[BradB]

NEVER assume. Got this today at the Hampton VA show from a walk-around. When I asked around about it later, a couple dealers said he also had it at an earlier show. They had inquired about it, but balked when he said he wanted "five".

I caught him at the front entry table while it was being zip-tied (was on my way to the bathroom from my once-in-a-blue-moon "sell some extras" table, in this case about two years), and when I asked and chatted for a bit, he told me a bit more about his price. I expected a bit off because the stock had been sporterized (buggered). I don't have a G43 because they are just too expensive.

It is a WWII German G43 rifle, AC44 (Walther), Matching numbers. Rail ground off (German done). No magazine or rod.

What nobody ever asked was "Five what?". Everyone assumed he meant $5000 which is about double its value without the bubba job. After a quick haggle, I got it. Cost me $450.

It is getting a new (probably repro) stock for display although the orignial will stay with it and then it is going into my collection (permanently).

I also posted on the G43 board in the hopes of learning some more about the specifics of AC-44 production, when (and why) the ground scope rails, etc.

 

[Ironhorse]

Sweet!! And I'm still laughing...what a deal!

 

[bones92]

Score one for the Army guy.

Uh, I mean, "sir".

 

[Charlie]

Score one for the Army guy.

Uh, I mean, "sir".

He's just a Mister now and I don't mean the Warrant Officer term.

 

[Wolfsburg1]

Gah! Some people have all the luck...

 

[WLD Bill]

Good for you---enjoy.

 

[Alpenflage]

What a buy. Congrats! Might want to try a lottery ticket soon. Sure couldn't hurt.

 

[Alpino"]

Good to you Brad! There are some super K/G-43 sites on the internet. There is an outfit in California that makes K43 laminated stocks and handguards... with 12 laminations per inch, or something like that, as oppposed to the originals 14, or something like that. They are also on the internet. Give me a shout if you cannot find them.

 

[bones92]

Still, it's nothing compared to the 1934 VKT M27.

 

[BradB]

Good to you Brad! There are some super K/G-43 sites on the internet. There is an outfit in California that makes K43 laminated stocks and handguards... with 12 laminations per inch, or something like that, as oppposed to the originals 14, or something like that. They are also on the internet. Give me a shout if you cannot find them.

PM sent... no luck with google except for some that are in the several hundred $$ range.

 

[BradB]

Charlie is the one I called when I found the 34 VKT M27. He saw this one today too.

 

[Rockcrusher]

Great Find ! The frauleiin has a great home. Will
copy info that i have on G43's today at Office
Depot and give to Charlie at Show.

Flakshield, biggest crowd ever at Hampton (including
the old Coliseum location), elbow to elbow in the
aisles and a line to get in unti about 3PM. Dark Sun
had about 20 91/30's (mostly Hex's). A Yugo M48 that was
mislabelled as a M48A for $300. Avg con or less. There
was a SVT38 tagged for $5K. A dealer had about 10
Mitchell Mauser k98's for IIRC $400 and more. Didn't
see anyone walking around with a Mitchells box !!
Dealer had a couple of spam cans of Romy 7.62x25 for $140; figured on Sun for $15 less, mistake, they were
gone by 2PM.
A great day seeing Brad enjoy his G43 and talking to
Charlie, Badger, and Doug. Charlie, thankyou for your
kindness and much appreciated advice since May of this
year. RC

 

[cousinkix1953]

A German is selling original G-43 ammo pouches on eBay for around 80 bucks each. Most are dated 1943 or 44 and in either black or brown leather. You can't get them for less than twice the price on this side of the pond.

He might even have some of those other parts and a cleaning rod...

 

[Gewehr455]

Be careful with the cheap ebay pouches. I'm pretty sure the seller you are talking about uses the name Ukerous, or something close to that. The pouch he pictures in the auction, and the pouch he will send you will be different. If you read his description he mentions that the auction picture is just a file photo. A friend bought from this seller and received a couple of real dogs that looked nothing like the pouches pictured in the auction. Returns become real difficult when the seller is on a different continent Your milage my vary though.

A German is selling original G-43 ammo pouches on eBay for around 80 bucks each. Most are dated 1943 or 44 and in either black or brown leather. You can't get them for less than twice the price on this side of the pond.

He might even have some of those other parts and a cleaning rod...