This is a mid range HP. It has an alloy frame which was left bright. This pistol has
a serial number that is long past the normal serial number range for the alloy frames.
The barrel has been renumbered over a number very close to the current one. It
has a "horseshoe" sear that was experimented with in earlier Walthers. The right
barrel block has "35" stamped on it. The grips are carved walnut and very nicely
done. The finish on the barrel and slide is very thin due to abuse. I have no idea how
this gun came to be but it certainly is an interesting one.
The frame is a prototype that has the normal machining cuts (same as steel frames) that
were eliminated from the normal production of alloy frames.
The story is that this pistol was brought home by the vet. He used it as his "camp"
pistol and kept it stored on a hook in his cabin for many years. The present owner
saw the gun a long time ago and said that the bluing on the barrel and slide were very
nice at that time. Also, the carving on the grips was much more pronounced than now.
The present owner tried to buy the pistol when he first saw it but the vet refused until
recently.
Collector/researcher Orv Reichert feels that the components in this pistol were earlier
parts that were assembled later. The parts date from, probably, 1941 where the
serial number of this pistol would seem to indicate early 1943. It is very doubtful that
the grips are original.
Note: Be sure to read comments associated with the pictures on the "Pistol Images" page.