History of WWI Primer 007: German Walther Model 4 Pistol Documentary

Othais and Mae delve into the story of this WWI classic. Complete with history, function, and live fire demonstration.
C&Rsenal presents its WWI Primer series; covering the firearms of this historic conflict one at a time in honor of the centennial anniversary. Join us every other Tuesday!
Walther Model 4
Cartridge: .32 ACP
Capacity: 8 rnds
Length: 5.9"
weight: 1.2 lbs
The Walther Model 4 would prove to be an excellent WWI handgun and bring the family owned shop a measure of fame and respect. Ultimately its reputation aided in the rise of the now world famous Walther Arms.
Watch as we review just how the Model 4 came about, it's method of operation, and live fire demonstration. With historical context from Othais and practical opinions from Mae.
Additional reading:
Walther Pistols
W.H.B. Smith
astore.amazon.c...
Walther: A German Legend
M. Kersten
astore.amazon.c...
These and more can now be found through our Amazon link where we get a small commission that goes towards producing the show. No extra cost to you!
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We are out of the woods and starting to have a bit of pocket change to save up.
That said, we are receiving a lot of offers that we can't always take up due to the limits of budget and equipment, so please consider donating to the project. Even at our next funding level no one will be getting a paycheck for their work until we have all the gear we feel will help us enrich the show.
Please consider supporting us if you like the series. / candrsenal
Music provided by Melissa Hyman of The Moon and You
www.themoonandy...
Safe range space thanks to Shoot Logic
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In collaboration with The Great War
/ thegreatwar
Visit us at candrsenal.com

[@Toblehrone]

Wow, I just noticed that the episode number for Walther is 007...

[@RealLordkiffington]

where do you think they got bonds number from?

[@jasonmartin1668]

Pulled a sneaky

[@achillebelanger9866]

You should feel Shaken,but not stirred.

[@grrg1963]

Geez, I watched this 7 years ago when it was new. Glad they're still around.

[@SteppingR]

1 year after you XD

[@NormanMatchem]

"... and back to beardy." HAH! Had a good laugh out of that, she's got a good sense of humour, I liked her less-than-approving review of the M1879 Reichsrevolver. Pretty funny.

[@maewinchester2030]

Glad you enjoyed it! Yeah the Reichsrevolver has been my least favorite handgun I've shot for the series so far.The Walther was a pleasure though, handled like a champ.

[@FantadiRienzo]

Interesting that Thyringia, where Suhl and Zella Mehlis are located, once was one of the industrial capitals of germany. Then the russians came in 45, deindustrialized it... Today, Thyringia is basically a forrest with a road going through it. Walther, who just moved to the west, still lives on and creates awesome pistols. Got my hands on a PPX a couple of days ago and when I took it to the range, fell in love with it after one magazine.

[@sharkfinbite]

I hope this guy keeps making videos. He is arguably has the most in depth gun videos around. They are a lot better than the old history channel documentaries about guns.

[@Candrsenal]

+sharkfinbite That's a really big compliment, thank you!

[@Tomartyr]

Also check out Forgotten Weapons.

[@abstractapproach634]

Yeah, but at othias' pace will be in WW4 before we see any WW2 exclusives!

[@digitalbrentable]

Came here from +TheGreatWar, love the detail you go into with these videos. As someone who doesn't already know a lot about firearms, I really appreciate the accessible approach. I would have expected lots of jargon and assumed knowledge, but you really do explainb it all, complete with neat animations (I loved seeing the x-ray of the handgun working step by step). Thanks again and keep it up!

[@Candrsenal]

+digitalbrentable thanks! We are trying to split the difference on nitty gritty vs time saving. Florian recommended a few basic terms and concepts videos so I think we will go that route soon.

[@hedgehog3900]

You two work so well together,the behind camera team are obviously right on it too.By far my favourite "discovery" of recent times,right up there with The Great War. A sincere thank you for sharing this magic you have weaved.

[@Candrsenal]

+Hedge hog Stahp! The praise! It hurts my cynical heart.

[@maewinchester2030]

Ok that was an incredibly sweet comment, thank you.

