G/K43 opinions please

[Geof]

Guys

I have been offered this rifle, scope and mount. Tell me what you think?

Thanks
Geof

[Steve Flanagan]

G43

Well its been sanded, the wrist has of course been repaired, the mount is probably a nice repro and the scope has much more wear than the mount. Also the bands on scope are on backwards,,,(screws reversed )Depends on the price, have you taken it completely down to check if numbers match?

[Geof]

No, I havent had it in my hands yet. Does the sight hood look right to you?

[Steve Flanagan]

Rifle

Nope appears to be a k98 hood, shorter than G/K 43

[MAUSER99]

scope is poor.. almost looks ground dug. The mount is fake.
the exterior is too smooth. The e/359 is fake. Looks like the phosphated a
blued repro then added the e/359.
The leather scope cover looks good. Bolt carrier looks good.

[W Petz]

A key to pricing this G43 is matching numbers and whether it is a deact or not. I think most of the other problems have been addressed except maybe the regenschutzrohr (rain protection tube) and augenschutz (eye protection) and Schutzkappe mit Riemen (protection cap with strap) for the Zf4 scope. These three items are usually repros but it is possible the rubber eye protection piece maybe original....a hands on inspection should tell the rest of the story.

[Stephen Stout]

I agree with what everyone one stated. I would value this rifle if it is functional and all matching around $3000-$3500.

[bodes]

Nope appears to be a k98 hood, shorter than G/K 43

I disagree....I believe that is the proper height for a G/K43 front sight protector....Likely a copy however....Bodes

[Geof]

Thanks as always for your offered opinions. These will help me decide what my approach is on this rifle. The seller is insisting the mount is original, admits the scope cover is a repro and that the rain protector is original. The rifle is all matching but the scope is obviously not original to the rifle. I will see if he can be talked down on the price, maybe exclude the scope and see if I can find a better example. The rod through the wrist btw seems to be a prophylactic add rather than a repair as I can not find a crack in the stock once it is exposed.

[BB75]

I picked up a duv G43 in Mar. of this year and owned a bcd many years ago. So here's my 2 cents.

1) Check out these websites if you have not already.

www.gewehr43.com

http://claus.espeholt.dk/

http://www2.vvm.com:81/~histpart/

2) Disassemble the rifle and check serial numbering on the bolt internals and piston/cylinder assemblies. If they match, the rifle's value is higher. Look for any damage to the back of the receiver and the back of the stamped steel bolt housing (it's got a name, but I cannot remember it...). If you want to shoot it (can one own such a firearm in Canada?; forgive my ignorance) then you do not want to see damage in these areas. It can and may get worse. It can also be repaired (in the U.S. by Apfeltor in Ohio). Also, if shooting it, buy the shooter's kit springs and piston. They were not around on the market when I had my bcd and cracked metal resulted in the back of the "stamped steel bolt housing." My duv looks like it has been through a war and there is a raised section on the bottom back of the receiver where a small crack has started, less than a 1/4", which will likely need TIG welding if I plan on shooting it more. I'd look carefully at all the moving parts and the parts that hold them. The websites above go into detail about the physics and design and operation of these rifles, which were wartime designed and manufactured, not for a collector's market! Damage will mean a lower value and possibly compromised shootability of them.

3) Look for a *split" in the stock by the grip, where the possibly prophylactic pin is, and elsewhere. Mine has one on the right which goes with the grain and the lamination and is really hard to spot. Also one of your pics shows what appears to be a crack in the center of the stock behind the receiver. Might not be that at all of course.

4) Another person thought the scope might be ground dug. I am no expert on ground dug optics (or anything dug for that matter), but the glass and internals would I imagine give some indication of whether or not that is the case. I think it is just pitted steel. In any event, what is the clarity of the optics and do the elev and windage adjustments work? The reticle moves up and down for elevation adjustment; for windage, you keep the rifle stationery and watch the *image* move. The scopes can be cleaned and repaired but it is best left to a handful of guys (my bcd scope got sent out years ago to a guy in Calif. who is mentioned in some of the above websites) but I managed, proudly, to attend to the one on my duv rifle. I bet the scope mount is a repro. Most of them apparently are.

