again for all the hard work you put into these videos Ian!

[@widgren87]

"If you don't collect these, this is some pretty esoteric information and I'm impressed that you're still watching"... Compared to watching some of Lindybeige's 1+ hour videos this is nothing ;-) Still Ian makes good content that is easy and entertaining to watch.

[@jacoposilvestri543]

i want a gun jesus-lindy crossover episode

[@widgren87]

@@jacoposilvestri543 If that ends up happening and it becomes a tank-video then folks, grab your snacks and your drinks for we will be here for a while :-)

[@widgren87]

@@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz Same to you :-)

[@jacoposilvestri543]

@@widgren87 would be a good time :)))

[@widgren87]

@@jacoposilvestri543 Oh yes it would ;-)

[@wapiti3750]

Ian looks like a baked out 70s hippie. His appearance disguises his true status as a grand master of old firearms!

[@CeltKnight]

As I watched this video, I dug out my Dural framed, late war (rough finish) PPK. Hmm ... SS guns with the K-followed serial number are in the range of 426712K ... Mine is 428xxxK ... damn ... As Maxwell Smart would say, Missed it by Thaaaaaaaat much! Oh, well, great video as always with a ton of good info on rare varieties of one of my favorite pistols!

[@amorembalming]

Dreadful history of these weapons, but as objects, they are beautiful. Really eloquently explained and fascinating info. Thank you for making these videos, so many of us really appreciate your enthusiasm and knowledge.

[@bwhog]

I love these videos meant more for collectors than general interest. This is the sort of information I like to get!

[@bulldowozer5858]

Ian, this is the seventh time, this week, you have shown Walther PP and PPK, in class!

[@roywilliams5098]

Brilliant cheers... now will look and see if you have put together the police versions

[@goodlifeFOB]

"I'm impressed you are still watching" You can make everything interesting Ian Besides, you never know when you are going to need to verify WW2 German SS pistols

[@AgentTexes]

I love adding to my esoteric knowledge. It makes it so I can spout random bullshit at any time for no reason whatsoever.

[@nguyenminhle8694]

Ian:*Tries his best to emphasise the details on authentic guns* Frauds: "Write that down! Write that down!"

[@bddmhopp5]

Wow, having one of these with matching numbers and both mags must be pretty rare…

[@balrajsingh-zp4wq]

ਸਤਿ ਸ਼ੀ੍ ਆਕਾਲ ਵੀਰੇ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਤੇਰਾ ਇਹ ਸਭ ਦੁਰਲੱਭ ਇਤਿਹਾਸਕ ਹਥਿਆਰਾਂ ਦੀਆ ਵੀਡੀਓ ਲੲੀ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਲਈ ।

[@ericn7677]

Ian, l thank you for providing details on a LOT of firearms. I know that I will never own most of them but it's nice to know about them...just in case. :)

[@wadejustanamerican1201]

You definitely went through some serious research, thank you. Also, just got a t-shirt good quality.

[@SatansPooper]

best college course on police pistols i ever attended. Thanks Dr. Ian.

[@mickdyer5310]

Ian, If you did a video detailing 9 mm magazines from 72 to 88 for example, I would still watch. I like your presenting style, The more esoteric the Better.

[@ERRr-nw5yi]

Great Video. I find it a bit interesting thought that you totally failed to mention the books written on the subject. The Red book SS Walther PP/PPK 1939-1944 written by Joachim Gortz & Dieter H. Marschall or the Black book SS Walther PP/PPK Identification & Documents written by Steven Stepan. These wonderful gentlemen spent loads of time on research of the very subject. And some would say that most of the information that we have today is because of the very works that they undertook. Sorry to sound negative but, a small shout out would have been respectful in my opinion.

[@marpsr]

Just got a brand new stainless PPK. Such a beautiful gun.

[@williamsullivan9401]

I had a stainless PPK/S- one extra round in the magazine. Very accurate with Winchester ball .380.

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Very interesting an thanks for showing these awesome Walther PP and PPK's , Gun Jesus !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jeffwise6398]

I have a mid-war PPK (Serial 322,xxx k). It does not have the serial number stamped on the slide. However, it does have a "d" stamped above the frame serial number. It is a "d" if you're looking at the serial numbers upside-up rather than upside-down. Does anyone know what this additional stamp might mean?

[@hanktorrance6855]

History is always fascinating, thanks for the explanation

[@ZinkyStinky]

In you listen to the background, they're testing out the new sniffing gun.

