Lot 122

90th Infantry Division Presentation Engraved Walther PP Pistol

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90th Infantry Division Presentation Engraved Walther PP Pistol

Estimate: $40,000 - $65,000

Starting Bid: $35,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Historic World War II Walther PP Semi-Automatic Pistol Factory Presentation Engraved for Lieutenant Colonel Thomas M. Andrews of the 90th Infantry Division "Tough 'Ombres" with Holster This stunning pistol, bearing serial number 381790P, is only one number away from General George S. Patton’s nearly identical personal presentation Walther PP, serial number 381791P, currently on display at The General George Patton Museum in Fort Knox and bearing his name with the “TO” monograms. The third known late blank slide presentation example was made Colonel John C. Whitcomb bearing serial number 378447P. These pistols were from a small series of Walther pistols bearing the "TO" monogram logo of the 90th Infantry Division, the Tough 'Ombres. One of the heavy hitters of Patton's 3rd Army, the 90th was one of the units to enter Zella-Mehlis as the Western Allies moved into Germany, home of the Walther factory. While eventually destined to be handed over to the Soviets per political agreements on where the borders of the occupied territories would land, for a time the Walther plant was a grand feather in the American cap to be gone over with a fine toothed comb, both officially (the Americans and Brits coordinated tightly on projects like the "T-Force" program to learn anything they could from German industry and prevent anything especially choice from landing in Soviet hands) and unofficially (no GI was looking to go through all the hassle of a world war and go home empty handed). Narratives of the occupiers of Zella-Mehlis vary; some were turned away flat out, others were allowed to pick out a souvenir under supervision, and some were able to go deep into the factory. Men of the 90th were in the latter category, and according to legend they were able to locate both the room where Walther's craftsmen did their engraving and the craftsmen themselves and were able to get a number of half-finished presentation grade pistols fitted out to their specifications. While these pistols are most famously associated with high brass (the most famous pair having been given as a gift to George Patton himself), a number of officers and men of the 90th were able to secure "TO" PPs for themselves, typically higher ranking staff/command personnel and those attached directly to them. This example made for Lieutenant Colonel Thomas M. Andrews is in a league of its own in terms of rarity and desirability. It bears post-1940 "eagle/N" proofs. Along with the proof marks on the slide, chamber hood, and muzzle, the external markings are of the style of a late war military contract PP with external serial number and "ac" on the left side of the slide. Much of the surfaces are covered in deep cut oak leaf motifs with checkerboard accents, zig-zag and dot borders, and geometric accents on the trigger guard. Often left blank on "ac" PPs, the left side of the slide has received a hand cut "Walther" banner. The upper left side of the slide bears the raised name "THOMAS M. ANDREWS." flanked by the 90th Infantry Division's "TO" monograms. The grips are black checkered plastic with Walther banners, and the magazine has a phosphate finished body and a bright floorplate finished and engraved to match the rest of the pistol. Also included is a black leather Albrecht Kind flap holster. Thomas M. Andrews (1913-1996) was born in Chicago and was a 1934 graduate of the University of Chicago and a family man prior to being called to service in 1942. He trained as a field artillery officer and joined the 90th as a motor officer with the Service Battery of the 345th Field Artillery Battalion. In April 1944, he was noted as a major and assistant chief of staff, by October, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. By 1945, he had worked his way up to lieutenant colonel and chief of staff for the 90th under Major General Herbert Earnest. In July of 1945, he was released back to the States on points. He retired from the Army Reserves as a colonel. After a few years working on Catalina Island for the Wrigley Family, he settled down back in Illinois as a hardware store owner and civic leader in Algonquin. Andrews passed on in Rock Island, Illinois, on December 6th, 1996, one day before the 55th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the event that roused the Greatest Generation to answer their nation’s call.

Manufacturer: Walther

Model: PP

BBL: 3 3/4 inch round

Gauge: 7.65 mm auto

Finish: chrome

Grips: plastic

Serial Number381790p

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Condition: Very fine with 95% of the period applied chrome plated finish showing a dark tone to the safety cutout and the area around the magazine catch, mild handling marks, and some edge wear. Some detail has been lost in the proofmarks. The grips are fine with a split down the front of the left panel and some minor dings and scuffs. Mechanically excellent. The holster is very fine with light age and storage wear. These special Walther PP pistols were produced in very limited numbers under unusual conditions after Allied victory in World War II. The "Tough 'Ombre" PPs are some of the most interesting war trophies to come home in the belts and duffel bags of America's GIs, exceptional souvenirs from one of the hardest fighting units under Patton.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000