Walter company development history. The history of the creation of weapons from the Walther company (Walter), or how UMAREX (Umarex) was bought by Walter. History of the arms company

The pistols of the German company WALTHER, which was founded by Karl Walter in the city of Zella in 1886, are famous all over the world. This settlement merged with the town of Melis in 1919, from that moment a new name for the place of manufacture began to appear on weapons - Zella-Mehlis in Thuringia. With the end of World War II, the company settled on the Danube in the West German city of Ulm. In the Walter family, the most famous designer was Fritz-August Walter (1889-1966), who is the creator of the 1943 model self-loading rifle, as well as the famous P-38, PPK, PP pistols and many other weapon models that had excellent characteristics.

The design of the 1929 Walter pistol was so successful that this model is still in production today. In most countries, including the USSR, this pistol served as a role model. Today, Walter continues to be modernized, this can be clearly seen in the main lines of the Walter P99 semi-automatic pistol, as well as its modified and updated versions PPX, PPQ, PPS and Walter CCP. The CCP is one of the latest in semi-automatic compact pistols designed for concealed carry and self-defense.

History of creation

Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen is a company founded by Carl Walther in 1886. Its headquarters are located in Arnsberg and Ulm. At first, the small company produced sporting rifles and hunting weapons. In 1908, Fritz Walter, the eldest of the five sons of the head of the company, proposed producing the German Model 1 combat pistol, which had a caliber of 6.35 mm. Subsequently, the company began producing pistols in 7.65 and 6.35 mm calibers.

The Model 4 pistol, which had a caliber of 7.65 mm, was ordered in large quantities by the German armed forces in 1915. In the same year, production of the Model 6 pistol began, the first model chambered for the 9 mm cartridge. The 6.35 mm Model 8 was notably popular as an officer, police and civilian weapon; it was produced from 1920 to 1943. One of the smallest samples was the Model 9 chambered for 6.35 mm. The company began producing the popular 7.65 mm PP model “police pistols” in 1929. And already in 1930, a shortened and lightweight PPK model began to be produced, that is, the “criminal police pistol” PPK. PPK pistols used a self-cocking mechanism, which then became widely used.

Since 1931, the German Ministry of Defense began to look for a replacement for the Luger P08. In 1934, the company offered a military-style Walther MP using blowback recoil. During its testing, many shortcomings of this model were discovered, so work was stopped. Engineer Fritz Barthlemens and Fritz Walter received a patent in 1936 for a barrel locking system - a latch that rotates in a vertical plane. This device formed the basis of the newest generation of German military pistols. In 1938, after winning the competition, the new German pistol was adopted by the Wehrmacht as a standard service model called the P38. The P38 also used a fuse, which can be called one of the most successful designs.

After World War II, the bulk of the company fell into the hands of the East German government. It was only in the 1950s that the company resumed operations in the city of Ulm. In 1957, the company continued production of the P38 model for the new West German army, the Bundeswehr. In 1993, the Walter company entered the German Umarex.

Technical characteristics of Walther PP

• Cartridge: 9 mm short (.38 ACP), 7.65 mm (.32 ACP), 6.35 mm (.25 ACP) and .22 LR.
• Working on the principle of giving.
• The power supply is a removable box magazine for 8 rounds.
• Weight - 682 g.
• Length - 173 mm.
• Barrel length - 99 mm.
• The rifling is right-handed, 6 grooves in total.
• Sights - rear sight and front sight.
• The initial bullet speed is 290 m/s.
• Muzzle energy - 196 J.

Design features of the Walther PP pistol

1. The Walter PP and PPK automation circuit is based on blowback recoil. The weapon consists of 39 parts.
2. Trigger mechanism with an open hammer, double action, trigger with a round hole in the spoke. The handle contains a combat cylindrical coiled spring. The trigger force in self-cocking mode is 5.9 kg, and with the hammer cocked it is 2.7 kg. The trigger rod is closed by a bolt and is located in a slot in the frame.
3. The fuse is located on the bolt housing on the left side. To turn off the fuse, the flag is moved to the upper position. When the safety is turned on, the trigger is automatically decocked, the trigger is released safely and the trigger is locked. This includes blocking the firing pin and trigger. In this case, the bolt is not blocked and the weapon can be reloaded with the safety on.
4. During a shot, powder gases press on the bottom of the cartridge case, which acts as an engine piston, and through it on the inertial bolt installed in the barrel casing. The trigger mechanism for the PP pistol is trigger type.
5. The pistol is disassembled as follows: it is put on safety and unloaded. The trigger guard is pulled down and held in this position. The bolt is pulled back completely, rises a lot and is smoothly released forward, removed from the barrel. Assembly is performed in reverse order.

Modifications

The Walther PP and PPK models were produced in various versions and modifications for cartridges of various calibers. The total number of pistols produced is over a million. The main modifications were the following:

• Walther PPK-L – variant of Walther PPK.
• Walther PPK/S is an export version chambered for 9x17 mm, created in 1968 for the USA.
• Walther PP Super - version chambered for 9x18 mm.
• Walther PPK/E - variant chambered for 9x17 mm, 7.65x17 mm and .22 LR.

