German K43 G43 8mm Mauser Walther ac 45 Semi-Auto Rifle C&R 1945
SOLD FOR: $2,174
WOA#: WY240215KN007
Make: Walther (ac factory code)
Model: Karabiner 43 / Gewehr 43
Serial Number: 9430
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 with a reichsadler, a waffenamt, “K 43”, “ac 45”, and “9430”. The left side of the bolt carrier is marked “9430”. The left side of the stock is marked with a waffenamt. The left side of the magazine is marked “aye”, 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 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 stock has been refinished. The upper handguard has multiple long cracks. There is a long, deep compression mark on the left side of the forend. There is a spot of heavy wear on the left side of the stock above the magazine. There are a couple shallow gouges on the right side of the stock below the receiver. 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 10 round magazine that has been chromed and is in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Chrome
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is defined. There is moderate to heavy erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 4 out of 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 as refinished. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. All of the exterior metal parts have been chromed, including the bolt and magazine. There is pitting throughout underneath the new finish. This example was made very late in the war which explains some of the roughness on the bolt carrier and receiver. The bolt is missing its dust cover. 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 Fair condition as refinished, because of the missing parts.
Mechanics: The rifle is missing its safety and the sear drops when the bolt is locked back and the trigger is pulled. 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: This rifle comes with a leather sling.
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. All of the external metal parts, including the magazine and bolt, have been chromed. Most of the chromed finish has been retained, with some wear throughout and pitting underneath. The stock has been refinished and there are multiple large cracks in the upper handguard. The bore is dark with moderate to heavy erosion. The original rear sight blade has been replaced with a buckhorn style blade. The rifle is missing its safety and dust cover. This is certainly an interesting example of a K43 that would fit into any German or Second World War collection. Please see our photos.
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