Manurhin PP (walther PP) french Pistol in Guns World

Thanks to Kyrie Ellis / Moderator - Cruffler_Forum on Yahoo Groups for his contribution for this page ...

Immediately following World War Two Carl Walther escaped from what would soon become East Germany (the Walther factory at Zell-Mehlis was located in the Soviet Zone of occupied Germany) to what would soon be West Germany with little more than the clothes on his back - and the patents for his firearms. With post-war West Germany forbidden the manufacture of firearms, Walther was essentially out of business and earned his living by working as a mechanic.
In 1952 Walther entered into an agreement with Manurhin that permitted Manurhin to produce his model PP and PPK pistols in France, under a royalty agreement. These royalty payments, and the changing political scene, allowed Walther to rebuild his own manufacturing plant in Ulm, Germany, and begin production of his Model P.38 pistol there.
Walther's close relationship with Manurhin continued to 1986, and all post-war Walther model PP and PPK pistols produced prior to 1986 were actually produced at the Manurhin plant, regardless of whether the pistols are marked "Manurhin" or "Walther" and proofed at St. Etienne or Ulm.

	Manurhin_PP_L.jpg Left side of a Walther Model PP chambered for the 7.65 Browning (.32 ACP), produced under license from Walther. Note the Manurhin slide legend, and the notification of Manurhin's exclusive license from Walther to manufacture the Model PP. Note also the Manurhin logo on the grip panel, and the repeated license statement on the left grip panel
	Manurhin_PP_L_CU1.jpg Close up of the left side slide markings.
	Manurhin_Grip_Logo.jpg Close up of the Manurhin logo on the left grip panel
	Manurhin_Grip_Lisc.jpg Close up of the license statement on the left grip panel
	Manurhin_PP_R.jpg Right side of the same Manurhin PP. Note the St. Etienne proof mark on the chamber (visible through the ejection port) and the frame (behind the trigger guard, by the serial number). Also note the "Repr. J.V. Astrom Bjurtjarn" and the "GPC. Hurly NJ". I am told this pistol is one from a number of such pistols purchased for use by the Swedish police, indicated by the "Repr. J.V. Astrom Bjurtjarn". The "GPC. Hurly NY" is the US importer of this pistol; Gun Parts Corporation, located in West Hurly, New York.
	Manurhin_PP_R_CU1.jpg Close up of the Swedish and US import markings.
	Manurhin_PP_R_CU2.jpg Close up of the St. Etienne proof and serial number.