Guys,
The Antler is indeed the marking of the Ulm proof house. Both Walther and Mauser (Parabellum / HSC) used the services of the Ulm proof house, as it's close to both companies.
Because proofing at a proof house comes with a price tag, and there is no need for official proofs on a USA market gun, the companies decided to have only those guns proofed that were destined for non-USA delivery.
Mauser introduced an in-house proof ('FBM') as an alternative for USA guns. I don't know what Walther did.
One of the former Mauser engineers went to work for Carl Walther afterwards, I'll try to ask him what he knows about the USA export guns.
Interesting side note: Interarms was responsible for setting up the USA production of Walther pistols. One of the daughters of Sam Cummings, the late Interarms chairman, used a USA Walther to shoot her husband. That wasn't good brand marketing.
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