Pneumatic, gas and traumatic pistols

1. The Umarex Walther model PPK is a special 8mm gas pistol. It is made of powder alloy. To eliminate the possibility of firing a live cartridge, there is a splitter in the barrel bore.
2. Walther Super PP is a 9mm gas pistol. Made from lightweight aluminum alloy. To eliminate the possibility of a live cartridge being fired, a splitter is also installed in the barrel bore.
3. Umarex Walther mod. PP - traumatic pistol of 10 mm caliber.
4. ERMA RR-T is a 9 mm caliber traumatic pistol. This model was first introduced in 2010. The pistol is similar to the Walther PP. The frame is made of black anodized aluminum alloy, and the slide is made of steel.
5. ERMA 55P is a 9 mm caliber traumatic pistol. Produced by the company "ERMA-Inter". Externally similar to Walther PPK.
6. UMAREX WALTHER PPK/S is a 4.5 mm pneumatic gas pistol. Manufactured by the German company Umarex. A special design ensures cocking of the hammer and movement of the barrel housing after the shot.

Video about the Walter pistol

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The small company initially produced hunting weapons and sporting rifles of the Martini system. In 1908, on the initiative of 19-year-old Fritz Walter, the eldest of the five sons of the company’s founder (later each of them was responsible for separate areas of the family business), the company began producing Model 1 pistols in 6.35 mm caliber. The following model numbers had calibers of 6.35 mm or 7.65 mm. Since 1915, Walter "Model 4" pistols of 7.65 mm caliber have been ordered in large quantities by the German armed forces. In 1915, production of the first Walter pistol chambered for the 9 mm Model 6 cartridge began. The 6.35 mm pocket Model 8, produced from 1920 to 1943, was notably popular as a civilian, police and officer weapon. The Model 9 (1921) is one of the smallest pistols ever produced in 6 caliber .35 mm. In 1929, the company began making the popular 7.65 mm “police pistols” model PP, and in 1930, the shortened and lightweight model PPK (“criminal police pistol”). The pistols used a self-cocking mechanism, which later became widely used. A business based on family and national traditions bore fruit.

Since 1931, the German Ministry of Defense began to look for a replacement for the Luger P08 pistol with a more advanced one. In 1934, the company introduced the military-style Walther MP, which used blowback recoil. After testing, many shortcomings of this model were revealed, work on it was stopped. In October 1936, Fritz Walter and engineer Fritz Barthlemens received a patent (DRP No. 721702 dated October 27, 1936) for a barrel bore locking system - a latch rotating in a vertical plane. It was this technical solution that formed the basis of the new generation of German military pistols.

The new model, after winning competitive tests in 1938, was adopted by the Wehrmacht as a standard service pistol under the name P38. In its shortened bolt, the continuity of German gunsmiths from Luger can be traced. In addition to the new locking mechanism, the P38 uses a safety lock, which without any reservations can be considered one of the most successful designs.

After World War II, most of the enterprise fell into the hands of the new East German government, and for many years the company was unable to regain its place in the market. Only at the end of the 2000s the company resumed its work, now in Germany, in the city of Ulm. The company continued production of the P38 (renamed P1) in 1957 in order to supply the new West German Bundeswehr army. Fritz Walter, who headed the company since 1915 after the death of his father, died in 1966 at the age of 77. During his lifetime, the main ideologist of “Walter” was awarded the Diesel medal, but at the same time, he refused the well-deserved federal Cross of Merit. His son Karl took his place and opened a new direction - sports weapons and sports equipment. In 1993, the company Walther entered into the German holding Umarex.

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Walther P.P.- Allgemeine Information Entwickler/Hersteller: Carl Walther GmbH, Zella Mehlis ... Deutsch Wikipedia

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Great gunsmiths: Karl Walter

History of the legendary Walther

Pistols from the German company are famous all over the world. WALTHER, founded in 1886 in Zella by Karl Walter.

In 1919, this settlement merged with the town of Melis, and from then on, a new name for the place of production of Zella-Mehlis in Thuringia appeared on the weapon. After World War II, the company settled in the West German city of Ulm on the Danube. The roots of the creator Karl Walter go back to the 18th-19th centuries.

The ancestors of Karl Walter can be traced under the name Johann Georg Walter in the church books of Rudolstadt since 1740. History is silent, but it is possible that Johann Walter was familiar with the great Schiller. Although the metric has not been preserved, it is known that Johann Christian Friedrich Walter was born on June 11, 1764, and married on January 19, 1790. on Johann August Barbara Urlauger from the same city.

In 1800 the family moved to Kreuzburg, where Walter worked as a lawyer. One of his sons was Heinrich Bernhard Walter, born November 4, 1801.

In 1825, Heinrich Walter married a representative of the Bodenschanz family, associated with the production of weapons.

Three years later, in November 1827, a second son was born, August Theodor Albert Walter, who eventually became a master tinsmith. After marrying the daughter of arms manufacturer Wilhelm Pistor, also in November, but already in 1858, Karl Wilhelm Walter was born, who became the founder of the Walter arms dynasty. In 1888, Karl Walter tied himself into family ties with the daughter of a famous revolver manufacturer, Minna Pickert (Arminius revolvers).

The Walter Werke arms company in Zella-Mehlis (Thuringia) was founded in 1886 by Karl Walter (1858-1915). But the most famous designer in the Walter family was his son Fritz-August (1889-1966). He is the creator of the famous pistols PP, PPK, P-38, self-loading rifle mod. 1943 and many other successful weapon models. The design of the Walter pistol of the 1929 model turned out to be so good that it is still produced to this day. In many countries, including the USSR, she served as a role model.

