PPK - What % ?

Mendozaco · Mar 18, 2017

This item was added to my collection last year. I purchased it from an auctioneer in Savage Maryland. I ran across several firearms in the auction and the reason I was there was for the silver coins. My first impression was that it was sanded and refinished. I wasn’t eager to bid on it, but when the final bid stopped at $500 and it was about to close. I jumped in at $550.00.

I had it inspected at the VA firearms convention and to my surprise, the PPK expert stated that the bluing was original. Not sanded or refinished. The grip with two minor cracks and is valued for what I paid for the item. With all the excitement, I forgot to ask the expert the percentage of the PPK. I need your help in estimating the percentage. Thanks in advance for your comments.

iH8DemLibz · Mar 18, 2017

I'll go with 97 to 98%

I'm sure someone will say 3%...

Alphabrew · Mar 18, 2017

somd_mustangs · Mar 18, 2017

Beautiful pics!
Easily 98% as it sits.

I'm a little skeptical it's original finish though, being the cynical guy I am **.
No wear at all on the muzzle, barrel finish or slide high edges, no scratches?
Also the E/N proof on slide should be thru the bluing, should feel a little rough, it looks a bit polished.
Another flag is that the slide serrations should be sharp, the right side looks slightly flattened (polished).

Regardless, $550 is still a very good price for it, restored or not.
(of course if it's original, that's a VERY good price and probably the nicest around

)

Try posting it up on the P.38/PP forum, add a good clear pic of the left slide markings too.

** I've bought a high-end P.38 or two that were vetted by "experts" that turned out to be very good resto's... multiple opinions are a good thing.
Very high condition war-era German guns are rare so they need to be carefully examined.

DC-W · Mar 18, 2017

Don't know anything about the histories of these guns, but that thing is gorgeous! What a great find.

Jimbob2.0 · Mar 18, 2017

somd_mustangs said:
Beautiful pics!
Easily 98% as it sits.

I'm a little skeptical it's original finish though, being the cynical guy I am **.
No wear at all on the muzzle, barrel finish or slide high edges, no scratches?
Also the E/N proof on slide should be thru the bluing, should feel a little rough, it looks a bit polished.
Another flag is that the slide serrations should be sharp, the right side looks slightly flattened (polished).

Regardless, $550 is still a very good price for it, restored or not.
(of course if it's original, that's a VERY good price and probably the nicest around )

Try posting it up on the P.38/PP forum, add a good clear pic of the left slide markings too.

** I've bought a high-end P.38 or two that were vetted by "experts" that turned out to be very good resto's... multiple opinions are a good thing.
Very high condition war-era German guns are rare so they need to be carefully examined.

I'm equally skeptical. Torn it sort of looks right, but not exactly. Plus I have seen very few PPK's in 99% plus condition. That said if it is truly original (which it may be depending on the experience of the expert) you won the lottery (sort of) and I would put it at 98% and between $1500 and $3,500k but I would get a professional, qualified appraisal. I paid close to $1,100 for mine which I would grade about 85% 2 years ago it was a good price then and prices have only gone up.

If its refinished you still did very well and whoever refinished it was pretty good.

mawkie · Mar 19, 2017

Agree that if the finish is original you got it for half price, an amazing steal! And if it's not it's still a solid purchase. If it's the auction house I'm thinking of they occasionally have some goodies sneak in through all the furniture and junk. Saw an early Walther HP sell there a couple of years ago. Ditto for a Luxie FN49 that was the nicest I'd ever seen.

Mendozaco · Mar 19, 2017

mawkie said:
Ditto for a Luxie FN49 that was the nicest I'd ever seen.

Yes it is. I was the lucky fellow that purchased it. I will post pictures later next week.

Combloc · Mar 19, 2017

IMO, the pistol has been refinished. Still, the price was right and it will make a good shooter. Just put other grips on it for shooting.

Jimbob2.0 · Mar 19, 2017

Combloc said:
IMO, the pistol has been refinished. Still, the price was right and it will make a good shooter. Just put other grips on it for shooting.

Solid advice, PPK grips crack easily and real ones are hard to replace.

Combloc · Mar 19, 2017

My brother bought a prewar PPK with pristine grips and I gave him the same advice which he ignored. At the first range trip, they cracked all apart. Then he figured he'd just buy original replacements and found out just how stupid he had been. Moron.

Jimbob2.0 · Mar 19, 2017

Combloc said:
My brother bought a prewar PPK with pristine grips and I gave him the same advice which he ignored. At the first range trip, they cracked all apart. Then he figured he'd just buy original replacements and found out just how stupid he had been. Moron.

Last decent set I saw was $250 for grips with a small chip......

Combloc · Mar 19, 2017

Yep. I tried to explain that to him before he shot it the first time but you know how older brothers can be.....

toolness1 · Mar 21, 2017

I have probably told this story before, but my Grandpa traded a hungry kid a candy bar in Germany during WWII for one of these that looks very close to yours. I don't think it's quite as nice as far as finish goes though.

It even has the cracks in the same spots on the grips.

Great price, awesome pistol!

Doctor_M · Mar 21, 2017

Others have expressed the same thoughts I had... looks refinished to me, but easily at 98%. Almost too good to be true... but even if refinished, I'd buy them all day long at that price. You did good.

22Shooter · Apr 2, 2017

PM sent

chetjp · Apr 18, 2017

It looks superb and the price is right. Enjoy.

PPK - What % ?

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Active Member

Attachments

When All Else Fails.

Binary male Lesbian

-----

Attachments

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

C&R Whisperer

Active Member

Stop Negassing me!!!!!

Ultimate Member

Stop Negassing me!!!!!

Ultimate Member

Stop Negassing me!!!!!

Ultimate Member

Certified Mad Scientist

Active Member

Member

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics