In the aftermath of the Second World War Germany found itself divided. As it raised its own army to fight alongside NATO, the new West Germany looked to update the old wartime sidearm of the Wehrmacht.

The slightly larger forerunner to the famous Walther PPK, the Polizei Pistole was used by German police and military officers during the Second World War. Remaining in production until the capture of the Walther factory in May of 1945, several were captured by US troops at that time.