German K43 G43 8mm Mauser Walther ac Code Semi-Auto Rifle C&R 1945

SOLD FOR: $3,275.00

LSB#: WY241008CW077

Make: Walther (ac factory code)

Model: Karabiner 43 / Gewehr 43

Serial Number: 3413b

Year of Manufacture: 1945

Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm)

Action Type: Semi-auto flapper locked system, detachable 10 round magazine

Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked, “K43 ac 3413b”. All serialized parts are non-matched to the receiver. There are some Waffenamt and Reichsadler marks on the bolt head. The magazine is marked, “awj K43”.

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 escalator marked from 1-12. The right side of the receiver has integral rail for an optic.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece laminate wood 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. There is a split down the entire center length of the stock and a split at the comb. There are scratches and pressure dents throughout. The LOP measures 13.6” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Fair overall condition.

Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 10 round magazine in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued, Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is defined. There is faint erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 9/10.

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 70% of its metal finish. There are scuffs, thinning, and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. The action has moderate wear. There is quite a bit of grease in the bolt. The screw heads show moderate use. The markings are somewhat clear, though some of the smaller ones are worn around the edges. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good 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: One 10rd magazine.

Our Assessment: Early into the Second World War Germany observed that semi-automatic rifles were going to be essential for the future of infantry combat. A set of requirements for a new rifle were dispersed to various German firearms manufacturers, with Walther and Mauser submitting prototypes. Both designs were produced, but because of the requirements set by the German military, they were unreliable and only made in relatively small numbers. After the invasion of the Soviet Union, Germany came into possession of SVT-40 rifles, which utilized a gas-operated short-stroke piston action. This more reliable action was paired with useful design aspects of the Walther designed G41 to create the G43 (later renamed the K43). This new rifle had a similar action to the SVT-40 and a detachable 10 round box magazine. The receivers also had an integrated rail on the right side for the ZF4 scope. Over 400,000 K43s were made by the end of the war. This is a very late war example made by Walther in 1945, which explains the rough workmanship on some of the parts like the bolt carrier. The laminate stock has several large splits throughout. There is moderate handling and use wear. The bore is bright with strong rifling. This is certainly a functional and shootable example of a K43 that would fit into any German or Second World War collection. -R.E.

German K43 G43 8mm Mauser Walther ac Code Semi-Auto Rifle C&R 1945
German K43 G43 8mm Mauser Walther ac Code Semi-Auto Rifle C&R 1945