Walther K43 , 7.92x57mm

Description

Walther K43,  7.92x57mm

SOLD

An interesting part of WW2 history is that Germany entered the war without a semi automatic rifle on the drawing board.    Encounters with the Soviet Army revealed they were using the capable SVT38&40 series of rifle.   Matters got worse when the Germans went toe to toe with the U.S. Army and the M1 Garand.    The Germans fielded the G41(W) and G41(M) haphazardly.  While both finely made rifles, they were time consuming to produce, heavy and prone to fouling.

The K43 rifle was Nazi Germany’s response to the M1 Garand and Soviet SVT40.    Building off their earlier experience with the G41, the K43 utilized simplified manufacturing techniques to speed up production.    It utilized a simplified gas system, similar to the SVT40 that was robust and reliable.  One difference from its predecessors was the implementation of a detachable magazine.   The design was built about castings, forgings and stampings to minimize machining.

This example is a fine GI bringback.   Condition is excellent throughout.   Manufactured at the original Walther factory in Zella-Mehlis, Germany in 1945 (coded “AC45”), this rifle is all matching numbers.   It retains the original phosphate finish, laminated stock and leather sling.    Bore condition is excellent.  The receiver does have the scope rail.  The top handguard does have a minor split in the wood.      All markings are clear and correct.    The original manual/handbook that was issued with the rifle as well a spare firing pin and firing pin extension are contained in the buttstock.  The leather sling is in very good condition.  The sling keeper is a reproduction as the original was missing when we acquired the rifle.

This is an excellent condition example of a very collectible rifle.

FEATURES

• Receiver: “K43 AC45” s/n 8153c
• Barrel: Excellent condition, strong rifling, mirror finish
• Bolt: serialized “8153”
• Trigger Housing: Stamped
• Muzzle: not threaded (typical of K43s)
• Rear sight: leaf and slide assy, graduated to 1200 meters
• Front sight: unhooded
• Cartouches: “8135 C”  two “Waffenapts”
• Sling: original, reproduction sling keeper
• Magazine: excellent condition, maker “aye” (Olympia Büromaschinenwerke AG, Erfurt), black painted, “G43”
• Extras: original German Army issued rifle manual and spare firing pin and extension (stored in buttstock)