Corrosion or tooling error?

[BigShell]

Picked it up cheap due to “old pitting” on the front strap, but I’m not totally convinced.

Anyone seen something like this?

 

[Peter S]

I don't think it's pitting. When the frame was machined it just didn't clean up all the way.

 

[PatickD]

Imo that looks like a forging defect.

Interesting that it is on a ‘43 production. I’ve seen somewhat similar on much later ones.

 

[fishermankw]

I would agree, it doesn’t look like pitting to me, but does seem unusual that a first half of the year 43 would’ve made it out of the factory like that.

 

[GEM]

Looks like a flaw in the original forging for the frame. Given the time frame it is surprising that it passed quality control. Maybe just considered a cosmetic issue but serviceable.

 

[flynaked]

I’ll second this is a common forging defect on Walther frames, though I agree you usually see it later on.

 

[BigShell]

Yeah, thanks y’all, I agree.

My first hint upon seeing the pistol was the same flaw on the underside of the trigger guard that seem to line up with the strip on the front strap.

 

[BigShell]

I’ll second this is a common forging defect on Walther frames, though I agree you usually see it later on.

Interesting didn’t know Walther had that issue

 

[biggymu]

Many of the late war “0” series were like this

 

[PatickD]

I’ll also add, quality (fit & finish) was starting to slip during 1943:

My ‘43 Walther actually has a ridiculous amount of lathe marks on the trigger guard. It actually looks crooked with all the “chatter” marks.

 

[Philip]

If this flaw had uniformly covered the entire grip strap it could be considered a feature 50 years ahead of its time. Many combat handguners pay good money to have the front straps of their pistols custom stippled in a design not radically different than this to provide a non slip surface.

 

[moosedog]

Casting flaw. You did good.

 

[Stan]

Does the casting flaw continue under the grip edge?

 

[BigShell]

Does the casting flaw continue under the grip edge?

No, stops almost perfectly at the edge of the grip panel.

 

[JimF]

Moosedog says “casting flaw.”

I thought these frames were “machined forging.”

 

[Peter S]

Moosedog says “casting flaw.”

I thought these frames were “machined forging.”

You are absolutely correct, it is a forging, not a casting.