Walther KKW 22 Trainer Questions

[militarytorch]

I got this rifle few days ago and I was wondering if originally these had cleaning rods.
I tried to put 12.5 one and it was way too short.

If I wanted to remove the dried grease off this rifle what would be a way to do it?
I was thinking maybe a hair drier?

Is there an online information on how these were used, and why for that matter.

The serial number on it is 22xx S (I don't remember the exact serial number) but maybe someone knows when I was made?

This is my first ever trainer rifle and I would like to hear comments on it.


Thank you.

[Turbo Archie]

Thats a nice one. Love the wood..


..

[Aeisir]

Very nice. The stock cartouche "NSDAP" has been found on other Walther KKWs in the 22xx range. The KKW has a cleaning rod, but it is different than the k98 rod. It's about 12.5" in length and about 4.5mm in diameter. Reproductions are available, if the original is missing. When you receive this one, also check for the partial serial on the bolt handle root. Range of serials is up to about 5500, so yours is about half way through the Walther series, maybe 1941-42? Doing a "kkw" search at this site will lead you to more information on the KKW.
-a.

[mauser99]

Nice rifle.. Yes, it should have a cleaning rod. Originals are impossible to find. There is a guy who makes a spot on repro if you must have one.. The stock on that rifle is black walnut. The stocks on these rifles can range in color quite a bit. It was made in 1939 more than likely. Walther made kkw's into the post 40 range as e/n marked walthers do excist.

I use lacqure thinner on a rag to remove dried on oil or grease. Keep it away from the wood..Then just reoil the metal with what ever you use.. Kroil ect..

Looks like A, beat me by 4 minutes...Anyway all the info is correct..

This rifle is definetly pre 1940 as it has bug proofs still..

[RyanE]

That is one great looking KKW, the wood especially.

[militarytorch]

Very nice. The stock cartouche "NSDAP" has been found on other Walther KKWs in the 22xx range. The KKW has a cleaning rod, but it is different than the k98 rod. It's about 12.5" in length and about 4.5mm in diameter. Reproductions are available, if the original is missing. When you receive this one, also check for the partial serial on the bolt handle root. Range of serials is up to about 5500, so yours is about half way through the Walther series, maybe 1941-42? Doing a "kkw" search at this site will lead you to more information on the KKW.
-a.

I do have the rifle, I got it at an antique show of all the places
The bolt is numbered the same, I want to say like 2259 or something like that.

Interestingly enough I put in a wire hanger into the cleaning rod hole and it then measured it and it came out to about 14 inches or so. I am pretty certain that this rifle was never taken apart.

How many of these were ever built? is there a known figure?

Thank you very much.

[Bob in OHIO]

Great rifle.... about 5K were made....

[militarytorch]

Great rifle.... about 5K were made....

Thank you Bob.
Does it make this maker scarce in comparison to other manufacturer's?

[mauser99]

most will agree walther is probably the most scarce kkw. Mauser being second then bsw and last off gustloff werke.. In my collecting I was able to find all but a BSW so I might say a minty bsw is harder to find..But, most will disagree.. Consider you're self lucky to own it..

[Aeisir]

Good catch M99. I was staring at the bug proof and thinking that 22xx was made after the E/N changeover... go figure...

Over the last ~10 years, I've kept track of numbers posted (s/n and quantity) of all four kkw types. The quantities (not statistically significant, but helpful) are BSW 19; Mauser 20, Walther 24, and Gustloff 120+. The highest Mauser is 4934 (no D.F.) and highest Walther is 5416. Unless someone knows differently, both presumably started at 0001. Some have speculated that Mauser double-backed on numbers by adding 'd.f.' But my numbers don't show an overlap, yet.

As for the cleaning rod, it should screw into the "stockhalter", a small nut placed from inside the barrel channel. The wire hanger probably passed through it giving a false idea of the rod length.