1944 K43 field manual

[mike44f]

Haven't been on here in a while but this just re ignited the spark. I won an auction of USGI field gear and slings and while digging through the box, much to my surprise I found this. It has the folds like it was crammed in a buttstock but seems to have been flattened out by the previous owner. Very good condition for being printed in November 1944! I haven't seen an original one personally, what's the value on these? Definitely plan on keeping it, just would like to have an estimated guess. Its in the collection cabinet now, just figured I'd share it with everyone.

Mike

 

[Wilhelm]

It's been a while, but I'm going to guess around $250.

 

[Joseph Burke]

Wilhelm's estimate is on par with my own for that version (size). That's not to say you won't see them sell for substantially more at times and rarely will you see them less that 250, but ballpark 250 (+-) is typical in my experience for that version/size (two versions in that size). The early larger version is very uncommon ( I have two I think) and the late larger version I have never seen in the marketplace.

 

[mike44f]

yeah I’ve never seen one for sale before. Which version would the one I found be?

 

[CRH113]

yeah I’ve never seen one for sale before. Which version would the one I found be?

Yours is the later variant. There is an earlier variant that is about twice as tall. (not mine btw)

 

[Erniesq]

Your booklet is also the earlier of the two small size K43 booklet versions (top right in the following picture) - the later of the two small size booklets (middle right in the following picture) included an addendum of disassembly instructions for rifles not equipped with hold open latches on the bolt carrier.

 

[Peter S]

Your booklet is also the earlier of the two small size K43 booklet versions (top right in the following picture) - the later of the two small size booklets (middle right in the following picture) included an addendum of disassembly instructions for rifles not equipped with hold open latches on the bolt carrier.

View attachment 400789

I believe you are mistaken. Both of the small K43 manuals are identical inside without edits. It even says so right on the front cover The line under the "Von 11. 5. 44" states unchanged reprint Nov. 44

 

[Erniesq]

Hi Peter - let me show you what I have and you be the judge. The first picture includes the seven small sized booklets in my collection. The four on the right side include the sentence, "Unveranderter Nachdruck Nov. 44" on the cover which you state translates to "Unchanged Reprint Nov. 44" (same translation as Darrin Weaver), the three on the left do not. The three open books in the second picture are, from top to bottom, one booklet without "Unveranderter Nachdruck Nov. 44" ending at page 30, and two booklets with "Unveranderter Nachdruck Nov. 44" that display page one of the two page addendum (middle) and page two of the two page addendum (bottom). Here is the strange part, and what may have caused your original statement - only two of the four booklets in my possession with "Unveranderter Nachdruck Nov. 44" on the cover have the two page addendum - the other two do not.

 

[Peter S]

Nice collection of manuals you have! Interesting, because I went though both of mine, page by page and they were identical in every way. The one(s) with the addendum, is it a page that was glued in after the manual was printed?

 

[Erniesq]

Yes, it appears that there is a single extra double sided printed page glued to the inside center edge of the blank page at the end of the booklet.

That certainly begs the question about whether your booklet and the two booklets I have with "Unveranderter Nachdruck Nov. 44" on the cover were issued without the extra page, or whether the extra page fell out. I think my two were issued without the extra page because there is no evidence of glue or any other discoloration on the inside center of the blank page. If that is true, there are actually three variants of the small size K43 booklet:

1) Without "Unveranderter Nachdruck Nov. 44" on the cover;

2) With "Unveranderter Nachdruck Nov. 44" on the cover, no addendum;

3) With "Unveranderter Nachdruck Nov. 44" on the cover, with addendum.

 

[Slash]

Interesting discovery and discussion guys. Pulled out my field manuals to check. Of the type in question, I have only two of the "Unveranderter Nachdruck Nov. 44" booklets. Both of mine have the double sided addendum page. In both examples the added page is glued onto the last (blank) page of the manual. On one booklet it is glued so closely to the last page at the spine that it is almost undetectable. The other is quite easily seen as it was applied with less care and the edge of the back page is clearly visible.

 

[Peter S]

These addendums seem to be placed into the booklets very neatly and in a consistent manor which leads me to believe it wasn't the individual soldier that applied them. Maybe at the printers after the run was completed. I have a Schußwaffen 98 manual from 1935 that has multiple addendums that seem to have been added in the field by current owner at the time.

 

[Scharf]

Isn't there a later version dated December 44?

 

[Erniesq]

Maybe you are thinking of the elusive large size K43 booklet which I believe is roughly similar or identical in size to the large size G43 booklet. Frankly, I have never had one in hand, seen one for sale, or seen one on display at a gun show or otherwise. Also, I do not recall anyone on this forum claiming to have one - the only thing I have is the following picture, and I do not recall where I obtained it:

 

[biggymu]

Maybe you are thinking of the elusive large size K43 booklet which I believe is roughly similar or identical in size to the large size G43 booklet. Frankly, I have never had one in hand, seen one for sale, or seen one on display at a gun show or otherwise. Also, I do not recall anyone on this forum claiming to have one - the only thing I have is the following picture, and I do not recall where I obtained it:

View attachment 400904

SOLD - Rare K43 / G43 Manual - Large Format

9/19/22 - This is an original K43 / G43 rifle manual. This manual is the larger format (as opposed to the smaller format that fits in the buttstock easier). The front of the manual is 1944 dated, and all pages are intact. There is some yellowing and natural aging throughout, but no major issues...

www.legacy-collectibles.com

 

[Titan]

MODS, can this page please be added to the " picture reference"?
Thanks!!

 

[volkosupply]

found this many years back in the butt stock of a rifle I got
click link to view 'book'
k-43 sniper book
...............

 

[Titan]

Here are some pics of the late large size K43 manual. This is NOT the one that Legacy had.
Thanks, Titan

 

[Nigromontanus]

This is an interesting discussion. After the StGG accessories book project I will delve into the K43 accessories matter and present all manuals. There is more to this than in this thread, even though Ernie has impressed me deeply by having a manual which does not have the addendum pages, which I took for granted with the later manuals.

I thought I know everything. It is pleasant that it is not so.