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I spotted an LP53 on the eGun auction site that had a finish anomaly where the lettering is stamped on the side of the receiver.
The receiver does not appear to my eye to have been re-finished, so it would seem that the gun came from the factory that way.
This is the first time I have seen an LP53 finished like this.



Typically, the area of the stamped lettering is finished as shown below:



Has anyone else ever seen another LP53 with this finish anomaly before?

Could you see the serial number to date it?

45flint wrote:Could you see the serial number to date it?

Yes - it is in the 016xxx range, so 1956.

My 1955 smooth finish is #116XX. Don't know the serial number of the last smooth finish? but it would make sense that this was the transition to the full crinkle paint. They quickly saw the lettering didn't show up that well and went to the smooth window? Or it could be a one off where they just forgot the window?

45flint wrote:My 1955 smooth finish is #116XX. Don't know the serial number of the last smooth finish? but it would make sense that this was the transition to the full crinkle paint. They quickly saw the lettering didn't show up that well and went to the smooth window? Or it could be a one off where they just forgot the window?

I strongly suspect that it is a one-off that missed being masked prior to the painting process.

I recently bought a boxed smooth finish LP53. The serial number is 011829. Does anyone know the year/serial number when the crinkle was first used?

this was posted to a site in 2002, looks like 23,200.

LP 53, Early versions with curved back of receiver, later
versions are straight. Brown or black plastic grips with Walther logo. Early
versions of the fitted case are blue and gray inside; later versions are
maroon. Finish is smooth blued steel until circa SN 23,200; then the more much
more common black crinkle enamel finish. Sights with two sets of extra inserts.
Sold from 1953 to 1984. (This pistol was made famous by appearing in a James
Bond poster). Exc = $400. Add 30% for fitted case, blue and gray inside. Add
25% for fitted case, maroon inside. Add 10% for original brown factory
cardboard box. Add 30% for original smooth blued finish. Add 25% for straight
back receiver. Add 15% for barrel weight. Subtract 5% for missing sight
inserts. Dr. Robert Beeman

gab wrote:I recently bought a boxed smooth finish LP53. The serial number is 011829. Does anyone know the year/serial number when the crinkle was first used?

Pictures would be nice?

Recently I had problems with transferring photos from my Apple to Photobucket resulting in tardiness in posting pics.It is in working condition and very accurate. Since buying this LP53, I have purchased a Walther LP3 with the wooden target grips. Unfortunately, it needs new seals.

It's a desease, bought my LP53 and fell in love with vintage spring pistols. I just purchased a Feinwerkbau 65 which I have not received yet. Nice thing about your lp53 very little can go wrong. Mine shot like it was new. The LP2 and 3 got a little more stuff to cause issues.

45flint wrote:this was posted to a site in 2002, looks like 23,200.

LP 53, Early versions with curved back of receiver, later
versions are straight. Brown or black plastic grips with Walther logo. Early
versions of the fitted case are blue and gray inside; later versions are
maroon. Finish is smooth blued steel until circa SN 23,200; then the more much
more common black crinkle enamel finish. Sights with two sets of extra inserts.
Sold from 1953 to 1984. (This pistol was made famous by appearing in a James
Bond poster). Exc = $400. Add 30% for fitted case, blue and gray inside. Add
25% for fitted case, maroon inside. Add 10% for original brown factory
cardboard box. Add 30% for original smooth blued finish. Add 25% for straight
back receiver. Add 15% for barrel weight. Subtract 5% for missing sight
inserts. Dr. Robert Beeman

The change to crinkle finish must have happened a bit later than serial number 23,200 as a pistol I recently acquired is smooth black finish & the serial number is 23,790 (c.1957).

Regards
Russell