At first, Walter’s small workshop was engaged in the manufacture of only Martini rifles. Then, one day, Karl Walter's eldest son, while in Berlin and experiencing financial difficulties, received 5 pistols from his younger brother to sell. After examining them, he did not sell them, but dismantled the weapons and persuaded his father to switch from producing the brands of revolvers known at that time to pistols.

In 1908, the first model of the Walther system appeared, caliber 6.35 mm. Karl Walter modestly called this model “Model 1”. It was a small pocket pistol with a striker hidden inside. The original device had a non-automatic fuse. It was a rod in a transverse through hole on the pistol body. Turning the fuse on and off was done by moving it to the right or left.

The head of the family was not a businessman or business executive. He constantly spent time in his weapons workshop, doing pure design. Responsibilities in the Walter family were distributed as follows: three sons were involved in production, the fourth son was in sales, and the fifth was in weapon design.

Already in 1909, the second model of the Walter pistol, cal. 6.35 mm. This pistol had an oval window on the bolt casing for ejecting spent cartridges, located on the right. Flag type fuse.

"Model 3", 1910, is designed in the same way, but its caliber is larger - 7.65 mm, and the window on the shutter casing is located on the left. Models 4-7 of 1910, 1913, 1915 and 1917 were also similar in design. respectively. They differed only in calibers, sizes and some details. Among them, it should be noted “Model 4”, which sold out very well.

"Model 6" was in service with the army as an auxiliary model during World War I. After World War I, the Walter company produced pocket pistols - “model 8” 1920, “9” and “9A”, 1921.

By the end of the 20s. The Walter company began creating a pistol, which, according to its data, without going beyond the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, would have qualities close to those of military models. Such a pistol appeared in 1929 under the name "PP" (Politsaypistole). It had a number of advantages, but the greatest of them was a self-cocking firing mechanism, which made it possible to fire the first shot without first cocking the hammer. This device was invented before the 1st World War, but it was only on Walter pistols that it became widespread and served as a model for imitation.

In 1931, the production of "PPK" (Politsaypistole criminal) pistols began, the same as the "PP", but in slightly reduced sizes. The design of the 1929 Walter pistol turned out to be very successful, so in a number of countries it served as a model for the creation of new pistols designed almost exactly the same. These pistols are still produced and used (mainly by the police) in many countries, and in addition to models of 7.65 mm and .22 LR caliber, models of 9 mm caliber have appeared.

"Walter PPK" is a special weapon that is still in great demand all over the world and has an amazing history. “Honor is loyalty” - this was the inscription on all the PPK gift pistols that Heinrich Himmler awarded to the most loyal members of his security service. Instead of a serial number, they were engraved with the date November 9, 1944.

Hermann Goering, one of the leaders of the Third Reich, who adored pomp, appeared everywhere with a gold-plated personalized pistol "PPK", the handle of which was made of ivory and on one side there was an emblem with the initials of the owner, and on the other - a symbol of imperial power. This pistol was given to Hermann Goering by the Walter family.

For his 50th birthday, Adolf Hitler also received a gold-plated "PPK", individually made by "Walter PPK", which was then presented to one of the German pilots. In 1987, this pistol appeared at auction and was sold for $115 thousand.

For the 100th anniversary of the Walter company, it itself received a unique copy of the “PPK” as a gift. One of the engravers, Joseph Eichholzer, gave the company his own engraved pistol “PPK” in the anniversary version with the inscription:

"For the 100th anniversary and 24 years of good cooperation, handed over by Josef Eichholzer. Engraving workshop. Ulm/Danube. March 1986."

In 1932, the Walter company began producing a pistol of the shortened PPK model for the police as a second (pocket) weapon.

Principle of operation: blowback recoil

The semi-automatic pistol "Walter" model PPK/S was the logical conclusion of the PP series. In terms of size and appearance, it is almost identical to the PPK model using 380 Auto ammunition and differs in minor changes in the outline of certain elements of the appearance. The magazine of the new model remains the same as that of the PPK pistol of 7.65 mm caliber - 7 rounds.

The pistol handle, despite the large caliber of cartridges used, is not very voluminous, and therefore is comfortable to grip, and the shaped protrusion of the plastic magazine cover, being a kind of continuation of the handle, provides support for the fingers.

The frame is made of light metal alloy and has a matte light anodized steel finish.

The effective range of an aimed shot, according to the company’s documentation, is 25 m, however, the results of scattering shooting at a greater distance (up to 40 m) turned out to be acceptable.

At the end of the 1930s, the designers of the Walter company began developing a new pistol model, which was intended to provide officers for the German air force and naval forces. The Mauser pistol model HXC, which came into service in 1939, did not meet wartime demands. The requirements put forward by the Air Force command boiled down primarily to two fundamental criteria - to ensure a large stopping effect of the weapon with minimal size and weight.

When developing a new model, it was decided to take the design of the PP model pistol (1929) as a basis and use the experience gained when creating the P-38 pistol (1938), and use a 9-mm cartridge as ammunition, called “Ultra”. "(Ultra), or it is also often called - “Police”.

This 9x18 cartridge, in its parameters, occupies an intermediate position between the 9x17 “short” and 9x19 “parabellum” cartridges and is very close to the 9x18 cartridge of the Makarov pistol.

The modern Walter pistol (PP-super) has significantly changed its appearance. The shape of the front post of the trigger safety guard has become almost vertical, which provides a more comfortable grip of the weapon with two hands. The effective range of an aimed shot, according to the company’s documentation, is 40 m, however, the results of hits at a greater distance turned out to be acceptable.

