A Limited Edition .380 Walther PPK/S, 1 of 500

 Greg    Walther PPK/S .380    October 14, 2020

PPK is the abbreviation for Polizei Pistole Kriminal. The "S" in PPK/S stands for Sport or Sporting. The PPK/S was developed following the enactment of the Gun Control Act of 1968 in the United States, the pistol's largest market. One of the provisions of GCA68 banned the importation of pistols and revolvers not meeting certain requirements of length, weight, and other "sporting" features into the United States.

Walther PPK/S .380 Talo Royal Eagle Premier Limited Edition

The PPK failed the "Import Points" test of the GCA68 by a single point. Walther addressed this situation by combining the PP's frame with the PPK's barrel and slide to create a pistol that weighed slightly more than the PPK. The additional ounce or two of weight of the PPK/S compared to the PPK was sufficient to provide the extra needed import points.

Walther PPKS

Almost everything in life has a good side and a bad side. Thanks to the GCA of 1968 we have the PPK/S. Because United States law allowed domestic production, as opposed to importation of the PPK, manufacture began under license in Alabama in 1978 and lasted about 20 years (ended in 1999 I believe).

From 2002 to 2013 S&W made these guns in Houlton, Maine which is where the 500 guns of this Limited Edition Set were made in 2008.

Walther PPKS

The version currently manufactured by Walther Arms in Fort Smith, Arkansas has been modified by Smith & Wesson by incorporating a longer grip tang (S&W calls it "extended beaver tail"), better protecting the shooter from slide bite, i.e., the rearward-traveling slide's pinching the web between the index finger and thumb of the firing hand, which could be a problem with the original design for people with larger hands or an improper grip, especially when using "hotter" cartridge loads.

LIMITED EDITION Talo Royal Eagle Premier

This gun is a Walther PPK/S Semi Automatic 380acp Pistol, Serial Number 0188REP, Limited Edition from Talo, Royal Eagle Premier 188 of 500 Made. FEATURES: 3" Barrel, High Polished Blue Finish, Wood Grips, Gold Enhanced, 1 magazine, and Wooden Display Case with Keys. CONDITION: Excellent as new in the Original Box.

Walther PPKS

The PPK/S differs from the PPK as follows:

• Overall height is 4.1 inches vs 3.9 inches for the PPK
• Width is 1.2 inches for PPK/S vs 1 inch for PPK
• Weight for the PPK/S is 1.8 oz more than the PPK
• The PPK/S magazine holds 7 .380 rounds vs 6 rounds in the PPK.

When I first saw this gun online I had to do a double-take. Normally I'm not drawn to the gold embossing or inlays, but those Eagles are pretty awesome. I immediately noticed that the Eagle on one side was a German Eagle and the one on the other side was an American Eagle. The finish of the gun and the grips are really first class. Plus, who doesn't love the gun that James Bond made so famous?

Walther PPKS

My No Safe Queens Rule

After winning the auction the first thing I did was put in an order for a custom made holster for the Walther with Southern Trapper. This gun will not be a "Safe Queen." The holster is suede lined. Update: September 20,2022: I can't bring myself to carry it. I worry about the gold. It has become a "Safe Queen" and will likely soon have to find a new home.