[@circleofsorrow4583]

This is my latest addition to my channel subs and I am really enjoying the content. I like the format and the delivery. Thanks heaps.

[@maewinchester2030]

Glad you're enjoying it!

[@Candrsenal]

+CircleOfSorrow thank you!

[@ozarkbeararms8840]

Thank you for drawing attention to this often overlooked German military handgun. I am a Walther fan and also like the Model 4 in particular. I own 2 of them at the moment.Also, thank you for having clean and clear narration. I am blind, so I am just listening to the audio and it is easy to follow and enjoy. I often listen to youtube while boxing up guns to ship out the next day. While listing to this video, it was actually a Walther TPH I was taking care of hehe, cheers.

[@Candrsenal]

+Ozark Bear Arms Glad you're enjoying it!

[@caseyplunkett6083]

Big fan of Mae !

[@captainnutella67]

Great War introduced me last week and I gotta say this is one of my new favorite channels!

[@maewinchester2030]

They're one of our favorites too! Happy to have you!

[@Candrsenal]

+captainnutella67 happy to hear that! We have tried hard to match their quality.

[@TheGnewb]

Forgotten Weapons suggested this watch for a good history, absolutely impressed. Thank you.

[@sveeny]

Very high quality content as always! Love CandRsenal!

[@Candrsenal]

+490Dodesheide Thanks!

[@polycarp87]

Great work, love your videos, glad I found your channel!

[@Paragoth]

I feel the news section post-credits is a good addition. I love the collection of handguns too! I knew a good number of them, but there were some I couldn't identify! I'm off to spend tedious hours on the internet in an attempt to identify those which I was not familiar with, wish me luck!

[@Candrsenal]

+SteamPoweredRudeBoy Most should filter into the show soon. So no worries!

[@Paragoth]

Regardless, all the reading in the world doesn't match a solid demonstration of function. This channel has taught me quite a bit about guns I've read into, and it continues to surprise me every time I see something I couldn't imagine about function.

[@Astandane]

I started watching these videos at random, but now I'm doing it all in order. Great series, it's content like this I look for on KZbin (y)

[@Candrsenal]

Glad you're enjoying it!

[@NuclearAlchemist]

Awesome video! I really enjoy the historical perspective on the guns, as well as the 'shooting' section. It gives a better idea of what these firearms are like, especially within their own historical context. I look forward to more videos, especially on some of the more rare collectors firearms.

[@Candrsenal]

+NuclearAlchemist Every day we get more offers to borrow so it should keep getting better!

[@WildBillCox13]

More good stuff. Love the anecdotal analyses. They are the very sort of impressions the front line soldier would blend into tactical expertise with any particular piece-should he live so long. The generic histories are also very enjoyable and informative to an armchair historian like me. I'm glad Indie and the crew sent me your way.

[@Candrsenal]

+William Cox Glad you're enjoying the formula!

[@MrRoboskippy]

Great video guys. I loved the animation. Mae is awesome!

[@Candrsenal]

+MrRoboskippy no you're awesome!

[@maewinchester2030]

We're both awesome.

[@mtslyh]

I came over here from seeing your work with The Great War. Great channel and very well done video!

[@Candrsenal]

+Treasure Pirate thanks! It means a lot to hear this.

[@maewinchester2030]

Welcome aboard matey!

[@mcfontaine]

Yet again, a brilliant production.

[@Candrsenal]

+Mark Cotton (mcfontaine) Thanks!

[@MrGeorocks]

Well informed and researched and presented in a professional way while still being entertaining, good job :)

[@seanrea550]

+MrGeorocks it helps that they are clear and to the point with out rambling about all the small details.

[@Candrsenal]

+Sean Rea Thanks guys it is good to hear. When you're doing the 4th check obsessing that there is at least one error in there somewhere as you're uploading...

[@Nick-rs5if]

Wow, what a neat and dandy little thing. The KISS policy defined! 😊

[@michaelj595]

It would be cool to see a video on the Savage 1907, they are really neat little pistols and France did buy 40,000 of them for use in WW1. Either way keep up the good work!

