Between 1919 and 1920 Fritz Walther filed six patents related to the Model 8, covering the safety, the triggerguard which served as a takedown latch, the manner of attaching the grips using medallions, and the separate breech block of the first variant.
These patents are as follows:
DE319461 - grip medallions
DE325374 - single axis-pin for the safety and hammer
DE326373 - improvement for the grip medallions
DE334042 - trigger guard for disassembly of the gun
DE334448 - separated breech block of the first variant
DE335901 - improved spring-supported trigger guard of the thrd variant
The Walther Model 8 was produced from late 1920 to approximately 1940. Production estimates vary. Rankin states that 500,000 were made; Kersten states that 200,000 were made. Dieter Marschall, in his book on Walther Pistols, states that approximately 370,000 were made, but working in collaboration with Earl Mount, a U.S. Walther collector, Marschall has revised the figure down considerably to approximately 145,000.
The gun was sleek and modern looking and became an instant commercial success. Its external look is reminiscent of the Model 1910 FN Browning. The Model 8 was often carried by staff officers during World War II, and as a backup gun by aviators, tank crewmen, and SS, many of whom required weapons that could be used in confined spaces. Presentation Model 8’s were sometimes given to very high-ranking Nazi officials. A Model 8 engraved with Dr. Goebbels’ name appeared for sale on the GunsAmerica site in 2007 with a price tag of $260,000!
While incorporating most of the internal features of earlier Walthers, the design for the Model 8 was carefully re-thought, with an eye toward fewer parts and an easier take-down. The slide extends to the end of the barrel, with no bushing, and the trigger guard doubles as a take-down lever. The Model 8 served as a prototpye for the later PP (Polizei Pistole) and its descendants , which have been widely copied, and is the last single-action-only Walther other than target pistols and the post- war Walther TP.
There are three variants of the Model 8.
First Variant Model 8
The first Model 8 variant was likely made from 1920 to about 1926. Serial numbers run from about 390,000 to 480,000, with an estimated total production of about 84,000 guns. The first variant had a breech assembly which could be removed from the slide, consisting of the breech block, firing pin, firing pin spring, and the extractor. No external extractor is visible on the first variant. A projection on the extractor retains the firing pin in the breech block. There are 16 fine triangular-cut angled slide serrations on each side of the slide. A small latch on the bow of the trigger guard on the right side releases the trigger guard to allow disassembly.
The Model 8 is marked on the left side of the slide in sans-serif upper and lower case italic letters:
Walther’s Patent Mod. 8.
with the Walther banner beneath. The right side of the slide is marked:
Waffenfabrik Walther Zella-Mehlis (Thür.)
The above inscriptions were used on all variants. Grips are of checkered hard rubber with enamel medallions. On the left side medallion is the “CW” monogram, and on the right side medallion is “6.35”. The serial number is on the right side grip tang.
Magazines for the first variant are generally marked with a large W on the bottom. Some have an L-shaped flat follower that is open at the front, and some have a U-shaped swaged follower that is closed at the front. All have seven staggered holes drilled in each side for viewing cartridges.
Second Variant Model 8
The second variant was likely made from 1927 through 1933 or 1934. Serial numbers run from about 700,000 to 715,200, with another couple of thousand or so in the mid-720,000 range, for an estimated total production of only about 24,000. I would like to emphasize that these figures are based on a limited sample and are subject to revision at a later date. Previous estimates for production of this variant were much higher. Please share your serial number information with the author and help make this data more accurate.* The breech block is an integral part of the slide and an external extractor is retained by a spring and plunger in a drilled recess behind it.. The firing pin is retained by a plate and screw in the roof of the slide at the rear. The second variant continues to have the latch button on the right side of the trigger guard to allow take-down. In this period the grips began to have the Walther banner at the bottom.
Magazines for the second variant are generally marked with the Walther banner on the bottom, with a U-shaped flat follower that is closed at the front, and have seven staggered holes drilled in each side for viewing cartridges.
Third Variant Model 8
The third variant was likely made from 1933 or 1934 to 1940. Serial numbers run from 715,200 to 745,000, minus the few thousand second variants in the mid-720,000 range, for an estimated total production of about 37,000. Sometime, probably around 1938, the Model 8 serial numbers began to have a letter A suffix. The third variant eliminated the latch button and added a spring near the pivot point of the trigger guard to tension it upward. The trigger was modified slightly to accommodate the new trigger guard and spring, giving it a different profile. Beginning in April of 1940 the proofmark was changed from the traditional ‘crown over N’ to the Nazi ‘eagle over N’. Earl Mount, who has studied these pistols states that he has seen very few Model 8 pistols with the Eagle over N proof, and he believes that production probably ended in 1940. In addition to the standard blued finish, the Model 8 was offered in nickle-plate or gold plate, with various wood or ivory grips, and with various levels of engraving. The finish quality on the Model 8 was very high.
There are minor variations in the design of grip medalions between the early and late variants, but we do not have sufficient information to judge when these changes were made.
Magazines are like the second variant.