[The Freeholder]

A friend has just walked in the door with a Gewehr 43. Looks like the Mauser, all serial numbers match. Seems to be "all there" with the exception of the top part of the handguard. Any ideas on the potential value?

[Jim K]

Value depends on too many things and more info, plus pics if possible, would be needed. I am not sure what you mean by the "top part of the handguard." If the handguard is broken, that reduces the value significantly.

Jim

[SigfanUSAF]

Going rate for a G43? $100 to $200, email me you address and I'll take it off his hands:D







Kidding:rolleyes:


They've been going for $2000 to $3000 depending on condition, originality, intact markings, and matching parts. More for an excellent rifle. You won't find a sweeter shooting 8mm. As for stock parts, they are nearly impossible to find, and the going Ebay rate on stocks sets almost equals the price of a CMP M1 Carbine:what:

[The Freeholder]

Was I ever off...:)

This gets better and better. Further research has lead both of us to the conclusion that this is a Gewehr 41, not a 43. The missing parts of the stock is what threw us both off. The gun, by markings, is a Walther, and has a 4 digit serial number with all proofs intact. As best we can tell, it's missing the top portion of the front handguard (think a handguard like an M1 Carbine--the top part is gone) and the entire forestock in front of that. Additionally, it's missing the sight hood and the slide on the rear ladder sight.

In some ways, this makes it worse, and in some way, better. The two of use think the sight hood and slide won't be too hard to come by, but an original stock will be a bear.

[Jim K]

If it is a G.41 made by Walther, it is the G.41(W). Mauser also made a different rifle designated the G.41(M). Both are rare and valuable.

The G.41(W) has a long handguard that extends from the receiver almost to the muzzle, and goes under the middle band, somewhat like that of the M1903 Springfield. The stock and handguard end at a front band a little like that of the K.98k Mauser, but without any cutouts. The stock has a bayonet lug, again like the K.98k.

The muzzle has a cone and a cylinder and piston around the barrel. There is no gas port, it uses a "gas trap" system. The piston is attached to a long medium stroke operating rod above the barrel that moves back to strike the bolt carrier.

If the cylinder, piston and cone are all there, and the front band is OK, making or having a handguard made should be fairly easy. If major parts are missing, you could have a problem as they are almost literally worth their weight in gold.

Jim