[@Candrsenal]

+michael johnson i.imgur.com/bCYPrbE.png

[@michaelj595]

so does that mean one is coming?

[@Candrsenal]

michael johnson Yep. Wouldn't have it in the lightbox otherwise. Just a matter of time.

[@michaelj595]

Great! I will be looking forward to it!

[@presbyterosBassI]

The animation is great, and really helps me visualize. Thanks.

[@johannfwengelbrecht7178]

Please redo this one. This is the model that put one of the legends on the map.

[@jeremiahwilson1781]

Walther...best pistol maker in the world hands down. Iam collecting as many as I can.

[@Andy_Yates]

Good stuff, the videos keep getting better and better. Glad to see The Great War giving you some PR!

[@Candrsenal]

+Andy Yates It's nice having a mutual interest. Makes it very easy to share an audience!

[@donaldjones3580]

Mae looking sharp tonight...Enjoying your WWI series

[@ZGryphon]

Rewatching as I'm considering buying one of these. Bruno's animations are awesome, but I have to admit I kinda miss the old x-ray vision format, and I had forgotten that Mae used to VO her segments. And no WAR WERE DECLARED! How times have changed. :)

[@pakman422]

New subscriber here from Forgotten Weapons. Love the show. Where did you obtain the first picture in the video of the old shop (if you can remember)? As a machinist and lover of old tooling I find those old photos very interesting. Thanks! - Jacob S.

[@wetlettuce4768]

I just love these small Walther pistols just something about them, maybe that the Makarov (my favorite pistol) 'borrowed' so much from them.

[@Candrsenal]

+Wet Lettuce we are a few decades early for it but I do love the mak.

[@VFRSTREETFIGHTER]

Ever think about teaming up with the guys at Forgotten Weapons for a video or two? Might be worth looking into.

[@Candrsenal]

+Sean Rea In the long run I am open to a lot but for now we are still having to scramble a bit for our episodes + TGW. The goal for the next two months is to build a buffer so we have special project time.

[@VFRSTREETFIGHTER]

+C&Rsenal Forgotten Weapons just did a video with 3 of the machineguns from WW1, that's why I though you might be interested.

[@petesampson4273]

I've been fortunate enough to fire several Walthers over the years and I have found each of them to be the equal or better of any other gun of a similar purpose and era. My favorite is still a pre-war PP, .32 ACP. There is not any pistol that I find more fun to be used to burn through a couple boxes of cartridges.

[@Candrsenal]

Lovely guns.

[@waltcs1]

I would be interested in seeing a production of your on the .32 ACP and .22LR Walther PP and PPK firearms. In particular those from the early days of WWII

[@dwightehowell8179]

Mae and maybe Othais seem to note something very, very important. If you only have one magazine, the one that came with the gun, you bloody well don't want to drop it on the ground! If anything happens to that magazine you can't reload your gun. This means a heel release is much smarter than the other option.

[@bartoszgrabarek4850]

Bardzo kompaktowy pistolet . Bardzo dobrze wytlumaczyliscie działanie broni . Serdecznie Was pozdrawiam z Poland .

[@Zwockel95]

"Schütze" does not mean sporting rifle, but shooter. Awesome video, as always.

[@Candrsenal]

+Sgt. Tackleberry I was going for Schutzen as quoted from the Walther book listed above. I honestly could have spent more time researching the earliest rifles but ended up putting it elsewhere. Sorry my pronunciation is sorta shit.

[@starman545]

Ive never even heard of this pistol, and it built Walther as a company... wow

[@MCG55555]

PPK? More like Pre-PK

[@golvic1436]

007... Walther handgun. I see what you did there.

[@Candrsenal]

+Golvic Yep, comes right after 006.

[@Kuemmel234]

The pronunciation of Gesellschaft was totally fine, most of these were more accent than anything else (nailed the umlauts)! But if there's something odd, it's the pronunciation of 'Walther'. The h in Walther is silent. It's "Walter", the German 'a' is more like the 'u'' in 'ugly' (there's a section on the English 'Carl Walther' Wikipedia page that recommends saying 'vaulter'). Anyway, It's a pretty lame sounding name on its own in German. Thanks a lot for these videos, great content! :)

[@caseyreavis]

I can't help but wonder what their reasoning for left hand ejection was. Love this series by the way!

