Introduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index
While the PP and PPK were intended for police work, the Walther P 38 was produced for the Germany military; all three pistols have garnered a formidable international reputation since the 1930s.
John Walter is among the world’s most prolific writers on small arms, and the author of 70 books. Adam Hook specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on subjects as diverse as the Aztecs, the Ancient Greeks and the modern Chinese Army. Alan Gilliland writes, illustrates and publishes fiction (www.ravensquill.com), as well as illustrating for a variety of publishers (alangillilandillustration.blogspot.com).
This excellent volume deals with the history of this company, their
various designs from the 1930s and how these pistols were used in
the service of many post-war nations. The PPK and P 38 are the
mainstay of Walther’s reputation and the chapters on their history
are outstandingly informative. There is so much information in this
book that makes this volume a must have book for anyone interested
in these pistols. Osprey Publishing have been producing the Weapon
Series for several years and every book in this Series is an
excellent concise guide to a particular weapon or class of weapons.
This book is yet another outstanding volume added to this Series,
and it is very welcomed. All the books in the Series have a similar
format namely an introduction to the weapon or class of weapons, a
history of their development, a detailed description of their
usage, the long-term impact of the weapon / class of weapons on
future derivatives / designs, a conclusion, and a highly useful
bibliography. If the development of these three Walther handguns
appeals to you then you must consider this book as a necessary
addition to your personal library. It is priced very competitively
and given the quality of the author’s research it is an excellent
publication. There are masses of information on various designs /
sub-variants, serial numbers, engraving and stampings etc which
make this volume a superb read. The author must be congratulated on
this volume and all readers will no doubt be pleased by the high
quality of his work. If you have one of these guns, then this book
will reveal a considerable amount about its history.
*Military Archive Research*
The PP, PPK and P38, some of the most famous pistols of the 20th
Century, are covered in this new title, number 82 in the Osprey
Weapons series. An 80-page soft-cover book in the usual Osprey
style. The book opens with an Introduction that gives some
historical background to the area of the Thuringen Forest of
east-central Germany and a tradition of gunmakers to which Walthers
became a part. With some early designs that led to the design of
the PP, the Polizei-Pistole, a semi-automatic designed for police
and personal use. Then the PPK, a slightly smaller version known
generally of the Polizei-Pistole Kriminal, intended to more easily
concealed. Added to these was the work on a military pistol, to
replace the P08 Luger, something easier to manufacturer and simpler
to maintain in the field, this resulted in the P38. There is great
detail on the weapons themselves, the markings you will find on
them, the numbers made, the serial numbers used, and in terms of
the German military, who they were issued to. They proved reliable
weapons, with the small PP & PPK popular with AFV and aircrews
where they suited the more confined spaces and after the war they
remained in production, not only in Germany but in France as well.
Fascinating text accompanied by lots of photos of preserved
examples long with some beautiful artwork which included cutaways
of both the PPK and P38 weapons. These Walther guns remained in
production after the end of the war and used by both the German and
French military post-war. If you have any interest in these famous
guns, either for their wartime military use or with the fame the
PPK gained for being used by James Bond then there is a lot to like
about this book. I for one was able to discover a little more about
my own examples of the PPK and the P38, which for example I now
know was made by Mauser at their Obendorf factory. A fine reference
to keep if you have any interest in these famous Walther products.
Thanks to Osprey for our review copy.
*Military Model Scene*
I found this book fascinating, in the way the author relates the
gradual evolution of the three weapons , their variants and special
orders and serial numbers, also including some unusual derivatives
that I had never heard of
*Army Rumour Service*
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