5) Sounds like you have not held/inspected the rifle. Apologies if that is not the case. I would, before buying, or get an inspection period with return option and then go over it carefully.

Good luck, they are nice rifles.

[bodes]

I picked up a duv G43 in Mar. of this year and owned a bcd many years ago. So here's my 2 cents.

1) Check out these websites if you have not already.

www.gewehr43.com

http://claus.espeholt.dk/

http://www2.vvm.com:81/~histpart/

2) Disassemble the rifle and check serial numbering on the bolt internals and piston/cylinder assemblies. If they match, the rifle's value is higher. Look for any damage to the back of the receiver and the back of the stamped steel bolt housing (it's got a name, but I cannot remember it...). If you want to shoot it (can one own such a firearm in Canada?; forgive my ignorance) then you do not want to see damage in these areas. It can and may get worse. It can also be repaired (in the U.S. by Apfeltor in Ohio). Also, if shooting it, buy the shooter's kit springs and piston. They were not around on the market when I had my bcd and cracked metal resulted in the back of the "stamped steel bolt housing." My duv looks like it has been through a war and there is a raised section on the bottom back of the receiver where a small crack has started, less than a 1/4", which will likely need TIG welding if I plan on shooting it more. I'd look carefully at all the moving parts and the parts that hold them. The websites above go into detail about the physics and design and operation of these rifles, which were wartime designed and manufactured, not for a collector's market! Damage will mean a lower value and possibly compromised shootability of them.

3) Look for a *split" in the stock by the grip, where the possibly prophylactic pin is, and elsewhere. Mine has one on the right which goes with the grain and the lamination and is really hard to spot. Also one of your pics shows what appears to be a crack in the center of the stock behind the receiver. Might not be that at all of course.

4) Another person thought the scope might be ground dug. I am no expert on ground dug optics (or anything dug for that matter), but the glass and internals would I imagine give some indication of whether or not that is the case. I think it is just pitted steel. In any event, what is the clarity of the optics and do the elev and windage adjustments work? The reticle moves up and down for elevation adjustment; for windage, you keep the rifle stationery and watch the *image* move. The scopes can be cleaned and repaired but it is best left to a handful of guys (my bcd scope got sent out years ago to a guy in Calif. who is mentioned in some of the above websites) but I managed, proudly, to attend to the one on my duv rifle. I bet the scope mount is a repro. Most of them apparently are.

5) Sounds like you have not held/inspected the rifle. Apologies if that is not the case. I would, before buying, or get an inspection period with return option and then go over it carefully.

Good luck, they are nice rifles.

Bolt housing or action cover......Bodes

[Geof]

@BB75

great help here my friend. I am certainly going to get the rifle in my hands before deciding what to do. Yes these rifles are legal here, semi auto is non-restricted, the magazine needs to be pinned at 5 rounds.

Don't get me wrong, I am not in love with this rifle. They are scarce up here but you do see one a year or so and I am ready to wait for the right rifle, I have a collection to complete and I don't need any charity snaps.

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate the community that exists here.

Cheers
Geof

[Stephen Stout]

@BB75

great help here my friend. I am certainly going to get the rifle in my hands before deciding what to do. Yes these rifles are legal here, semi auto is non-restricted, the magazine needs to be pinned at 5 rounds.

Don't get me wrong, I am not in love with this rifle. They are scarce up here but you do see one a year or so and I am ready to wait for the right rifle, I have a collection to complete and I don't need any charity snaps.

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate the community that exists here.

Cheers
Geof

Good luck on the G43 hunting!! I really love mine and I think they are very neat rifles. Here is a picture of mine of which is an early DUV 44 G43: