This gun has been taped up in a box since 1979. It belonged to a friend of mine who died that year, and was passed along to me by his mother a few years ago. For some reason, I always thought the box contained a muzzle loader kit. I opened it up today, intending to have it put together for my son, but to my surprise, this is what I found. I would appreciate any information you could give me on what it might be worth.
Looking for Information on a G43 duv 44 I Found
- Thread starter Buffalo
- Start date
RampantLion
Well-known member
This is such a cool "time capsule". If all the parts are there, and the ones that should be serial numbered to the receiver match- than you have an excellent un-touched gun. The duffel cut through the wrist is a problem that will need to be fixed. But a repair is possible that could make a it strong enough to shoot again. It looks like the stock was not sanded and had great markings. Personally I would take a honestly repaired stock in this condition over a sanded/refinished stock. The rust on the parts does not look too bad, and if these parts were "boil conserved" (boiled in distilled water then carded with a fine wire wheel) than they may come back to look very nice. I see a project that had great potential if it's complete and matching.
If it's matching and complete, in it's current state, I would put a $3000 tag on it. If it was conserved, cleaned, reassembled and the wrist cut professionally repaired you would be looking at around $5000 or more with the current market for G43's. These are just my opinions on a ball park value. I am sure others will chime in.
If it's matching and complete, in it's current state, I would put a $3000 tag on it. If it was conserved, cleaned, reassembled and the wrist cut professionally repaired you would be looking at around $5000 or more with the current market for G43's. These are just my opinions on a ball park value. I am sure others will chime in.
With the wrist cut 'duffle cut' this is almost certainly an undocumented and untouched vet bring back rifle and an excellent find.
Looks like the mostly some gunk and surface rust and hopefully no pitting. I would generally clean and treat the metal with a mix of Ballistol/pinetar to remove the rust with a bronze wool brush (will not damage bluing and protect the metal). Then use acetone or varsol to remove any excess Ballistol/pintar and then put on a thin protective layer of Ballistol.
Other than getting someone to fix the stock, please do not touch the wood otherwise (no sanding, etc and I would even hesitate applying any oil). I would stress to whoever you get to repair the stock, not to mess with any other surfaces other than the cut surfaces that need to be attached, you may need a thin spacer as usually up to 1/8" of wood is lost when sawing and you might have a 'step' once the two pieces are attached otherwise.
Lots of videos online for assembly and it looks like all of the parts are there - at least the major ones and numbered parts which is good!!!
You may want to check the buttstock compartment if you haven't already.
Looks like the mostly some gunk and surface rust and hopefully no pitting. I would generally clean and treat the metal with a mix of Ballistol/pinetar to remove the rust with a bronze wool brush (will not damage bluing and protect the metal). Then use acetone or varsol to remove any excess Ballistol/pintar and then put on a thin protective layer of Ballistol.
Other than getting someone to fix the stock, please do not touch the wood otherwise (no sanding, etc and I would even hesitate applying any oil). I would stress to whoever you get to repair the stock, not to mess with any other surfaces other than the cut surfaces that need to be attached, you may need a thin spacer as usually up to 1/8" of wood is lost when sawing and you might have a 'step' once the two pieces are attached otherwise.
Lots of videos online for assembly and it looks like all of the parts are there - at least the major ones and numbered parts which is good!!!
You may want to check the buttstock compartment if you haven't already.
Joseph Burke
Senior Member
Very desirable find. Hopefully that's just a little gunk/grease there on the receiver below the rear sight. I'm not sure if I'd do much to that if you plan to flip. As stated above, absolutely don't mess with that stock at all.
If you plan to flip I'd say, as above, 3K is a very good starting point but if worded well it might do exceptionally well at auction.
I have one in a broken stock and supposed wartime done and I don't even have the butt end but it's still one of the gems in my collection for that reason.
I suspect your inbox will be filling up in short order.
If you plan to flip I'd say, as above, 3K is a very good starting point but if worded well it might do exceptionally well at auction.
I have one in a broken stock and supposed wartime done and I don't even have the butt end but it's still one of the gems in my collection for that reason.
I suspect your inbox will be filling up in short order.
Bigdibbs88
"Ach du lieber!"
Definitely has the untouched vibe. Not to be a Debbie downer but I’m not seeing the “desirable” part of a k43 with a duffle cut through the wrist….
I'd scrub the metal parts down with ballistol or similar and reassemble it to see if everything is there and functional before doing anything else. Cool find. $3K seems a bit optimistic considering the stock issue is a big one for most buyers. Does it have a magazine? If not, that's another $300-400 to add to the cost of resurrection, plus any other small parts that might be missing.
Joseph Burke
Senior Member
Advanced collectors will multiple variants and purists will see the desirable aspect. Folks that are just into average shooter grade rifles "to actually shoot", probably not so much. I'm not sure
how that'll translate into the end dollar amount though.
Last edited:
I sincerely appreciate all the comments and insights. I am completely ignorant about this sort of thing, and have no intention of trying to work on it myself. My experience with guns starts and ends with my .22 rifle and .410 shotgun, both of which I have used since I was 8 years old (I'm now mid-seventies). I am definitely interested in selling the gun, but I'm in no particular hurry. Can you guys give me some guidance on the best platform or venue or whatever for selling something like this? Again, thanks a million for the information and guidance!
RampantLion
Well-known member
You will get serious interest here. Now that you know a ballpark, you can avoid guys low balling you. If you want more visability you can post on gunboards.com for sale in their trader section.
joryfreeburg
Senior Member
Why not list it here? You have gotten honest advice IMHO……..
OttoVonBismarck
Exhalted One
Bronze wool will impact bluing. I’d still use it in this case as it’s substantially more than freckling. $5000 is wayyyyyy on high side even with the repair.
That sounds like a good plan. I didn't realize that was a possibility.
Bigdibbs88
"Ach du lieber!"
I’d consider myself an advanced collector and IMO there’s nothing desirable about this rifle with that cut. I think you’ll find that a cut like that is the kiss of death to most collectors, advanced or not, as well as shooters. no offense to the OP. I do agree a ship home crate if present will help
mauser99
Senior Member
As I said its worth the most to a purist with the box and contents as shipped back. If the box has the name and APO ect. If it was just sitting apart in some random box than no.. The box wont help.
its a parts rifle or if assembled a shooter grade rifle worth in the mid 2k..
its a parts rifle or if assembled a shooter grade rifle worth in the mid 2k..
100% this. Too me the only value in this rifle is to leave it as is. Just appreciate it for what it is. But the value is greatly diminished by this cut.
Last edited:
Are you insane? Where are you seeing rusty G43s with a duffle cut at the wrist selling for $5,000? Do you work for a website called Pre98? Hard pass
Personally, I think $3000 is way too much also.
luftpirate
Well-known member
The gun is worth whatever someone is willing to pay but I can't realistically see it going for more than 3k even if it was all matching, cleaned up and repaired, due to the stock cut. As stated repairing the stock might also might ruin the value to a collector.
I think it's pretty cool as is.
I think it's pretty cool as is.
