German Gewehr 43 G43 or K43 — Nazi & French Marked 8mm Mauser Semi Auto Rifle
Sold for $3,200
Make: duv, Berlin-Lubecker Manufacturing Company
Model: Gewehr 43 or Karabiner 43 (abbreviated G43, K43, Gew 43, Kar 43)
Serial Number: 3633
Year of Manufacture: 1944
Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92X57mm)
Action Type: Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine
Markings: There is no visible import mark. The left side of the receiver is marked with a German inspection stamp Eagle over “272”, “3633”, “h”, a Nazi Eagle over Swastika, “G 43”, and “duv 44.” The sliding bolt cover is marked “3633” and “h” on the left side, with a faded stamp on the top center and with a German inspection stamp Eagle over “274” on the top rear. The rear of the stationary top cover is marked with a Nazi Waffenamt Eagle over “WaAA44”. The left rear of the receiver is marked “5”. The top right rail of the receiver is marked “2”. The top of the bolt is marked with a matching inspection stamp and a slightly faded Nazi Eagle over Swastika. The underside of the sight ladder is marked with a matching inspection stamp. The left side of the front sight base is marked with a matching inspection stamp. The top right of the barrel is marked “C J” and with a tool mark under the hand guard, in front of the rear sight base. The left side of the butt stock has “ME” lightly scratched into it. The right side of the butt has a “2” in the sling well and an “R” stamped deeply and clearly into the wood. There is some red paint in the “R”. The “R” marked stock is indicative of the rifle being issued to French border guards or French internal security forces after WWII (see http://claus.espeholt.dk/g43_parts.html). The leather sling is marked “MADE IN / GERMANY” on its interior. The first magazine is marked “gcb”, with two Waffenamts Eagle over “WaAB92” and “K43” on the left and “K” on the bottom. The second magazine is marked on the same areas with the same marks. The third magazine is marked “MADE IN DENMARK” on the bottom.
Barrel Length: Approximately 22”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post that is dovetail set into a raised base. The rear sight is a “U” notched sliding elevator marked from “1 – 12”. There is an integral rail on the right of the receiver for a scope mount.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a pistol grip, sling well, sling pass through, metal nose cap with sling loop, through bolt, metal cleaning rod and a metal butt plate with a hinged metal door for storage. The underside of the top handguard has a 1 ¼” crack extending to the rear edge. The handguard is secure but fits loosely. There are various scrapes scratches and compression marks on the stock. There is a small chip missing from the front nose, just behind the nose cap. The LOP measures 13 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is defined. There is erosion present.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish shows some fading and the beginnings of a brown patina. The front sight base and front of the barrel show small scratches and marks. The rear of the stationary top cover shows an area of pitting and pinprick surface erosion. The bottom metal shows some pin prick surface erosion and small scratches. The butt plate is worn. The screw heads show use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle.
Box, Paperwork& Accessories: The rifle comes with a brown leather sling that shows light handling marks and is in about Fine condition. The rifle also comes with three magazines that all seem to have very good spring tension on the magazine follower and all lock into the magazine well. The first magazine is worn from heavy use and has had its finish mostly worn off. The second magazine has more of its finish left but is just as worn. Both magazines are in about Good to Very Good condition. The third magazine has a few scrapes from use and has lost some of its finish. It is in about Very Good to Fine condition. See above for markings.
Our Assessment: This Nazi marked G43 has excellent markings on the metal and a desirable “R” marked stock that is indicative of post war issuance to France (ironic). The G43 has a much improved gas system (borrowed from the Russians) and is much more reliable than its predecessor the G41. This is a NICE rifle that will add to any collection, especially a WWII collection. For some video history on the G43 (and G41 if you search) see the Forgotten Weapons You Tube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUjPeAgvf3U. Some basics from Wikipedia: “Germany’s quest for a semi-automatic infantry rifle resulted in two designs – the G41 (M) and G41 (W), from Mauser and Walther arms respectively. The Mauser design was introduced in 1941 and at least 12,755 were made, but it proved unreliable in combat. The Walther design fared better in combat but still suffered from reliability problems. In 1943 Walther combined a new modified gas system with aspects of the G41 (W) providing greatly improved performance. It was accepted and entered into service as the Gewehr 43, renamed Karabiner 43 in 1944, with production amounting to just over 400,000 between 1943-1945.”