[@Candrsenal]

+Casey Reavis thanks!

[@Candrsenal]

Mihajlo, can't respond to your account. But the episode will be listed late tonight for tomorrow!

[@Candrsenal]

Thanks!

[@Charon-5582]

That thing looks great today even, a bit simple but simple is best. .32 acp aint so hot these days but its a good piece.

[@Greg41982]

I was going to offer up my Astra 600/43 for your consideration, but then I noticed there is a 400 right behind you on the wall!

[@Candrsenal]

+Greg41982 we actually have a 600 we love as well. Suzie (part time helper on the show) is a huge Spanish collector.

[@horstguntherludolf6357]

hey! nice channel! ian brought me here ;) ur pronunciation of the "mercedes büromaschinen gesellschaft" was realy good and correct.

[@Candrsenal]

+Horst Günther Ludolf That's a relief.

[@fukyougooglification]

you guys are fantastic

[@Candrsenal]

+bongo no you

[@maewinchester2030]

We try :)

[@ls-420stoner6]

I just thought of this. Mae could easily cosplay as The Barroness at a comic con.

[@BoozMcGroove]

Simplistic, no-frills, point and shoot, undeniably accurate and reliable, comfortable, overall functionally sound and reasonably powerful. Modern firearm manufacturers could learn plenty from 80+ year old pieces like this lol

[@jeffreyplum5259]

It seems like a super ruby.. Quality and a longer barrel.

[@Candrsenal]

+Jeffrey Plum quite a bit better manufactured than that.

[@jeffreyplum5259]

Of course. I should have said much higher Quality and longer barrel. Seems like it would not be a bad backup gun, even today.

[@mikeblair2594]

Damnit Othias! I couldn't hear a thing you said with that beautiful backdrop of pistols behind you

[@hanssmirnov9946]

May I ask your opinion on small rounds versus large ones in pistols? I've heard some people who are really keen on light rounds, saying it's easier to put more rounds on target so it makes up for lesser damage per round. They even claim better anti-armour capabilities, as you're more likely to hit an unarmoured spot. Of course, they are assuming you can't manage about the same with a heavier round.

[@Candrsenal]

+Hans Smirnov it really depends on the diameter, weight, and power of the cartridge. .32 is very light and uses a light load. So it has poor "stopping" characteristics. It does not transfer a lot of energy into the target or spread it out widely.

[@logitimate]

It also depends on bullet design. Military ball (FMJ) suffers more from being in a given small caliber than a well-designed hollow-point, with jacketed soft points and unjacketed lead bullets falling in between.

[@timblack6422]

Had to come back and watch this again. Found a Model 4 after Katrina about 2 weeks in salt water

[@desroin]

Walther, my home area did produce some of the best weapon manfuctaruers of all time. Sad they never came back after the change :(

[@markotesla2016]

Henriech Kreighoff, as in Krieghoff shotguns! How cool!

[@Candrsenal]

+ the car guys

[@armoredangel01]

Maybe in the future, we can see a Walther Model 6, a rare beauty

[@ronalddunne3413]

Excellent run-down! You have just doubled my knowledge and understanding of Walther, Ive fired them but never owned one. Me personally, make mine FN! One suggestion- less Othais face-time, more Mae-time!

[@bryco32]

Please tell me you plan on doing a series on 25acp's!

[@Candrsenal]

Not really a military cartridge...

[@AntiAnathema]

And the agent 007(episode #) uses a Walther(not quite PPK)...

[@Candrsenal]

+Geo Wu Agent who?

[@disappointedbyhumanity2259]

+C&Rsenal Do you think you guys could do a video on all those lovely rifles behind you? Not necessarily as detailed as these, but just a general hey this is what all these are. Because it seems like really quite the collection.

