In 1945 there were two primary Volkspistolen under development- one through Mauser which only resulted in a few prototypes and the lesser-known but more produced Walther model. These were part of a Primitive Weapons program that Goebbels supported for arming the Volkssturm (Home Guard) w/o draining the German Army and Waffen SS of major weapon systems. The Mauser pistol never left the factory but Walther was more successful. The Walther company first designed a model using pressed parts technology (as opposed to castings) that appeared to be very similar to the Colt 1911A. Both the first and second attempts were dismissed by the military weapons bureau. But the third version found favor with party leadership and the weapons bureau could no longer intervene. Production began on February 12, 1945 and by March 30 the first weapons were to be delivered. But because of the rapidly deteriorating situation, (Zella-Mellis, the company headquarters, was occupied by units of the 90th US Division on April 7th), only a few of these arms would leave the factory. With this pistol, came very primitive construction; the situation forced the use of various available parts and examples are unique in their construction.

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