[@LipAllen]

I went through the comments just to see if anyone else noticed lol

[@yourstonersensei1907]

Its pissing me off sniffing is the number 1 thing I hate

[@Kolajer]

Suppressed, with subsonic ammo by the sound of it

[@Seb-Storm]

You new to the channel? Almost all his videos have the sniffing sound, you'll get used to it eventually lol

[@joevidya]

It's tape, they are boxing up things at the auction house.

[@dtcb1]

very informative. glad support allows you to do some travel and acquire this knowledge first hand for forgotten weapons.

[@mcchickenvlogs]

My Great Grandfather came back from Italy after working with Military Intelligence and he brought a Walther PP with him. He said he got it in a POW camp full of Germans and Italians.

[@peterdeyanov5056]

Hello, I am subscribed to both your channels - Forgotten weapons and Legacy Collectible. I've been watching a lot of videos on Walter pistols recently but haven't found an explanation or missed it, why do some Walter PP and PPK pistols have a 90 degree safety switch position, others only 60 degrees? If there is a video that explains this technical difference, please send me a link. In this video, on 4:15 - 4:35, there's those two type of pistols.

[@Josh-hr5mc]

I owned an interarms PPKS years ago. I swear it was moody on what ammo it wanted. Felt like the spring came off a tractor trailer and a 17 pound trigger pull. Other than that great looking old gun

[@michaelcapobianco5627]

that american made one was a piece of shit. turned it back in for the german made, love it .

[@davidharris6796]

Please do more videos on SS gear and weapons this was a big help

[@send2georgie_S2G]

I don’t collect these. I only watched the entire video bcos the content was very very well delivered! Great vid again Gun Jesus! ;)

[@shimsnee5686]

I don't have any WWII collectible German handguns but enjoyed the video. I even looked up the meaning of the word esoteric after so I learned something today.

[@davidalexander8649]

Brilliant as usual Ian!

[@Cliffdog01]

I'm not really interested in the collecting side, but I am always interested in the arms race of Collector and Forgers and how the later combats the former. So I found the police versions and seeing how a stamp looks when it is not to the standard of Walther to be very interesting.

[@worldtraveler930]

"All knowledge is useful for knowledge is Power" Benjamin Franklin.

[@luigiaqua2263]

The brown pullout holster for ppk was Luftwaffe version

[@Tesserae]

As a related aside, I would heartily recommend Philip Kerr's "Berlin Noir" police procedurals with Bernie Gunther, a detective in Kripo (Kriminalpolizei) in the 1930s. I enjoyed the first three books.

[@TheStraycat74]

my grandfathers fought in WWII, one in the pacific and one in europe in Patton's third army as a cook and sniper (shapeshooter). while ss-property always gives me the willies, I'm ALWAYS happy to learn something new. you make it fun and interesting, even if I don't like the people that carried the items. I highly doubt I will get into wwii german firearms anytime soon, but if I do, I always know someone (you) that knows a LOT more than I do about the subject...

[@gibsondrummer]

So how many k suffix guns that were not authentic SS contract guns had the magazines serialized to make them into instant collectables ?

[@yvindalexanderfrivold]

i think that last holster is desgned to allow for western style quick draw when the holster is open. i have one for a walther p1 so i guess german police continued to use these holsters.

[@stacybrown3714]

I didn't collect these before this video. Now that I have some insight I will be on the lookout for them.

[@tywinlannister8015]

I don't collect WW2 German Small arms, I ain't even in the arms collecting, never fired a gun in my entire life. Still don't know why I'm even subbed to your channel, or why I'm watching every video - but these are well made, and well explained. And now I know a bunch of stuff about rare weapons that I likely won't ever have an occasion to put to use. But it's good content. That's why I'm staying ^^

[@beardwierd2783]

To be honest Ian anything you post is generally very interesting.

[@tess1337]

Here in Norway a friend of mine has an old original 7.92 k98 mauser after his granfather and it has a large SS skulle making on the top of reciver with some other SS runes.

[@logitech4873]

Jeg har arvet en sånn en også :)

[@redram5150]

"Known serial numbers are 838769 thru nein nein nein nein nein nein." Sorry, Ian, I didn't know it was such a touchy subject

[@swatkats54]

Really dig the color of the grips

[@FINNIUSORION]

My buddy has a Walther he said was brought home during ww2. Said he didn't know anything else about it. One day he finally showed it to me lol. Right on the side it says licensed by Walther then some company name and new haven Connecticut.. or something like that. I will never ask him to help me identify anything.

[@laencleardale]

Great video, interesting stuff. Just getting nightmares of my time in the army and Joe having serialized magazines to track.

[@DB2A7]

Crazy cool history.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Ian .

