I HAVE A 1934 RZM THAT IS PRETTY BEAT UP.  IT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS BEEN DRAWN FROM A HOLTER 1000 TIMES.  AS MOST OF THESE 'HONOR WEAPONS' WERE JUST PLACE IN A DRAWER AND CAN BE FOUND IN 'LIKE NEW' CONDITION, I WAS WONDERING WHAT THE CROWD THINKS THIS MEANS.

 

DOES IT MEAN THIS PISTOL BELONGED TO A POLICE OFFICER?  SA OFFICIAL?  OR EVEN SS?

 

THE SERIAL NUMVER 82,6XXX IS NOT QUITE RIGHT FOR SS.

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Even if a German Policeman carried it would have spent most of its life in a holster. My opinion is it was thrown in a pile with all the other surrendered weapons. A GI claimed it and maybe he was on occupation duty and carried it for a time. Upon returning home it may have been carried in someone’s pocket for awhile. I knew a local policeman who carried a WW2 HSC as his off duty gun. My dad had a Luger that looked pretty good until his sons started messing with it. All things considered I think your PPK looks pretty good. 

INTERESTING THOUGHTS, BUT THE WEAR ON THE MUZZLE INDICATES DRAWING AND HOLSTERING

GIVEN THE PATTERN OF MUZZLE WEAR I THINK THE NAZI WAS LEFT HANDED.

BY THE WAY,  WHILE THE PPK IN 380 IS A NASTY SNAPPY THING TO SHOOT,  THE PPK IN 32 AUTO IS TAME AND ACCURATE.

 

IT WAS NEVER MEANT TO FIRE 380 KURZ

Thread moved from a how-to topic to a more appropriate "TR Weapons and Ordnance" thread where more people will see it and comment.  

A FURTHER THOUGHT ON THE MYSTERIOUS WEAR ON THE RZM

 

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT THE RZM WAS HANDED DOWN FROM FATHER TO SON AND THAT SON CARRIED IT IN A HOLSTER IN POST-WAR GERMANY

 

IMPOSSIBLE THAT ANY GERMAN COULD CARRY A CONCEALED OR HOLSTERED WEAPON IN POST-WAR GERMANY

These RZM Walther PPKs were mostly carried by party folks such as NSDAP members or SA guys.  An issue Polizei pistol would have a police inspection marking on the trigger guard.  I have never seen a RZM with a Polizei inspection marking.

 

The holster wear could certainly include postwar wear and tear.  As a matter of fact I carried a Polizei marked PPK as a backup gun for years while on the job.  I know my postwar use would have certainly contributed to the holster and pocket wear.

 

Were you a police officer Sarge?

AS THE NAZI PARTY KEPT METICULOUS RECORDS, I WAS AMAZED THAT NAMES WERE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH AWARDING OF 'HONOR WEAPONS'

On 1/1/2025 at 3:16 PM, the old collector said:

Were you a police officer Sarge?

 

Yes, I retired as a Police Master Sergeant.  I am currently serving as a volunteer Police Chaplain.