MP43/1 zf4 sniper

[sen24]

Just want to clarify again about he MP43/1. The scope and mount did not come with the rifle and I found the scope later and the mount is a walther g43 mount. The scope itself was not sold to me as an original, simply an unknown. I do not have much confidence in its originality, but I think it looks the part and tells the story of the rifle well. Sorry if there was any confusion on that.
The rifle itself, I believe to be authentic.

[sen24]

One last thing I thought interesting...
A comparison of late-war Sturmgewehrs.
Ive personally seen dozens of unique combination of parts and finishes of late-44-45 guns. So far, I havent come across any definitive guide to latewar Stg44, Mp44s, and Mp43(which were still being stamped in 1945). It would be a big undertaking. There are different phosphates, bluing, and finishing techniques applied by all the different assemblers and their subcontractors in 1945. Most were because of lack of resources. There were many modified and simplified parts and receivers that are used when available, rejected receivers used when available, old dies, modified stocks. And then full blued rifles that look completely different only a few hundred serial numbers later.
In my opinion these rifles define the sturmgewehr idea and theres beauty in these striking mass produced weapons.
I have 2 rifles, the Stg44 "aL" block Sauer(shown before) and the MP44 "aj" block Hanael.

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I believe these were both the last blocks for each of these manufacturer and the rifles were produced in the final weeks of the war. One nice thing about late-war STGs is that you seem to be able to find them in very good condition mainly because a lot of them never made it to the front. Thousands were stuck in transit and storage because of the chaotic supply situation.

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The Sauer Stg44 was discussed above and a mix of blue and clear phosphate. The grips are red-brown plastic, and as mentioned before, this rifle is quite a bit lighter than other sturmgewehrs i've examined.

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The Hanael is all matching except for the buttstock furrel which has only crossed out serials. The receiver is a lighter phosphate, not clear. I have seen this type of phosphate on other german 1945 firearms. The forearms is unique with a reddish brown phosphate. Havent seen this on other Sturmgewehrs and wondering if anyone knows examples of this color of phosphate.

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The serial block is "aj" which at first I confused with "y" until told otherwise. Its a lite stamping. These are the last few thousand Haneal rifles made. Looking at the known serials most guns in this block at "StG44' marked and have the simplified receiver with the omitted ribs. This rifle is marked "MP44" and is the older receiver style. I believe it was a previously rejected receiver as the lower lip of the magwell was trimmed off before it the finish was applied.

Here again we have the simplified "plain barrel" front sight like the Sauer StG44 but it is of different design. Its marked "clc" and doesnt have the ridges of the Sauers.

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Overall this rifle is much rougher than the Sauer in fit and finish. The trigger group is in the white and it there are few refinements. Ive shot this rifle the most and can say its still an accurate shooter and works as well as any other.
Thank you everyone for checking out these pics. I always enjoyed when others share so I thought I would to. I really think it would be a great standalone thread so we can document and compare the late war StGs.

<a href="https://ibb.co/fAaovk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/jtMiT5/mp44fxo_01.jpg" alt="mp44fxo_01" border="0"></a><br /><a target='_blank' href='https://imgbb.com/'>upload from web</a><br />

[sen24]

OK here comes an image bombardment. With the MP43/1...Had a couple questions about the originality of the rail and the bluing so i took some detail shots.

One thing I forgot to mention is that while the barrel is in new condition it had been brazed at the bore, probably in the 50's or 60's. The tack was removed by the previous owner but you can still see the gold colored braze remnants on the left side of bore.

Theres very little wear on the entire gun. Only where you would expect it(hammer face, sears, etc. The sheet metal shows very little dings or damage. The components are all in excellent condition. The gas plug and gas tube are spotless and the piston has zero carbon or corrosion. The bluing is consistent across the entire gun including the receiver interior and all the components of the trigger group. The blue DOES extend over the welds and the rail.

And Ive never cleaned this gun while ive had it and thats been many years. Just wipe it down with a damp cloth.

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[sen24]

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[me6_130]

Really nice condition items. Here you can see how the CETME was developed out of the Sturmgewehr.

Carles

[sen24]

Thank you for the nice comment.
Last batch of images.

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[Alan Smith]

Any idea what the "3237B" number is on the barrel of the MP43/1 that started this thread? The original barrel that came with my MP43/1 (#356c - shown earlier in the thread) has the same number on it. Also, I have a friend here in Mississippi whose MP43/I also has the same "3237B" number on its barrel.

The barrel for MP43/1 #356c has no other numbers on it, i.e. it is NOT serial numbered to the gun.

I've heard speculation that these numbers are barrel lot and/or steel lot control numbers . . . . I have no idea.

The seller of my gun assumed that the barrel was a mis-matched replacement because the "3237B" number did not match the gun's SN . . . an assumption that resulted in a fairly decent reduction in the asking price. IMO, based on the observations of this same (or similar) number on other MP43/1 rifles, I believe that the "3237B" barrel that came with #356c is entirely original to the gun and (although not serial numbered to the gun) is in fact the original "matching" barrel that was assembled into the gun at the factory.

Here is the "3237B" marking on the barrel that came with MP34/1 #356c.

[Alan Smith]

E/37 acceptance marks on the barrel that came with MP43/1 #356c.

[Alan Smith]

Overall view of barrel that came with MP43/1 #356c. These photos were taken when the barrel was off the gun for repair of the barrel's chamber (which had been welded to "deactivate" it decades ago).

[Alan Smith]

Here is another barrel "Lot Number" found on an MP43/1 barrel that a local friend of mine came across. My local friend is a very active dealer in MG parts kits and is always coming up with interesting parts.

[sen24]

i Believe they are the barrel lot as well. The nice thing about the early MP43/1s like mine is that they are also serial numbered to the rifle right behind the front sight. no confusion. Not sure when they stopped doing that.

Same rifle above 2836a

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[Jeff V]

Really superb photos! Thanks for posting them!

[norge]

Great thread! Thanks
Best,
Gisle

[Power Taupe]

Very beautiful weapon and very good comment!

[sen24]

I had a couple more handling photos of the MP43/1 sniper before I put this thread to bed. Thanks everyone for checking it out.

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<a href="https://ibb.co/e0QVt5"><img src="https://image.ibb.co/c5g3D5/mp43sniper_02.jpg" alt="mp43sniper_02" border="0"></a><br /><a target='_blank' href='https://imgbb.com/'>upload pictures online privately</a><br />