The trigger mechanism is double-action, with a trigger force of 2.7 and 4.4 kg, respectively, with the hammer cocked and self-cocking. The frame is made of a light metal alloy and has plastic handle linings with horizontally positioned shaped ribs for better retention of the weapon, as on the P-38 model. The magazine release mechanism button has moved slightly lower compared to the PP model, which has given room for the bolt stop lever to be placed.

This pistol can be considered a universal self-defense weapon. It is not for nothing that its production, according to the Walter company patent, was established not only in Europe (Hungary, Poland, France), but in the USA and in the East (Turkey, North Korea). This series successfully combines all the positive things that have been achieved not only by Walter, but also by other manufacturers of weapons of this class. The pistol of this model was recognized by law enforcement officers, customs officers, forestry officers and others as a reliable service weapon. It is also an excellent self-defense weapon, proven over decades and recognized throughout the world.

As with the PP, post-war modifications are somewhat larger. Easily recognized by the cover plate of the magazine, which provides support for the little finger of the shooting hand. The hybrid PPK/S model uses a PPK bolt and barrel on a PP frame, but in order to circumvent the restrictions of the 1968 US Law, the thickness of the pistol was increased. This model was sold to a limited extent in the USA.

Since 1931, the German Ministry of Defense began to look for a replacement for Georg Luger's Parabellum 08, which was very complex in manufacturing technology and very expensive, with a more advanced one.

Fritz Walter immediately set about developing a 9-mm parabellum instead of the little-used 08 caliber from Luger. For the first time in the world, Fritz Walter began to use light metals for a new model of pistol: aluminum and tin. Even tests of new weapons were carried out unofficially, since there was no confidence in a positive result. But Walter was confident that he was right and had no doubt that the time would definitely come to use light metals for the manufacture of weapons.

In addition, Fritz Walter, an adherent of saving metal when creating weapons and using lightweight, convenient designs, created a handle with a unique design for the Walter P 38. First of all, Walter abandoned the lining of the handle, and the balancing of the pistol was done so mathematically precisely that it made it possible to significantly reduce the amount of metal consumed.

In 1939, production began and by the middle of the year the first hundred P 38 pistols were handed over to the army. At the same time, the well-known brand “Walter P 38” was assigned to a slightly modified model with only the number 1020. The P-38 pistol was more advanced than the “Parabellum” and was supposed to supplant it over time. Since the introduction of this pistol began with arming officers with it, it was sometimes unofficially called an officer’s pistol, and “Parabellum” - a soldier’s pistol.

The P 38 pistol proved itself so successful that in 1940 the Mauser company received a government order to switch from the traditional Parabellum to the Walther P 38.

"P 38" is a self-loading pistol with a double-action trigger - the first with such a trigger among full-size military pistols chambered for a powerful cartridge. Its automation is built according to a scheme with a short barrel stroke and a locked bolt. The coupling of the barrel and the bolt is carried out by a special larva located under the barrel and swinging in a vertical plane.

When fired, the barrel and the bolt move back a few millimeters, then the larva “bumps” into the frame of the pistol and falls down, disengaging from the bolt.

The barrel with the cylinder fixed underneath stops, and the bolt continues its movement back, performing a full cycle of reloading the weapon. The pistol has a distinctive appearance due to the short bolt with a large window on top. On the back side of the bolt, above the open hammer, there is an indicator of the presence of a cartridge in the chamber. The fuse is located on the left side of the bolt; the slide stop latch is located on the frame under the fuse. In the front part of the frame there is a locking latch for disassembling the pistol. An interesting feature of the P 38 design (later inherited from the Beretta 92 pistol, along with the locking scheme) is that the trigger rod is located outside the frame, on the right side of the weapon.

The cheeks of the handle are made of black or brown plastic, the magazine latch is made on the heel of the handle. The sight is constant.

During the Second World War, the number of P 38s produced exceeded tens of millions of copies. For one Wehrmacht division alone, about 4,000 “officer Walters” were required. Pistols "Walter P 38" remained in service in West Germany after the Second World War. In addition, these pistols have gained worldwide fame and are currently in service in dozens of countries around the world.

Models 1 to 9 are not produced after World War 2. Instead, pocket models "TP" (Tashenpistole) and "TPH" (Tashenpistole mithan) appeared. Both pistols are chambered for the standard 6.35 mm Browning cartridge. New 9-mm Walter pistols also appeared. They are listed below.

— Walter PP Super “The design is similar to the Walter PP, 1929, but its external forms are more “modern.” A significant difference from the “PP” is the use of a new cartridge called “9 mm polis” or 9 x 18 "ultra" (the number 18 indicates the length of the sleeve in millimeters). This cartridge in size and power occupies an intermediate position between the 9 mm K and 9 mm Par cartridges. The peculiarity of the cartridge is that the diameter of the flange of its sleeve is smaller than the diameter of the sleeve itself, as well as smaller than the flange diameters of other 9 mm cartridges, which therefore cannot be used in the PP Super pistol.

- P-4. A shortened and lightweight (aluminum alloy body) version of the “P 38” model. The safety lever on the bolt serves only to safely release the trigger and blocks the firing pin only for the duration of the release. There is also a safety device associated with the position of the trigger. Produced since 1976, the P-38K differs from the P-4 only in its shorter barrel length and the location of the front sight on the bolt housing.

- P-5. Further development of the P-38 and P-4 models.

— P-88. The main difference from previous Walter models of this military pistol is the double-row arrangement of cartridges in the magazine (the magazine is removable, it holds 15 rounds). The pistol operates on the principle of using recoil energy with a short barrel stroke.

