New acquisition 1955 Walther LP53
Just retired and have a big back yard. Decided to get back into air guns. Have a Beeman R1, and a Webley Hurricane I bought years ago but got into 22 cal. pistols, deer hunting, and they got left behind. Decided to start selling some cartridge pistols and start collecting vintage springers. Just picked up a Walther LP53 made in 1955. It wasn't cheap but when it came it was just like a time capsule, in box with everything but the manual. One vintage RWS pellet tin all in German half used. I really doubt if it had more than that half tin through it. Just as mint as you could hope for. Love the smooth surface of these early models. Did a six shot chrony yesterday. Here it is:
405 fps
405
408
404
405
405 fps
Thats consistency for a 60 year old pistol.
405 fps
405
408
404
405
405 fps
Thats consistency for a 60 year old pistol.
Last edited by 45flint on Tue Feb 09, 2016 8:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: New acquisition 1955 Walther LP53
Good find, and an interesting pistol with many variations available.
Kind regards,
Phil
Kind regards,
Phil
M0KPH
I now have so many airguns I've had to make a list, which is >>HERE<<
>>North Manchester Target Club<<
I now have so many airguns I've had to make a list, which is >>HERE<<
>>North Manchester Target Club<<
Re: New acquisition 1955 Walther LP53
Mine is the Variant 2 from lenardj's post; that post is an awesome read.
Re: New acquisition 1955 Walther LP53
Lovely acquisition. I like those early ones with the smooth finish. I always wondered why Walther introduced the black crackle finish - was it because the anodised smooth black didn't wear too well, or was it to cover up minor imperfections in the castings and so reduce the number of rejects?
Re: New acquisition 1955 Walther LP53
I do think it was to cover up minor imperfections in the castings. If I look at mine on the top of the receiver there are a couple of just pin pick holes that you wou not even notice, on some casting these could have been worse. The next variant after the smooth finish was just the krinkle paint to this top surface. They then shortly did the whole receiver in krinkle.Oldtimer wrote:Lovely acquisition. I like those early ones with the smooth finish. I always wondered why Walther introduced the black crackle finish - was it because the anodised smooth black didn't wear too well, or was it to cover up minor imperfections in the castings and so reduce the number of rejects?
Re: New acquisition 1955 Walther LP53
Someone on the Walther forum directed me to a page where I could print off the original instructions. Interesting that the original instructions recommend RWS Diabolo pellets. Included in my box were a German tin of those that seem period. All complete!
Re: New acquisition 1955 Walther LP53
Made a Utube reviewing the LP53
http://youtu.be/pElKQVdPQA4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://youtu.be/pElKQVdPQA4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: New acquisition 1955 Walther LP53
Many people have told me that this old springer is a difficult shooter. I just find it so accurate. Here is a three shot group I shot in my living room last night. Yes only about 12+ feet away but still? It's cold outside!