[@Candrsenal]

+Official Guild Represenative Maybe as a side video if we get some time but a lot of those are pieces from my private collection occasionally mixed in with loaners. imgur.com/gallery/zGV7i

[@Mythteller]

Sidney Riley is the name. 😎 The other proto 007 agent but Ian had heard of him but never use him for his Bond more towards Christopher Lee.

[@kitaryakysubae3156]

Frugality and efficiency whilst maintaining high level of quality and detail. That's the way it should be.

[@SergeToll]

thanks... would be interesting to get your comments about PP-PPK-PPK/S

[@Patrianos]

Have the same one. Can't find parts anywhere...I would love to get it working....but no parts no fun!

[@colnagocowboy]

perhaps a last show summarizing your experiences with these.32acp's

[@Alexx120493]

How do you do these X-Ray shots? They look incredible

[@Candrsenal]

+Axel Actual photos and long hours

[@nicholasford4820]

Great video with lots of information about the Walther company and the Model 4! It would have been nice to get a little more context to it as a WW1 pistol - how did it end up being adopted when they already had the Luger, was it issued to frontline troops or rear echelon, etc. Keep up the good work, you're my favorite youtube channel and I'm happy to support you on patreon!

[@Candrsenal]

+Nicholas Ford those are good points. Mostly it was handled like any other of the 32s and was bought in lots by the military and offered for sale to troops internally. Also many were sold privately outside that structure as well. The Luger tended to be an issue sidearm.

[@trekaddict]

Whenever someone mentions the PPK, I have to think of those lines from Doctor No and Goldeneye.

[@Giloup92]

Could you make a video about ammunitions ? Seeing your videos and others I realized there is a lot of different kinds ( according to caliber ( " and mm), length and shape of the bullet, etc...). I think it will useful to better understand your videos: for instance, .32 ACP means nothing for me.

[@Candrsenal]

+Giloup92 we have actually pulled in an ammo collector to consult for the show since filming this episode. He has devised a great visual data system that will let you better visualize the differences between rounds. It should be in place for episode 009. (008 was filmed already)

[@davidmetzgar8264]

I just found one of these walther model 4 in my late father in laws gun collection. It has a wood grip . On the right grip it is smooth no markings . The left side grip has 2 diamonds stacked carved into it . Is that just something someone done or does it mean something? I also found the same model vest pistol that Ava Braun carried .

[@nikkipiano9868]

interesting and informative. thank you! how do you assemble and field strip?

[@r2crowseye]

Oh, this one is the OOOOLLLLDD style. 😳 The lightbox and editing have come so far from here. 😅🤣🤣

[@BeefaloBart]

My Grandfather got a Model 4 in exchange for the cost of a haircut while at port somewhere during WW2 (Grandfather was US Navy)

[@silmarian]

Othais is reminding me of a burly, bearded Alton Brown - "But that's another show." :D

[@Candrsenal]

Same idea

[@heyheyhey1481]

The town of Zella Mellis is centuries old…

[@Bladerunner5434]

Sir, Your channel is well done and quite interesting, I would like to make a small recommendation. Before disassembling a firearm you might want to unload it and show clear to your viewers. In lieu of that, mention that the firearm was previously cleared. Also it is better to disassemble the firearm with the magazine out. Your videos are very well done and this additional safety step will enhance your already good work. Respectfully submitted

[@Candrsenal]

+Bladerunner5434 Glad you're enjoying the show!

[@laurentbordes8787]

well made video as usual. waiting for the luger.

[@Candrsenal]

+laurent bordes we are getting closer day by day. It will make a smaller appearance on Thursdays live show.

[@laurentbordes8787]

cool

[@PreyofBird]

Viewer tip: playback speed 1.25. Great video.

[@mo45327]

Guys, when is the next video going to be posted?

[@gregorioapodaca7446]

I LIKE, SO MUCH... ¡¡¡

[@gunnerdupree3406]

Good content. Comment for the algorithm.

[@fritzschumacher6047]

My first pistol.

[@Candrsenal]

+Fritz Schumacher Good first!

[@fritzschumacher6047]

@@Candrsenal I found old 6.65 mm jam often with modern ammo. Maybe old ammo was hotter?

