[bbrown]

I recently acquired a Walther Model 4 and am looking for some information about it.


Download Attachment: walther_model_4_left.jpg
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Download Attachment: walther_model_4_right.jpg
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This one has

- 7 slide serrations
- no disassembly lever
- simple front sight
- no rear sight, just a groove along the top
- no markings on the right side of the slide
- Walther patent notice and banner on the left side of the slide
- crown/N proof and a military inspection stamp on the left side of the slide
- crown/N on the left side behind the trigger
- GM enclosed in a shield on the front left side of the trigger guard
- no import marks

From reading Dieter Marschall's book I presume this is one of his Variation 3 models, made by (or assembled by?) Gebrueder Merkel and used in the Imperial Army.

Does anyone have any additional information to add (or correct), such as an approximate date of manufacture, etc? Were the pistols made by Gebr. Merkel made entirely by them, assembled by them from Mauser parts, or what? Where was the firm located within the Suhl area?

How common are the ones made by Gebr. Merkel compared to, say, those made by Mauser and Meffert? Are there any manufacturing differences between the Mauser made ones and those made by Merkel and Meffert?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Bryan

 

[Marschall]

Hello,
I need to have the full serial no. in order to be able to help you.
Dieter H. Marschall.

 

[bbrown]

Hello, Dieter,

wonderful book you have, don't know how I got along without it.

The serial number is 60999.

Thanks,

Bryan

 

[Marschall]

Hello Bryan,
Gebrüder Merkel made those Mod. 4s under licence by Carl Walther. They used minor parts from local subcontractors. Your Mod. 4 was obviously made very early in December 1915, but not accepted by the army commission - hence no acceptance stamp. So it was sold on the commercial market.
Dieter.

 

[Jan C Still]

Marshall said: "Your Mod. 4 was obviously made very early in December 1915, but not accepted by the army commission - hence no acceptance stamp. So it was sold on the commercial market."

Brown said "- crown/N proof and a military inspection stamp on the left side of the slide"
The photograph of Walther No.4 sn 60999, shows the German acceptance stamp (to the right of the word Patent)

Am I missing something here. The Walther no. 4 shown above has a German acceptance stamp. Marshall apparentally says that it doesnt. Are you both talking about the same Walther No. 4??
Jan

Marshall
You have published a number of books. Where can they be purchased? Feel free to advertise on this forum.
Jan

 

[Pancho]

Hello Dieter,
It's great to see you on this forum.
Your Walther book is a gem.
Here's some info on where to get Dieter's book.

bbrown,
Can you post a close up of "military inspection stamp on the left side of the slide" ?

Pancho
Download Attachment: Book-Walther-Dieter-3x72px.jpg
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Here is a Mod. 4 with a Reichswehr Property marking:

Download Attachment: Walther-Mod4-Reichswehr-1.jpg
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Download Attachment: Walther-Mod4-Reichswehr-2.jpg
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Download Attachment: Walther-Mod4-Reichswehr-3.jpg
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[Marschall]

Hello,
"mea culpa" - I simply did not realize the military acceptance stamp on the lhs. of the slide.
Pancho, I always appreciated talking to you!
Best wishes,
Dieter.

 

[bbrown]

> Can you post a close up of "military inspection stamp on the left side of the slide" ?

I've re-chalked and rephotographed the portion of the left side of the slide to show the markings there more clearly:


Download Attachment: markings_closeup.jpg
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Many thanks for all the information.

Bryan

 

[Pancho]

I have a Model 4 with a Kaiser proof test firing mark C/I.
Two questions:
1. What is the scripted letter beneath the crown on Bryan's pistol?
2. Does the C/I mark on mine also represent a "military acceptance stamp" ?

Download Attachment: Walther-Mod4-Matching-Mag-1.jpg
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Download Attachment: Walther-Mod4-Matching-Mag-2.jpg
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Download Attachment: Walther-Mod4-Matching-Mag-3.jpg
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[bbrown]

Pancho asked:

> 1. What is the scripted letter beneath the crown on Bryan's pistol?

Pancho, it looks like a Gothic (not Fraktur) G to me.

Bryan