The trigger mechanism is self-cocking with an open trigger. The pistol has been produced since 1986. The history of the P 88 is extremely eventful. It began with missed opportunities and ended with a serious reduction in production. In the mid-80s, NATO began replacing it with a single NATO caliber. Along with Browning and the American JSSAP, Walter also took part in this program since 1978, presenting the Model P 88 for review.

In 1983, the number of "P 88" began to decline, since the Browning weapon concept used in the "P 88" was unattractive for civilian and sporting weapons. The fate of this model is sad. Despite significant labor and financial costs, a huge number of modifications, in the end the “Model P 88” was not in demand.

— “Model PP 90” introduced a new all-metal design, previously used in the classic “PP”. But this happened too late for the market. After the failure with "P 88" in the world, it seemed that "Walter" had taken a time out. In fact, behind closed doors, the development of the all-metal P 99 pistol, Agent 007's favorite pistol, was underway.

— “Model P 99” was launched into production in October 1996.

However, the year of creation of this model, despite the number 99, dates back to 1994. At that time it had a working title of "HPL". Literally it could be translated “A pistol without a sledgehammer.” This model fully met all the requirements of weapons of the late twentieth century. The development of the P 99 pistol by Walther (Carl Walther Sportwaffen GmbH.) began in 1994. The main goal was to create a modern pistol for police and self-defense, capable of achieving greater commercial success than its predecessor, the Walter P-88, which, despite its excellent characteristics, turned out to be too expensive. The creation of P 99 was completed by 1996, and the result was quite successful.

— The Walter P 99 pistol is built according to a short-stroke design. locking - according to a modified Browning scheme, where the barrel is lowered, interacting with a fixed pin in the frame and engages with the bolt through a window for ejecting cartridges. The trigger mechanism is striker-fired, double-action, but a QA (Quick Action) modification is also available, in which the striker is always in a partially cocked state and is re-cocked each time the trigger is pressed (somewhat similar to Glocks). This scheme ensures that the trigger force remains constant for all shots.

The pistol does not have external non-automatic safeties; instead, there is a button for safely decocking the firing pin (located at the top in the rear of the bolt. In addition, there are three automatic safeties - blocking the firing pin when dropped, blocking the firing pin when the bolt is not fully closed, and an automatic safety on the trigger .

The pistol frame is made of polymer materials and has a black or dark green (in the "military" version) color. A characteristic feature of the “P 99” is that the rear part of the handle is removable, and three interchangeable rear parts of different sizes are supplied with the pistol - to fit the hand of each individual shooter. In addition, a recoil damper is built into the rear of the handle. On the front of the frame under the barrel, in accordance with the latest fashion, there are guides for attaching a laser pointer or flashlight. According to many reviews, the P 99 is an excellent pistol, characterized by high reliability and good accuracy, especially in the version chambered for 9mm.

It is worth noting that the well-known James Bond, the unsinkable agent 007, after many years replaced the reliable, but already outdated “Walter PPK” with a brand new, brand new “P 99”, which the Walter company was not slow to take advantage of for advertising purposes. In terms of its combat qualities, this model is superior to Russian and Japanese pistols - these words belong to one of the most famous experts in the field of weapons, Major Boosroyd and concerned the Walter PPK model. This statement was adopted by the author of works about James Bond, Ian Fleming. "Walter R 5", cal. 9 mm, "Walter LP 53", "PPK", "PP", "P 38", "P 5", "P 88" were in particular demand among Hollywood film directors. A special place among them was given to the indispensable assistant of any agent - the Walter PPK pistol.

In 1953, their production was restored as purely sporting and hunting rifles. The Walter company did not ignore hunting rifles with optical sights. Excellent combat qualities combined with unique German optics allowed the Walter rifles to take leading positions among other leaders in the production of sporting and hunting small-caliber rifles.

WA 2000 looks like a prop from Lucas' Star Wars. Released in 1981 by Walter, the WA 2000 sniper rifle immediately created a sensation due to its futuristic design. Being a kind of “Rolls-Royce” among other sniper rifles, it also has a corresponding price. WA 2000 is made according to the bullpup design. Its automation operates using the energy of powder gases. The main structural element - the barrel - is of particular importance for this weapon, which requires high shooting accuracy. It is rigidly attached to the frame at the front and back so that when fired it does not move away from the selected target.

The WA 2000 is usually equipped with a Schmidt and Bender telescopic sight (x2.5-x10), but other sights are also compatible with this rifle. For best target results, precision-guided ammunition should be used.

Of all the commercially available cartridges, the .300 Winchester Magnum is the best suited for this rifle. Others, such as the 7.62 mm NATO cartridge and the 7.5 mm Swiss cartridge, can only be used if the bolt and barrel are replaced.

Despite its impressive appearance, the WA 2000 is hardly a combat weapon. This rifle is too heavy and expensive for mass production. However, it is ideally suited for the needs of the police and intelligence services.

The first gas pistols and rocket launchers

Along with gas pistols, starting pistols and rocket launchers appeared. International professionals still consider the rocket launcher to be the best among other models. Just like "PPK", Model "P 99" was redesigned into the signal and gas version "P 99" P.A.K. Sales of this model began in 1996.

In 1993, the message came out like a bomb exploding: “Umarex is buying Walter.” Umarex, specializing in gas and signal weapons, decided to expand its production and on January 1, 1993, Umarex's subsidiary PW-Interfrms GmBH bought a 90% stake in Walter. 10% belong to Karl Walter’s wife, Ira, and son, Iorgan Walter.