[@jeromeserra2521]

Hi I have one of these Model 4's I hear this pistol is ammo sensitive. I'm running fiocchi 73 grain FMJ with no issues. I looking for a defensive round. Buffalo Bore makes a75grain hollow point +P by Any advice of comment?

[@Ni999]

On that particular round, no, on .32 ACP in general, yes. Stick with the Fiocchi FMJ. The 32 is lower energy round - if you go with a hollow point you're fighting against the ability to penetrate sufficiently. Google for "Lucky Gunner The Best 32 ACP Ammo for Self-Defense" for a good overview. Plus, you're firing old steel, firing +P isn't going to do it favors with respect to stress and fatigue and isn't going to accomplish more than a good round you can trust to get on and into the target. For me, I find the 32 to excel at low recoil and easy shooting and I trust shot placement over fancier ammo with less predictable results. Larger calibers, go nuts, shoot what you like, 32, stick with the FMJ. That's my opinion.

[@clubprojects6923]

This pistol appears in Sergio Leone's "Fistful of Dynamite", in the hands of a Mexican railway policeman. Leone tried to use period accurate arms.

[@Magemanbob]

There is something about the light behind the camera makes a reflection on Othias' glasses makes it look his he has cartoon eyes that dont blink

[@Jrhoney]

I do wonder how much the tooling might have cost the Walther company if they had decided to make a longer slide for their military and police offering. A sense of scale as to the cost of tooling would better describe if they were indeed being frugal with their resources or if they were just being cheap.

[@Candrsenal]

Hard to say but I imagine for a small firm one more machine could be a major cost.

[@josephiacovelli5395]

Krieghoff also makes upscale shotguns.

[@trekaddict]

And as a certain movie told us later Walther pistols can function as makeshift AA.

[@news26boom]

With the barrel extending past the slide this seems perfect for a suppressor. Are you aware of anybody doing this?

[@Candrsenal]

+Walt Dies At The End Not that I know of. Being a low-mass blowback it is probably limited in how much you could reduce.

[@thurin84]

when are you going to do a c96 broomhandle mauser?

[@Candrsenal]

+milcoll73 Today.

[@thurin84]

AWESOME!!!!!

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Walter style needs a 'dressy' Mae; hence the basic black dress and...pearls even!

[@clayronso3932]

Hello Mae!

[@maewinchester2030]

Hey! What's up?

[@dancrockett7370]

Are you saying this Walther is better than the FN 08?

[@MitchellCH]

Spoilers: War were not declared a 4th time

[@Peter-der-gute-vegane-Hirte]

Is this pistol drop safe? Thanks

[@ArcticTemper]

Could you guys do the Martini-Henry Rifle?

[@Candrsenal]

+Pavel Sikora nailed it. All small arms are game and once we have the major WWI stuff wrapped up we will begin a random walk.

[@lptomtom]

+Pavel Sikora Funnily enough, they did use Martini Henry rifles during ww1, primarily to shoot incendiary ammo at observation balloons!

[@lptomtom]

Well, it was essentially in the early war days, and I guess it's because the larger 577/450 bullet had more room for incendiary components. See this page: www.martinihenry.com/450577.htm ("Royal Laboratory Incendiary Mark I, 1914. Also referred to as "RL Flaming bullet". Used in Martini carbines for early air war against Zeppelins")

[@snowwhite7677]

Yes but heel releases like you Mae, heel releases like you!

[@DeltaGreenA]

Is your archivist REALLY called Georgy Zhukov?! If so, damn, I wish I had parents like him :)

[@Candrsenal]

+Guilherme Martins Internet collaboration means Internet names.

[@BIG-DIPPER-56]

Nice 🙂😎👍

[@johnaffleck6572]

Mae is a good pistol shot. This seems like a really excellent design; but she forgot to say it was "adorable"; ( like the Carcano Carbine). just joking.

[@mm06360]

I wonder if it was an accident the Walther pistol episode is marked 007?

[@Candrsenal]

+mm06360 I don't get it

[@bojanmilankovic]

+C&Rsenal James Bond, Agent 007, carried a Walther PPK!

[@Candrsenal]

Bojan Milankovic who is he then?