[@rangerup1804]

I have a PP model from the Western German Police before switching to the 9mm. Mine is in 32 auto and is my deep stash weapon. Very reliable and accurate.

[@nicholascheadle5871]

So for a "P after" serial within 144,343 P -204,905 P... That does not have a serialized magazine may not be an SS contract pistol? Interesting.

[@flypaper2222]

surprisingly only one that you showed had a RZM marking since the SS had everything produced for them ether stamped RZM or had attached RZM paper tags.

[@flypaper2222]

@Q Anon EVERYTHING that was produced for the SS had to have a RZM tag or stamp, I've seen belts holsters with the RZM logal pressed into the eater. Smaller items like buttons had paper RZM tags . Every company that produced for the SS had a RZM number assigned to them and appeared on the tags

[@jimhickman6278]

I have a pp serial number 87873 no sn on slide / sn only on frame. Can you give approx date made. It is 32 cal.

[@Marc83Aus]

6:43 is that an eagle stamped onto the slide?

[@pjyost9565]

Is there any record of who these guns contracted by the SS were actually issued to?

[@mickobrien3156]

Idea: Replace screws with Phillips-Head ... for fun... so some people think... ah-ha... it's a fake. Idk why I find that amusing.

[@wmdayman]

Thanks Ian

[@TorquilBletchleySmythe]

Congrats Ian! 100k views in 15 minutes

[@Cys62]

So knowledge on this walther thing is really amazing...

[@jarinorvanto4301]

The thickness of the slide looks massive. I compare with my modern, top notch Sig P210, which is the ultimate slim. Surely Walther PP/PPK has the common outside railing slide, while Sig P210 has the inside, more stable, slide. I believe the metallurgical improvements since are considerable, but this cannot explain the difference in the slide thickness. The guess is that the lesser calibre [than 9mm] of the Walther, is to fill up the space around the barrel. Slide thickness merely to fill the gap?

[@MrCanyons]

I dont collect these pistols.. but if you can some day make a video like this on bulgarian Ar-sf (aks74u) that would be amazing.. because in america the kits we got dont have serial numbers that were like the ones in bulgaria.... we have few that look similar and most that are totally not correct.. Anyways great video thanks love geek info!

[@liampetersen7548]

Favorite James bond gun

[@jayzenitram9621]

I'm pretty sure he was more partial to his .25 caliber Beretta until they made him "upgrade" to .32.

[@princeofcupspoc9073]

@@jayzenitram9621 ... because all the gun-nuts KNOW that you need at least .38 for stopping power. (Morons.)

[@SNOUPS4]

Very interesting, thank you Ian!

[@saxandphone6440]

I am buying a war production Walther PP; it's all black and has no finger rest on the magazine, but I plan on getting some nicer grips and mags for it in the future. I am constantly saving up to buy a second Luger (something really fancy) but new items keep popping up and my OCD keeps telling me I need to finish my collection of German guns from the world wars. First it was a P38 and now a PP... there goes the $3000 I would have had for an early Swiss Luger lol. Oh well, can't really complain that there is too much stuff to collect. :)

[@M.M.83-U]

I dont collect german gun, however I like esotheric information very much. Thank you!

[@davidkachonik1885]

Well, I don't collect though I wish I could ($$$.) You always make an esoteric subject INTERESTING and that is why I stay to the end.

[@Dja05]

Great video, big PP.

[@stevenpham1961]

Walther makes premo equipment!

[@easongoldman1011]

Ian: OK you've done well... Me:*tears

[@galacticoverlord4871]

Shouldn't there be a RZM stamp on the SS-accepted holster?

[@mpetry912]

There is a book by Stephen Stepian that has the serial number ranges of many pre war Walther PP and PPK variants. I have a copy of this book if you or LC would like to see it.

[@nickverbree]

Ian is clearly a wizard. How did he convince me to watch a 16 minute video on serial numbers when I have no interest in German pistols, let alone SS stuff? Yet here I am, at the end of the video thinking "that was really cool."

[@faeembrugh]

RHSA (Reichssicherheitshauptamt) was an amalgamation of the Gestapo (secret police), Sicherheitsdienst (SD, the Nazi intelligence service, NOT the SA), Sicherheitspolizei (SiPo, the security police) and Kriminalpolizei (Kripo, the criminal investigation police).

[@SoredaSamurai]

What’s the biggest PP made?

[@davidnelson669]

Like the video Ian. Love ppk!

[@01Chris02]

4:10 Ian: "The number range for this first variation are 838768 through NEIN NEIN NEIN NEIN NEIN NEIN" #germanactivated