The UMAREX group includes:
UMAREX Sportwaffen GmbH & Co. KG, Arnsberg
Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen
Mayer & Wonisch GmbH & Co. KG
Pyrotechnik Silberhutte GmbH, Silberhutte
Furstenberg Holzwaren GmbHf Arnsberg
Umarex Sport & Freizeit GmbH & Co. KG, Osterreich
Umarex Moskau GU AG, RuBland
PW ARMS GmbH & Co. KG, Dortmund
PW ARMS Sportwaffen GmbH & Co. KG, Osterreich

At the same time, the fame of the Walter company is so great in the world that, even after the sale and merger with Umarex, it allowed them to retain the Walter logo. The fame of "Walter" also affected sporting events, in which "Umarex" plays one of the main roles. After the purchase of "Walter" by Umarex, it was decided to preserve and increase the value of the "Walter" trademark. Initially, Umarex allocated 10 million marks to advertise the Walter as a sporting weapon. For this purpose, the Walter Weapons Cup began to be held. Along with sporting weapons, Umarex also develops and sells security weapons, which include small-caliber and gas weapons.

Fritz Walter was involved in the creation of signal pistols back in 1920 and in 1926 received a patent for the development of a new model. International professionals still consider this model to be the best among other rocket launcher options.

In the early 30s, small-caliber semi-automatic Walter rifles (KJS, KKJ, KKH) became widespread and were in great demand.

In 1953, their production was restored as purely sporting and hunting rifles.

The Walter company did not ignore hunting rifles with optical sights. The merits of the creators and successors of the Walter company did not go unnoticed by the public and government agencies.

Thus, Fritz Walter (died in 1966 at the age of 77, his place was taken by Karl Walter), the main ideologist of “Walter”, accepted the Diesel medal. At the same time, he refused the well-deserved federal Cross of Merit.

For practically a whole century, the timeless “Walter” trademark ruled the roost in the production of weapons and on the weapons market, amazing the world with its new technical achievements. The founder on the German side is the UMAREX arms concern, which celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in 2002.

The UMAREX concern owns the famous WALTHER company, whose 100th anniversary was celebrated in 1986, as well as a number of weapons production facilities for gas, pneumatic, short-barreled firearms, and pyrotechnic products.

The first Walther pistol appeared in the family arms company Walther Werke, which deals with hunting and sporting weapons, thanks to the persistence of the eldest son Fritz August of its owner Karl. The craftsmen did not give their products special loud names, denoting them simply and briefly - Model 1, Model 2, Model 3 and so on.

The weapon received markings later, when the army and police became interested in them - P 38 (Pistole and the year of serial production began in 1938) and PP (Polizei Pistole, entering the series in 1929).

History of the arms company

In Walter Werke's workshop in Zella-Mehlis, owner Karl Wilhelm assembled Martini sporting rifles. In 1903, the capacity increased to a three-story building, in which 50 workers worked on 50 machines. Of the master's five sons, three older brothers devoted themselves to gunsmithing - Fritz August, Georg Karl and Willy Alfred.

In 1908, Fritz improved the design of the Model 1 pistol, he convinced his father to add it to the company's range of hunting weapons, so the mobilization of the Walter family during the First World War, which began in 1914, was not affected. The company urgently increased its capacity, producing Model 1 pistols for the army as early as 1916 on 750 machines with the help of 500 workers.

In the same year, the company received an order for machine gun bolts from MG08, Fritz created the Model 6 chambered for 9 mm, and took over the company due to the death of his father. In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was concluded - the ban on the production of military weapons in Germany was observed for 1.5 years. The company survived solely on sporting weapons.

After the ban was lifted in 1920, the development of commercial weapons was allowed. Fritz develops three pocket pistols - the Model 8, Model 9 and Model 9A. By 1929, the PP series of police-style self-cocking pistols was developed, and all design errors were corrected. In 1931, modifications of the PP and PPK went into production for the 7.65 mm cartridge caliber. Later, weapon options appeared chambered for 6.35 x 15 mm, 9 x 17 mm and small-caliber .22LR.

In 1931, the German Ministry of Defense considered that the Luger-Parabellum 08 no longer met the requirements of a personal army weapon:

• the cost of one unit exceeded $19;
• Luger was sensitive to contamination;
• the trigger did not allow shooting with gloves;
• ejecting cartridges upward is inconvenient when shooting from the body, as they hit the face.

In the same year, a competition was announced for the development of inexpensive military weapons chambered for the 9 mm cartridge. Fritz Walter applied several original design innovations and provided Model 4 for testing:

• mathematically accurate weapon balancing;
• refusal of expensive handle cladding;
• reduction of material consumption and weight of the gun through the use of alloys and tin;
• reduction in cost to $14 per piece.

The weapon was named Walter P38 after the year it was launched into production. In the Wehrmacht army, the Luger Parabellum remained in service with the soldiers, and the officers switched to the Walter 9 mm caliber.

Fritz died at the age of 77 (1966), handing over the business to his son Karl, having managed to renounce the cross of merit during his lifetime and receiving the Diesel medal.

Assortment of Walter pistols

During the existence of the family business, the Walters were engaged in the manufacture of pistols, rifles and submachine guns. The production of sporting weapons did not stop even during the war.

