WWII German G43 K43 8mm Mauser 21.75” duv Code Semi-Auto Rifle, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $5,025.00
LSB#: LSB251028TE005
Make: Berliner-Lübecker Maschinenfabrik, Lubeck plant (duv factory code)
Model: Karabiner 43 / Gewehr 43
Serial Number: 8417 d
Year of Manufacture: 1944 / C&R
Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm)
Action Type: Semi-auto, detachable 10 round magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked with a “214” Waffenamt and a Reichsadler along with “8417 d” G.43 duv 44 / F”. All serialized parts on the rifle are matched, including the stock. The scope base is marked, “fest / lose” on the locking lever along with a repro Waffenamt. The scope is marked, “K43 79791 ddx” with a delta. The magazine is marked, “awj” with a Waffenamt and, “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 tangent escalator marked from 1-12. The right side of the receiver has integral rail for the attached ZF4 optic. The optic is mostly clear and in Very Good condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece stock has a semi-pistol grip, metal nose cap with sling bar, cleaning rod, through bolt, sling well with pass through, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. The upper handguard has mild separation of the laminating, as is commonly encountered on these rifles. 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: 1x 10rd original magazine in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion and faith pitting throughout. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 7.5/10.
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 85% of its metal finish. There is moderate thinning and handling wear throughout along with scratches and light spots of patina. The action has light wear. The markings are mostly clear with some having been faded. The screw heads are mostly sharp. 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. The scope base is a reproduction part as is the dust cover.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Original oiler, repro manual, ZF4 scope, magazine, and leather sling.
Our Assessment: This German Gewehr 43 rifle, produced in 1944 at the Berliner-Lübecker Maschinenfabrik under the duv factory code, represents Germany’s late-war effort to field a modern semi-automatic infantry rifle capable of competing with Allied self-loading designs. The G43 was developed as a refinement of the earlier G41, incorporating a simplified gas system and detachable box magazine to improve reliability and ease of manufacture during a period of severe wartime strain. By 1944, production emphasized expediency over finish, and rifles from this period often display a mix of robust engineering and visible shortcuts that reflect the realities of late-war German arms production. Chambered in 8mm Mauser, the G43 retained Germany’s standard full-power service cartridge, offering substantial range and penetration in a semi-automatic platform. This example retains approximately 85 percent of its original metal finish, with moderate thinning, scratches, and light patina consistent with service use. The bore is light gray with sharp rifling, showing light erosion and faint pitting, and rates 7.5 out of 10, which is typical for a World War II German service rifle fired with corrosive ammunition. All serialized components on the rifle are matching, an important point for collectors, and the included original magazine further strengthens its historical integrity.
The rifle is fitted with a ZF4 optic, and while the scope base and dust cover are reproduction components, their presence allows the rifle to be displayed in its intended configuration. The stock shows notable wear, including mild separation of the laminating in the upper handguard and a split at the heel, all of which are accurately reflected in the overall Fair condition rating. Despite these condition factors, this G43 remains a genuine wartime example with matching numbers, correct duv markings, and strong historical significance. As one of Germany’s primary semi-automatic rifles of the Second World War, the Gewehr 43 continues to hold a prominent place in military small arms history. -R.E./MA
