Walther

Walther (Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen) is one of Germany's most legendary firearms manufacturers, synonymous with precision engineering and iconic pistols

Founded in 1886 by Carl Walther in Zella-Mehlis, Thuringia (then part of the German Empire), the company began as a small workshop producing hunting rifles and target pistols. Carl's sons—Fritz and Georg—joined early, driving innovation

Key milestone: In 1908, Fritz Walther designed the Model 1, a pocket .25 ACP semi-auto—the first Walther pistol and a commercial success

The breakthrough came in 1929 with the revolutionary Walther PP (Polizeipistole), the world's first successful double-action semi-automatic pistol. It introduced the loaded-chamber indicator, decocking safety, and ergonomic DA/SA trigger—setting standards for police and civilian carry worldwide

In 1931, the compact Walther PPK (Polizeipistole Kriminal) followed, becoming an instant classic—famously carried by James Bond from the 1960s films onward

During WWII, Walther produced the P38 (adopted 1938 as the German Army's sidearm, replacing the Luger P08), plus millions of rifles and machine guns. Post-war, the Zella-Mehlis factory was in East Germany; the family fled west

In 1953, the company re-established in Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, under Fritz's sons. The PPK/S (1968) and modern P99 (1997, striker-fired with AS trigger) evolved the line

Today, Walther remains family-owned, producing the PPQ, P99 AS, PDP, Creed, and competition pistols—trusted by law enforcement, military, and civilians globally for reliability, accuracy, and innovation

From 1886 rifle shop to James Bond's PPK, Walther defines German pistol excellence