Combat

According to the company’s own classification, a total of two dozen models of military weapons of this class were developed:

• Model 1 – caliber 6.35, produced since 1908;
• Model 2 – added indication of the cartridge inside the chamber;

  

• Model 3 – caliber 7.65 mm;
• Model 4 - trigger inside the casing, 250,000 units produced;

  

• Model 5 - an improved second model for the civilian market;

  

• Model 6 – 9 mm Luger caliber;

  

• Model 7 - created in 1917, the last version with a removable recoil spring bushing;

  

• Model 8 – small batch for the civilian market;
• Model 9 – caliber 6.35, circulation 130,000;

  

• PP – police pistol;

  

• PPK – shortened analogue;

  

• TPH - pocket trigger, released in 1969;

  

• P4 - aka P38 after being adopted by the Wehrmacht forces;
• P5 – cartridge ejection to the left;

  

• P88 – created for the US Army;

  

• PPQ – for police and sports;

  

• P99 - army version of 1999;
• PPS (Schmal - thin) - released in 2007 for concealed carry;

  

• PPX is a budget option for $500.

  

Two submachine guns, MPL and MPK, appeared much later than the war (60s). The first was used for aimed fire, the second was more suitable for concealed wear.

Sports

Walther companies have created models of sporting pistols:

Walter sporting weapons are highly valued and have a well-deserved brand reputation.

Walter P38

Even before the Second World War, the modification of the Walther P38 received the name “officer’s Walther”. Considering that each division required approximately 4,000 units of these weapons, the Walter Company's capacity was not enough. Their production was mastered in Belgium and Czechoslovakia; from 1941 to 1945 alone, more than 10 million barrels were produced.

This is the most famous model of the Walter pistol from the Second World War, which went through the war and was highly valued as a captured weapon by Soviet officers. At different stages of design, testing and production, the Walther P38 had different designations:

• Model 4 - in internal documentation after receiving a patent for a USM latch that vertically locks the barrel;
• MP - Militar Pistole, a 9 mm military pistol, while working on an order from the German government to produce an inexpensive pistol to replace the Luger;
• AP - Armee Pistole, a 9 mm caliber army pistol, during the development of the latest version.

Thus, in the AR model, the designers combined self-cocking, a secret location of the trigger under the casing, locking the barrel with a swinging latch, a flag-type safety and a short barrel stroke. When testing pistols at the Kumersdorf training ground in 1937, the military pointed out a number of shortcomings:

• high cost of weapons due to complex design;
• hidden trigger.

In the same year, Fritz changed the design of the casing and trigger, and changed the marking of the prototype to HP - Heeres Pistole (military pistol). By analogy with the RR police weapon, a cartridge indicator appeared inside the chamber. After simplifying the safety design, the HP version was approved by the Wehrmacht command, the pistol models received the final official name Walter P38 and went into production.

Characteristics

According to the requirements of the Wehrmacht army authorities, the pistol was created for 9 mm caliber. The characteristics of the weapon are as follows:

• production - Karl Walter's Waffenfactory, later Mauser Werke (Denmark) and Spriverk (Czechoslovakia);
• weight – loaded 990 g, without cartridges 880 g;
• dimensions – 21.6 x 13.6 cm (l/w, respectively);
• USM - trigger type;
• sight - rear sight, front sight;
• device – short recoil of the barrel, lever-type locking;
• USM - trigger;
• magazine – 8 rounds;
• firing range – 200 m maximum, 50 m sighting.

If you completely disassemble the weapon, the kit contains 58 parts. During manufacture, the pistol requires 4.4 kg of metal. Later, two types of suppressors were developed for special forces. The weapon does not need to be disassembled to install them, even partially.

During the war, there was a loss and loss of weapons, so it was necessary to increase production capacity and reduce the cost of the design, therefore the pistol, disassembled in detail, underwent the following design changes:

• the casing and frame were made by stamping from a steel sheet;
• the cheeks became plastic (brown bakelite);
• Instead of bluing, a semi-matte coating was used;
• abandoned the cartridge indicator in the chamber;
• the quality of finishing has decreased.

Shortened versions of the Walter Z 38K were produced for SD and SS units.

Varieties

After the Second World War, the German pistol received several copies and replicas:

• Walter R.4 – 10.4 cm barrel, police version;
• Walter R.1 - an improved modification, produced since 1957.

Umarex has created a pneumatic analogue of the Walter P38 for 4.5 mm caliber. Crosman company - two pneumatic replicas C41 and P-338. The manufacturer Bruni released the ME-38P starting pistol, and EPMA released the gas 38G and traumatic 38P.

Walter RR

Although pistols of the Walther PP modification appeared earlier than the P 38 - in 1929, they are less popular. This is explained by the fact that the weapon was created for the police and was used in very limited quantities in the Wehrmacht army. For comparison, about 1 million pieces were produced, that is, 10 times less than the “officer Walter”.

Two years later, in 1931, a shortened model of the RRK (Polizei Pistole Kriminal) was created. The PPK version was ideal for concealed carry and was used by wartime saboteurs, including Soviet ones. In the USSR, the Walter PP was a reward weapon and was used by diplomatic couriers.

TTX

By default, the technical characteristics of the Walter PP were as follows:

• dimensions – 17 x 10 x 3 cm (l/h/w, respectively);
• weight – 682 g;
• cartridge - 7.65 x 17 mm, 9 x 17 mm, less often 6.35 x 15 mm and small-caliber .22LR;
• ammunition - 8 rounds or 7 rounds in the magazine, depending on the caliber;
• range – 25 m.

