The Walther PP (Polizeipistole, or police pistol) series pistols are blowback-operated semi-automatic pistols, developed by the German arms manufacturer Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen.

The most common variant is the Walther PPK, a smaller version of the PP with a shorter grip, barrel and frame, and reduced magazine capacity. A new, two-piece wrap-around grip panel construction was used to conceal the exposed back strap. The smaller size made it more concealable than the original PP and hence better suited to plainclothes or undercover work. It was released in 1930.

“PPK” is an abbreviation for Polizeipistole Kriminalmodell (police pistol – detective model). While it’s often thought to be “kurz” (German: short) referring to the police pistol with shorter barrel and frame, the manufacturer’s selection of the name “Kriminal” appears in early original advertising brochures from Walther and the 1937 GECO German catalog.

Adolf Hitler committed suicide with his PPK (.32 ACP/7.65mm) in the Führerbunker in Berlin