*Hungary, 1958, Walam 48 Pistol, Made by FEG, Deactivated*
Serial Number: E0
4726
Calibre: 9mm
Barrel Length: 4"
Marked on LHS of Barrel: "Walam 48, Cal 9mm, Brow Short, Made in Hungary Feb 1958"
Marked on right of trigger: E 04726, 1 in a heart - the Heart of Hungary marking.
Walam 48 pistol, late 1958 production without Egyptian crest, Hungarian-made clone of the WWII-era Walther PP.
After WWII, Hungary found itself with a large number of captured Walther PPs and PPKs, due to military operations like “Konrad III,” the liberation of Budapest, and “Frühlingserwachen.” These German pistols were widely used and appreciated by Hungarian police forces. In response, Hungary’s Interior Ministry commissioned FEG (Fegyver- és Gázkészülékgyár) in Budapest to produce a domestic copy. The result was the M.48, a faithful clone of the Walther PP, chambered in 7.65mm Browning (.32 ACP), with many interchangeable parts despite minor aesthetic changes. It became known locally as the “Rendőrségi 48” (Police 48).
In 1958, the Egyptian Army placed an order for 30,000 Tokagypt pistols, a Hungarian variant of the Soviet TT-33. At the same time, Egypt’s national police ordered 10,000 pistols based on the M.48. This new model, named the Walam 48 (a blend of Walther and Lámpagyár, the communist-era alias for FEG), was chambered in 9x17mm (.380 ACP). While retaining the basic Walther PP design, the Walam 48 had notable differences: a chamber indicator repositioned atop the slide, an altered thumb safety, a solid hammer, and a slightly longer frame. It featured steel construction, Bakelite grips, and an 8-round magazine with a Bakelite base spur.
Each frame bore a serial number with an “E” prefix (for Egypt) and the Hungarian “Heart of Hungary” acceptance mark—originally meant to resemble a scope reticule with a “T” for tesztelt (tested), though often poorly stamped and upside-down, forming a heart-like shape.
Ultimately, the Egyptian contract collapsed—possibly due to dissatisfaction with the Tokagypt, financial issues, or logistical problems. Only 13,250 Tokagypts were delivered, all diverted to the police, who then no longer needed the Walam 48s. By then, 6,300–6,900 Walams had been partially or fully produced, though few had shipped. FEG continued production into 1960, making an additional 3,000–6,050 Walam 48s without the Egyptian crest but otherwise identical.
*Condition*
Very good condition. Cocks and dry fires. Magazine ejects. Clear markings. Please see photographs as part of the condition report. JAQGF_2482170425