By increasing the complexity of the design, the safety of the weapon has been increased. After setting the safety, you can safely drop it, reload it and carry it with a cartridge inside the chamber, and after removing the “flag” you can continue shooting.

Modification of the PPK is 1 cm “lower” and 1.6 cm shorter (the barrel is 1.5 cm smaller and the frame is 1 cm smaller), 0.5 cm thinner. The front part of the bolt casing has a different look, weight is reduced to 590 g , the shot range remained unchanged.

The least frequently used pistols were the Browning 6.35 x 15 mm cartridge (1,000 weapons rolled off the assembly line).

Modifications

The following models of pistols are known, the basic design of which was PP and PPK:

• PP Super - created for the police in 1972 under the 9 x 18 mm Ultra cartridge;
• PPK/E – export version for the European market;
• PPK-L - manufactured in Germany since 1950, frame made of aluminum alloy;
• PPK/S – created for export to the USA under the 9 x 17 mm cartridge.

The Walter PP/PPK design was copied in China, France, Hungary and Turkey. Umarex and EPMA companies produce traumatic, gas and pneumatic copies of Walter PP.

The Walter P5 self-loading pistol was developed in 1979 and adopted by the police of the Bundeswehr, Portugal and Holland. Currently sold to European citizens. The main features of the P5 model are:

• trigger rod on the right side of the frame;
• Double action trigger;
• two return springs;
• short barrel stroke similar to Model 38;
• left-handed case extraction, which is convenient for left-handers;
• several safety devices.

For concealed carry, a variant of the Walther P5 Compact with similar performance characteristics, but smaller in size, was developed and launched into production. The second modification of the P5L is a sports version with an extended barrel.

Walter P22

Polymers were used for the body of the Walter 22 sports pistol; the casing and bolt remained steel. To fit the athlete, removable pads and sights are used. The weapon is a copy of the Model 99, but is shorter and uses a shorter 22 LongRifle cartridge. The combat rate of fire is within 40 rounds per minute, taking into account the reloading of a box magazine with 10 rounds. The weapon range has been increased to 350 m (maximum) and 50 m (aiming).

The Standard model has an 8.7 cm barrel, the Target has a 12.7 cm barrel. The Umarex company produces traumatic and gas modifications of weapons - P22T chambered for 10 x 22 m T and P22 chambered for 9 mm R.A., respectively.

Walter P88

In the XM9 competition, which was held by the US government to re-equip army sergeants and officers, the Walter PP double-action pistol participated with 9 more samples, but did not become the winner. therefore it was purchased by some armies and police units of other countries. The marking of the weapon includes the year of production launch (1988), but in 1996 the weapon was discontinued.

Distinctive features of the Walther P88 are:

• Browning barrel locking diagram;
• internal automatic fuse;
• magazine for 15 rounds of 9 x 19 Parabellum;
• weight 900 g and length 18.7 cm.

The elegant exterior of the weapon did not go unnoticed, so three sports models were released: P88 Competition, P88 Champion and P88 Sport (22LongRifle cartridge). And the manufacturer Umarex has created a pneumatic copy of the CP88 Competition and a gas replica of the P-88 Compact for 4.5 and 9 mm R.A.K. cartridges, respectively.

Walter P99

The Walther P99 combat pistol has been developed to replace the expensive P88 for the armies of the Bundeswehr and Finland. The features of the weapon are:

• High Power circuit shutter;
• rectangular rectangular spring wire;
• Double action trigger;
• polymer weapon frame;
• magazine capacity 12 rounds 40 S&W or 9 rounds 9 x 19 mm Parabellum;
• the body has guides for the laser aiming system;
• right barrel rifling, six-start;
• bullet speed 375 m/s;
• cartridge indicator;
• triple safety system - the firing pin is blocked in the absence or when the magazine is skewed, with a button on the casing the firing pin is safely removed from the combat cocking, the firing pin is blocked when the bolt is not closed and the weapon is accidentally dropped;
• trigger guard force 2.5 kg with a pre-cocked striker or 4.5 kg in self-cocking mode;
• Three rear handle pads included.

For ease of use by law enforcement units solving different problems, the Walter P99 was initially designed in several versions with different trigger mechanisms:

• P88 DAO – no button for safely decocking the firing pin, reloading only with the trigger guard;
• P99Q – requirements for the service pistol of the German police are met;
• P99QA - the Glock-type striker is constantly partially cocked, additional cocking is always carried out by the trigger guard to ensure the same trigger force of 3.8 kg;
• PPQ Navy - designed for water police, manufactured since 2011;
• P99C is a compact option for concealed carry.

Umarex has created several replicas of Walter P99:

• CP99 – pneumatic for 4.5 mm bullet;
• CP99 Compact – pneumatic for 4.5 mm ball;
• P99 DAO (2.5684) – airsoft version with a 6 mm ball with paint;
• P99 RAM – training pneumatics (paintball, airsoft) for 11 mm ball;
• P99T – traumatic weapon chambered for 10 x 22 mm T, light alloy body, 15 rounds in the magazine;
• P99 is a light alloy pistol chambered for a 9 mm R.A. gas cartridge, with 16 rounds in the magazine.

In Germany and Holland, 42 thousand Walter P99 pistols and its modifications are in use. 69,000 weapons have been ordered to Poland, with small quantities sent to Estonia, the Czech Republic, Finland and Ukraine.

Thus, the Walter family company produces military and sporting weapons of the entire range. The most famous is the Walther P38 pistol, used during World War II.