Walther Kampfpistole
Carl Walther GmbH · Pistol · Discontinued · 1942
Also known as: Leuchtpistole Z, Z-Pistole, Kampfpistole Z, Combat Pistol
Overview
The Walther Kampfpistole is a single-shot, break-action combat pistol developed by Carl Walther in 1942 as a rifled-barrel adaptation of the smoothbore Leuchtpistole 34 signal pistol. Retaining the same lightweight duralumin frame, blued steel barrel, and bakelite grips as the flare pistol, the Kampfpistole was distinguished by a barrel rifled with eight lands and grooves and stamped with a 'Z' (for gezogen, 'rifled') so troops could tell it apart from smoothbore signal pistols. Chambered for spin-stabilized 26.5mm munitions, it fired the Wurfkörper 361 LP high-explosive grenade, smoke and signal projectiles, and could accept a shoulder stock, folding leaf sight, and a HEAT anti-tank projectile (Panzerwurfkörper 42 LP), turning a signal pistol into a compact close-range grenade launcher for the infantry.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 745 g (26.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 245 mm (9.65") |
| Barrel Length | 155 mm (6.10") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 40 m/s (131 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 260 J (192 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 85 m (93 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 275 m (301 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 8 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Bakelite |
| Finish | Black Anodized Aluminum Frame, Blued Steel Barrel |
Calibers
- 26.5mm Rifled · primary — also known as 26.5mm grenade, Wurfkörper 361 LP, 26.5x83mm rifled
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Features: Break Action, Single Shot, Breech Loading, Rifled Barrel, Z Marked Barrel, Grenade Capable, Lightweight Duralumin Frame
Variants
- Walther Sturmpistole - Assault Variant
Service history
Operators
- German Army (Heer) · adopted 1942 · as Kampfpistole
- Waffen-SS
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1942-1945
Produced by Walther and licensed contractors alongside the Leuchtpistole; later superseded in the grenade-launcher role by the folding-stock Sturmpistole
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Carl Walther
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
Identified by a 'Z' engraved on the barrel marking the rifled bore. Its cartridges were spin-stabilized rather than fin-stabilized. The Kampfpistole evolved into the Sturmpistole, which added a folding wire buttstock, clip-on sights, and a longer barrel for aimed anti-tank fire.
Background
The 'Z' stamped on the Kampfpistole's barrel stood for gezogen, German for 'rifled' or 'drawn' - a warning that the bore was cut for spin-stabilized grenades and must never be loaded with a standard smoothbore signal cartridge, which could burst in the rifled barrel.