350R. Rare & Historic! WWII 90th Infantry Division Presentation Engraved “Tough ‘Ombre” Walther PP Pistol Inscribed to (Col.) Thomas H. Nixon – We Are Offering for Auction This Walther Model PP 7.65mm Cal. Semi-Auto Pistol. This Pistol is Chrome Plated & Beautifully Engraved all Over with the “Tough ‘Ombre” Logos (“T” Overlaid on an “O”) on Both Sides of the Name “Thomas H. Nixon” as well as the “Walther” Banner on the Left Side of the Slide. The Right Side of the Gun Bears the Serial Number 381990p on Both the Slide & Frame as well as “AC” on the Slide. The Gun is Equipped with Factory Walther Checkered Black Plastic Grips & Has One Detachable Magazine. Walther “Tough ‘Ombre’s” PPs are Some of the Most Sought After German Pistols by Collectors Since WWII. The Factors Surrounding the Very Few Examples of Walther Pistols Engraved with the “TO” Logo of the 90th Inf. Div. of Patton’s 3rd Army is Almost Legendary! The 90th was One of the Units to Enter Zella-Mehlis, the Location of the Walther Factory as the Allies Moved into Germany. It Has Been Said that Men of the 90th Were Able to Enter the Factory & Were Able to Find the both the Engraving Room & Craftsman & Were Able to Get a Small Amount of Partially Finished Presentation Grade Pistols Furnished to Their Specs. It is Said That a Pair of These Pistols Were Given to General George Patton Which One Has Been Identified by Serial Number. It is Rumored That Up to 10 of These “Tough ‘Ombre” Pistols Exist, There Are 4 Known Examples with this Now Being the Fifth! The Known Examples Include:
(Gen.) George Patton Jr, Serial Number 381791p
(Lt. Col.) Thomas M. Andrews, Serial Number 381790p
(Col.) John C. Whitcomb, Serial Number 378447p
(Sgt.) Fred T. Penry, Serial Number 29055p.
Col. Thomas H. Nixon Was Born in Gettysburg, PA on Feb. 22, 1895 & Became a Member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, Class of Gettysburg 1915. According to “A Legacy of Service: Honoring Phi Delta Theta Veterans”, “One of the most decorated Phi veterans of the European Theater was Col. Thomas H. Nixon, Gettysburg ’15, chief ordnance officer for General George Patton’s Third Army. With seven battle stars and over thirty-six months overseas, Nixon earned the Distinguished Service Medal for solving unprecedented logistical challenges during rapid armored advances across Europe. Patton presented the medal personally—his last official act before his fatal accident”. He Was Awarded This Medal on Dec. 8, 1945. Col. Nixon Died in York, PA on May 21, 1985.
Accompanying the Pistol is a “TO” Patch & West Point Hotel Thayer Shoe Cleaner Pouch That This Pistol was Stored in. Do Not Pass Up the Chance to Own a Rare & Unique Piece of WWII European Theater History!
