The 7.65 cal. Walther PP (Polizeipistole), introduced in 1929, was one of the first successful double-action, semi-automatic pistols, being widely copied and used in law-enforcement. During the Second World War, the PP was issued to the Gestapo, the Luftwaffe, and Nazi party officials. This example, dating to 1936 or 1937, takes the 7.65x17mm Browning cartridge in a 7-shot single column magazine (note the seven holes on the spare magazine which had it's own compartment in the holster). The letters ‘R. J.’ on the inside of the grip indicate ownership by a member of the Reichsministerium der Justiz (National Ministry of Justice).

The PP was joined in 1931 by the PPK (Kriminalmodell), which was smaller and more easily concealed for undercover work. Adolf Hitler used a PPK to commit suicide in his Berlin bunker in 1945. It was also the choice of the fictional British secret agent, James Bond.