GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
EXTRAORDINARY WALTHER ARMEE PISTOLE WITH LONG BARREL, ALLOY FRAME, MATCHING STOCK AND TWO MATCHING MAGAZINES. WALTHER AP 010 9MM MODERN; C&R; IMPORT Cal. 9mm. Walther only made 10 long bbl shoulder stocked Armee pistols for military review before production of the standard 5" barreled APs, so only very rarely is such a gun offered for sale. As true for all of these early pistols, it has 7-7/8" bbl with a ramped drift adjustable front sight and a 2-position rear sight. The reinforced AP slide has a 2-line address on the left side marked "Waffenfabrik Walther Zella Mehlis (Thur) / (Walther Banner) Armee-Pistole Cal. 9m/m." The right side of the slide is marked "Walther's Patent". Most unusual in having an alloy frame, generally considered a later development. This all matching gun is serial numbered on the right side of the bbl, right side of locking lug, takedown lever, and right side of frame. Fitted with crisply checkered wood panels, each internally numbered "46" (crossed out), "12" (penciled out), and then "10" in pencil. All AP pistols in the series were shipped with two magazines that were numbered individually. In this case, the pistol would have been issued with magazine #010-19 (original) and #010-20 (a replacement). Complete with the orig matching stock made from two pieces of wood having the levered lug that snugly attaches to the tang. Complete with unique orig canvas carrier. PROVENANCE: Ex-Visser Collection; Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess; The Esteemed Collection Of Noted Expert And Author Warren Buxton. CONDITION: Superb 98% orig salt blue bbl and slide. Anodized frame with very slight thinning on the front strap. Comparable condition fire-blued safety. A previously noted stress crack near the rear of the slide cover has been perfectly repaired. Grip panels with orig varnish, deep crisp checkering, in same condition as the balance of the pistol. Mirror bore and perfect manual mechanics. Matching stock is in the same excellent condition with light unstained wood showing no cracks or chips. Original salt blue lug and hinge are in the same exemplary condition as is the canvas carrier. One of the most charismatic Walther pistols in existence, with important military history, and the forefather of the P38. 51568-20 LMA (60,000-90,000)