German K43 G43 8mm Mauser 21.75” Walther ac Code Semi-Auto Rifle, 1945 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,025.00
LSB#: WY250318PG001
Make: Walther (ac factory code)
Model: Karabiner 43 / Gewehr 43
Serial Number: 1589c
Year of Manufacture: 1945
Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm)
Action Type: Semi-auto, detachable 10 round magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked, “K 43 ac 45 1589c” with two Waffenant. The bolt and receiver are marked, “1962k”. There are various Waffenamt throughout.
Barrel Length: 21.75”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded blade post set on a ramped base. The rear sight is a buckhorn style u-notch blade on a sliding tangent escalator marked from 1-12. The right side of the receiver has integral rail for an optic.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece stock has a semi-pistol grip, metal nose cap with sling bar, hole for the missing cleaning rod, through bolt, sling well with pass through, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The buttplate has been chromed and there is pitting beneath the new finish. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. The upper handguard has multiple long cracks. There is a split at the heel of the stock. The LOP measures 13.6” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition as refinished.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 8/10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. There is a heavy patina throughout with spots of rust and handling marks. The screw heads show moderate use. The overall finish is quite rough from the factory. The markings are somewhat clear, though some of the smaller ones are worn around the edges. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fair condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This Walther-manufactured K43 (Karabiner 43), also known as the G43 (Gewehr 43), is a historically significant German semi-automatic rifle from the final days of World War II. Produced in 1945 and marked with the “ac” factory code, this example represents the last iteration of N@zi Germany’s attempt to equip its infantry with a reliable semi-automatic rifle, capable of matching the firepower of Allied counterparts like the M1 Garand and SVT-40. Chambered in 8mm Mauser and featuring a short-stroke gas piston with a detachable 10-round magazine, the G43 was a robust and simplified evolution of the earlier G41 series. Its integral scope rail and semi-automatic capability made it ideal for designated marksmen and sharpshooters. This rifle is in Fair condition overall, retaining approximately 40% of its original blued finish. The metal surfaces show heavy patina, areas of rust, and wartime machine marks typical of late-war German production. The bore remains in solid shape for a WWII-era semi-auto, with sharp rifling and light erosion, earning an 8/10 in this writer’s opinion. The stock has been refinished, and while structurally intact, it shows numerous pressure marks, scratches, and a split at the heel. The handguard has multiple cracks, and the buttplate has been chrome-plated at some point postwar, with pitting visible beneath the finish. The rifle is missing its magazine and cleaning rod, but the mechanical action functions correctly.
For collectors of WWII German small arms or those seeking a late war German K43, this 1945 Walther is a highly desirable and increasingly scarce piece of history. Late-war rifles often exhibit rougher machining and assembly, making them all the more interesting as artifacts of Germany’s declining industrial capacity in the final months of the war. With its “ac 45” markings, intact receiver rail, and matching receiver and bolt, this rifle offers strong historical value and the potential for restoration or display. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a student of WWII ordnance, this G43 is a compelling addition to any military arms collection. -R.E.
