K43 qve 5277d

I picked this up at the Tulsa show a few weeks ago - I have been on the hunt for a better-than-average example after selling my placeholder K43 qve to a local collector/shooter a few years ago.

It came with a "G43" marked magazine which is a bonus, but the buttstock was empty. The rifle is fully-matching although the electro-penciling is very sloppy and hard to read - probably not a high priority function that late in the war. The wood is very rough and the stock inspection marks are very lightly struck - I do not believe the stock has been sanded.

All observations and comments welcome.

Ernie

A few more pictures...

IMO it was sanded long ago evidenced by uneven staining around the wrist and buttplate, the edges of the sling inlet and also the difference in finish between the area in the rail inlet. It would be interesting to see what it looks like under the buttplate, it looks like its seen some humidity and that may have aided in the delamination. Since its been cleaned its had some handling marks. Just my opinion.

I must have missed this one at that show. I was walking around recording all of these that I could see. Was this one at the large dealer’s table, lower level, against the wall? I think I did miss one there as I was too interested in that man’s $16,000 sniper rig (with non-matching mount).

No, the rifle was on the upper level Row 22A not far off the main entrance - I purchased it on Saturday around 1730. I briefly examined it on my first pass through that morning and came back to it after I had walked both levels. The other G/K43s I came across were rather junky and way overpriced in my opinion, although I may not have spotted them all as I was a bit rushed near the end of the day. The seller had no problem with me and my son completely disassembling and inspecting the rifle before striking a deal - any other response to that request would have caused me to keep walking.

Also, to luftpirates comment and request, here are some pictures of the stock under the butt plate. The tail matches in color and texture to the rest of the stock, the sides are stained with what appears to be a transference of the red rust resistant primer to the wood. The first picture also reveals another view of the significant crack/delamination.

OP

Nice looking rifle but I’d agree with the above comments about sanding and cleaning of the stock. Stock looks to have also possibly been stripped of some type of finish.. maybe using acetone or something similar, with definite sanding at some point. Notice the acceptance stamps and how “washed” out they are.

Please see the below link to photos of a QVE45 “no letter” block for reference. While earlier than yours, any un-sanded BLM stock should look very similar.

Stock may have been bleached to lighten the color.

“The seller had no problem with me and my son completely disassembling and inspecting the rifle before striking a deal - any other response to that request would have caused me to keep walking.”

Yep. 100% agree. No way I would put that much money on something and not know it’s right inside.

As others have said the stock was more than likely lightly sanded and shellacked then stripped . Or similar. It shows all the traits of being done even though its been done quite well. BLM stained their stocks to almost the end of production. Last few blocks stock are rough and raw. Overall the rifle has a nice contrast look it. Congrats !!