K43

[WHH]

[Rogerbutthead]

Pretty decent forum - http://www.k98kforum.com/forumdispla...41-G-K43-Forum

Either Walther made - ac or BLM made - qve

post some pics

Claus's site - serial number study - you can compare yours to those reported. It would be interesting to see if it is already reported.

https://claus.espeholt.dk/mediearkiv/g43k43_c.pdf

https://claus.espeholt.dk/mediearkiv/g-k43-data-sheet-2.pdf

[RNE228]

I have my Grandfathers K43 qve. He got it in the 1950's.

Bummer is, it was converted to 30-06

[MajorSideburns]

If you have no intention of shooting it, I would use a preservative not a lubricant. Something like grease, because oil will dry out too quickly. Put a patch of RIG grease down the bore, disassemble and coat all the metal parts with a thin layer of RIG or similar grease. Try to keep thick grease away from the wood. Use a rag and lightly rub a small amount of boiled linseed or mineral oil into the wood if its dry, taking care not to rub away any patina of age. That's what I would do if it were mine. And post some pictures for us to ogle!

[Bainter1212]

WD-40 makes a "specialist" corrosion inhibitor that works better than grease (IMHO) and comes in a spray can. It is not cheap, and it is thick, but it will flow into crevices and tight spots where grease won't.
I use it on all my "not gonna shoot" pieces.

[WHH]

Couple of updates (still working on photos). I managed to get the bolt out and apart. It's a 7XXXk K.43 qve 45. Doesn't show up in Claus's study. The same serial number appears on the receiver and the bolt, and I can see the last two numbers of the serial scribed on several parts internally, including the locking lugs. Seems to be as matching as it could possibly be. It's incredibly dirty, but the bore seems to be cleaning up. I can make out a number stamped on the stock, but can't see any other markings yet. It's missing the cleaning rod and sling. Hopefully I can find something appropriate for a decent price. Really enjoying getting to know this gun. Hopefully I'll be able to put it back together.

[God Bless America]

I have my Grandfathers K43 qve. He got it in the 1950's.

Bummer is, it was converted to 30-06

8mm-06?

[smle-man]

8mm-06?

I'm surprised the magazine is long enough to feed .30-06 or 8mm-06.

[CALI-gula]

Here's a tip; when searching for G43 parts and info online, remember to include "-Glock" - as in "minus Glock" - in your search query.



.

[Rogerbutthead]

As I recall, BLM qve K43s had the serial number stamped on the bottom of the stock - butt side - smaller font than the larger Walther numbers. WaA214 also on the right side of the buttstock. They are usually smoother than the rough late war Walther stocks. BLM never did the late war mfg shortcuts - dual rail or no bolt stop - that Walther did.

You do have a rifle that is in that weird group where BLM was switching from G43 duv 44's to K43 duv 44's then K43 qve 45 in the "k" alphas. (Claus has two listed in the "h" alpha - haven't seen Weaver's comment on that development.) According to Hitler's Garands page 349 - the lowest serial numbered K43 qve 45 is 3015k and the highest is 8555f. Claus's list might be more current. So although one would think that a K43 qve 45 in the 7xxxk range would be later produced than K43 qve 45 in the "f" alpha series, the collecting community would point to Weaver's book as the word of god on the subject.

Weaver is currently working on an update for the 2001 First Edition "Hitler's Garands."

[GunKraut]

Hopefully I'll be able to put it back together.

Check YouTube

[WHH]

As I recall, BLM qve K43s had the serial number stamped on the bottom of the stock - butt side - smaller font than the larger Walther numbers. WaA214 also on the right side of the buttstock. They are usually smoother than the rough late war Walther stocks. BLM never did the late war mfg shortcuts - dual rail or no bolt stop - that Walther did.

You do have a rifle that is in that weird group where BLM was switching from G43 duv 44's to K43 duv 44's then K43 qve 45 in the "k" alphas. (Claus has two listed in the "h" alpha - haven't seen Weaver's comment on that development.) According to Hitler's Garands page 349 - the lowest serial numbered K43 qve 45 is 3015k and the highest is 8555f. Claus's list might be more current. So although one would think that a K43 qve 45 in the 7xxxk range would be later produced than K43 qve 45 in the "f" alpha series, the collecting community would point to Weaver's book as the word of god on the subject.

Weaver is currently working on an update for the 2001 First Edition "Hitler's Garands."

Thanks for the info. What is the easiest way to get ahold of that book? I'd love to see what it has to say. It's quite pricey as a used hardcover.

[Rogerbutthead]

Forgot to add the standard link to Apfeltor - the acknowledged expert on G/K43 repair - http://www.apfeltor.com/html_pages/d...ailspage1.html

Pretty sure you have already looked at his site.

[SVT-40]

Some pic's of mine. It also has the East German sunburst mark on the receiver.
















Basically unfired.

[Rogerbutthead]

The VoPo's are a unique G/K43 that differ from the WW2 variety. From Hitler's Garands at page 293:

In the German Democratic Republic (DDR), many G/K43s were reissued to the Volkspolizei or "People's Police" immediately after the war. These weapons were arsenal refinished and their stocks were replaced. Most of the G/K43s used by the VoPos bear that organization's distinctive sunburst markings, and usually one or more "X" marks. A large percentage of Volkspolizei G/K43s were assembled from leftover parts, while others had their WWII codes and markings "scrubbed".

I have been told that the "orangish" handguard, numbered buttplate, electro pencilied magazine, etc. are all marks of a VoPo G/K43. VoPo stocks I have seen have had a "sunburst" image impressed on the stock to the rear of the trigger on the front portion of the handgrip area.