G43 Unicorn found

[Hundids]

Seems like a pretty good deal to me. Congrats, I'd love to have a G/K43.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Unfortunately there is no written documentation of its story. So you will have to take the story for what it is. The story is the Grandfather of my friend killed a German SS Officer during the war. He took this rifle, a German luger with holster, and the silver colored SS and rank insignia off him because they looked like silver. His grandfather never talked about it and kept the rifle and pistol put away. He has since passed away and there is no way to verify the story. There may be a Army recite for the guns coming home as war trophies but he dose not know if they exist anymore. So the story is just a story and the value of the rifle is for just what it is.

Yes, I am certainly not doubting you or your friend or his grandfather. The story could very well be true. It is just that from a collector's point of view, a story like that doesn't add value to the weapon unless there is some proof. This is due probably to the fact that every Luger or Walther supposedly belonged to Himmler or Boorman according to some sellers. The SS was a relatively smaller element than the Wehrmacht and the officer corps was even smaller still and officers generally didn't carry rifles around.

Of course, it is also known that the SS loosened their standards for acceptance as the war drained their manpower and by late 1944 the whole German effort was becoming pretty desperate. Neat rifle, and neat story, and yes, you should buy it!

[major burnout]

The rifle speaks for itself. Buy it.

[knucklehead0202]

I would have it home caressing it by now, what are you waiting for! I'd give 1500 and a testicle for it, maybe both! Whether or not the story is real, the rifle is real, and awesome. I believe somebody makes a "shooter's kit" for them with a new piston and accoutrements to make it safer/more reliable to shoot. I know somebody here has the link(Pit). Awesome find, help your friend out with anything he/she needs because you have to appreciate people who sell you something they're not interested in, even though the likely know it's worth more than they're asking, they're selling it to YOU, because they know it's important to you. I've had that rare opportunity a couple times, albeit with nothing as awesome as this. Enjoy that baby!

[ElvenSoul]

$1500 shut up and take my money!

Op is a lucky dog!

[BrokerB]

Didn't realize itv8s a semi auto magazine stripper fed.. sweet sweet

[Springfield45]

Thanks for all the replies.

I want to get the shooters kit for it and replace all the springs. But I will need to remove the tape from the hand guard to get to the piston system. I want to be able to shoot it. Would removing the tape affect the value? It has been on it since the end of the war at least. And what kind of ammo would be safe for it? I have a lot of Romanian surplus 8mm.

[pitfighter]

Here is appfeltor's link - http://apfeltor.com

Taking the tape off won't harm the resale value - just do it carefully, don't want to tear off any wood finish.

Some of the hard core K98 collectors talk about a waxy resin that sits between the metal and woodwork that is affected when a rifle has not been taken down since leaving the factory (it is better for them to be left un-touched) - I don't think you need to worry about this, if you intend to shoot this rifle.

Do not use Turkish 8mm ammunition - it can harm this rifle.

Have fun.

[big103]

Buy good price, most i`ve seen nowadays have been monkeyed with.

[louie]

Do not use Turk or Yugo 1950's ammo. The Turk is very hot, and made for long bolt guns like the Gewehr, or Turk 38's. The Yugo is actually more dangerous. On the K98 forum there was a picture of a k43 w/ a cracked receiver. The Yugo 50's stuff had some very bad lots. These would fail at the base, and the pressure on the k43 will ruin the rifle. Besides getting hot pieces of brass and gas thrown at you. Most of the 50's is good, but some lots were defective, mostly 53-55 year. The owner of Ammo Bros. gun store was shooting some in desert when one came apart and broke his FN49 stock in half! Use newer ammo, or the Romanian stuff now for sale, Portuguese surplus, but not the Yugo or the Turk. Remember the receivers are cast, not forged so baby that baby. Super cool rifles, but not near as sturdy as a k98 or m1. and parts are pretty non existant. The guy who cracked the receiver had it professionally rewelded, but it cost him some $$$ and now it has really hurt the value of the gun.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Do not use Turk or Yugo 1950's ammo. The Turk is very hot, and made for long bolt guns like the Gewehr, or Turk 38's. The Yugo is actually more dangerous. On the K98 forum there was a picture of a k43 w/ a cracked receiver. The Yugo 50's stuff had some very bad lots. These would fail at the base, and the pressure on the k43 will ruin the rifle. Besides getting hot pieces of brass and gas thrown at you. Most of the 50's is good, but some lots were defective, mostly 53-55 year. The owner of Ammo Bros. gun store was shooting some in desert when one came apart and broke his FN49 stock in half! Use newer ammo, or the Romanian stuff now for sale, Portuguese surplus, but not the Yugo or the Turk. Remember the receivers are cast, not forged so baby that baby. Super cool rifles, but not near as sturdy as a k98 or m1. and parts are pretty non existant. The guy who cracked the receiver had it professionally rewelded, but it cost him some $$$ and now it has really hurt the value of the gun.

Is the Turk and Yugo ammo safe in K98's, VZ-24's, M48's etc? Geez I hope so because I have small mountains of that stuff.

[mosinnagantm9130]

Is the Turk and Yugo ammo safe in K98's, VZ-24's, M48's etc? Geez I hope so because I have small mountains of that stuff.

M98 actions, yes. Turk surplus is really hot.

[Hundids]

I shot 1946 Turk out of my RC K98 my last trip to the range and it is incredibly hot.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I shot 1946 Turk out of my RC K98 my last trip to the range and it is incredibly hot.

Well, it is summer time right now.

[Springfield45]

Update, more pictures of the rifle.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/23947845@N02/sets/72157645545302392/