Walther AC43 G43 Panel Cut

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DWM1915

Senior Member
Wanted to post pics of a recent addition I was excited to pick up, an early Walther AC43 G43, serial number 1014 in the no letter block so probably October-November 43 for production. I thought the rifle has some really interesting transition features and early production quirks as Walther was changing over from G41 to G43 manufacturing. Lots of small parts with the e/359 proofs, non-ribbed bolt carrier, early style dust cover and the scope rail is not notched. The small font used on the keel for the serial number must have been short lived, I think by the no-letter block 44 they switched to the “typical” 10mm style. The early Type 1 magazine was a neat plus. Interesting repair on the front of the handguard, looks like it cracked at some point, no way to tell for sure but repair was well done and could even be wartime.

Sorry for the overload on pictures, when I was looking for information on these early rifles there are not a lot posted for reference, I could only find a couple to use for comparison.

Thanks, Nick

Pic01.jpgPic02.jpgPic03.jpgPic04.jpgPic06.jpgPic06a.jpgPic07.jpgPic08.jpgPic05.jpg
 
Wow

All good things going on with that one...down to the mag...:hail::hail::hail:

One of the nicest ac-43's I have seen.
 
Nice rifle, glad to see Bryan K finally sold this. Yes, the stock serial numbering is G41 style. My no letter block 44 has the typical Walther font. Also notice all the C10 marked parts. Sadly, some one ground down on the scope rail also. Tough rifle to find. Thanks for sharing.
 
That is a neat rifle! And, thank you for sharing.

On the receiver scope rail, I have prior info that states the rail is “in the white” where it was smoothed off. I have no info as to why or how. But, I am wondering why a prior owner would do that? Here’s what I mean. I have this rifle in my G.43 data base, but a known rifle just after it shows the following:

G.43 ac43 #1019, reported on 04-29-2009 at www.ww2weapons.com by “Dave” in TX, shows the rifle’s receiver as a “rough forged receiver with the scope rail NOT NOTCHED” and having a milled bolt action cover.

Here’s some more:

G.43 ac43 # 822, reported on 01-09-13 at www.gunauction.com , shows rifle as a “panel cut receiver”, “highly modified”, AND “modified scope rail” (no info on what “modified” means) and it has a milled bolt action cover.

G.43 ac43 #2897, reported 08-28-17 on gunbroker, shows rifle’s scope rail mount has no notch. It was reported as a “project rifle”.

G.43 ac43 #3516, seen at a Dallas Market Hall gun show, receiver rail has no notch.

G.43 ac43 #3565 was reported to be a scope/mount rig.

So, in this area of G.43’s something was going on with the scope rails.
 
Thanks everyone, I was pretty happy to get this one, once you start down the G43 path you are always hoping you will find an AC 43 panel cut as one bookend and a dual code as the other. Interesting about the rail, thanks for the detail on the other rifles around it Kelly, I took a number of pictures this weekend and disassembled, the rail sure looked like it is in the white and as it would have come from the factory but I'll check again tonight, it would be an odd thing to do as it still won't take a scope. Wish there were more available to compare with, hard to find other reference guns.

Nick
 
Over time I’ll bet more will appear. Could be a long wait though but you never know what’s lurking in collections out there, or museums.
 
I am sorry to say, but your rail has definitely been polished post war. The German's did not leave it in the white. It is likely that someone polished trying to fit a scope mount to it. You can see a small amount of the same polish wear to the side of the receiver. Trust me, I looked at this rifle very closely a year ago and it was what stopped me from buying it. I found other ac43 rifles that had the scope rail in the same finish as the receiver. It is still probably the nicest ac43 out there, so this is not me poo poo in the rifle.
 
Typically the rail gets thinned to fit a reproduction scope mount. The 214 and 359 marked Taiwanese Zf-4 mounts from Sarco in particular were tight, but otherwise well made. I recommend the other method: fit by having a talented gunsmith remove metal from inside the repro mount rail slot instead. Modify the repro, not the original.
 
mdarnell19 said:
I am sorry to say, but your rail has definitely been polished post war. The German's did not leave it in the white. It is likely that someone polished trying to fit a scope mount to it. You can see a small amount of the same polish wear to the side of the receiver. Trust me, I looked at this rifle very closely a year ago and it was what stopped me from buying it. I found other ac43 rifles that had the scope rail in the same finish as the receiver. It is still probably the nicest ac43 out there, so this is not me poo poo in the rifle.
Click to expand...

sure does look like it. but then does damm sabitors at the factory had small part

OP nice bcd.
 
tsmgguy said:
Typically the rail gets thinned to fit a reproduction scope mount. The 214 and 359 marked Taiwanese Zf-4 mounts from Sarco in particular were tight, but otherwise well made. I recommend the other method: fit by having a talented gunsmith remove metal from inside the repro mount rail slot instead. Modify the repro, not the original.
Click to expand...

Why would anybody in their right mind fit the mount in any way other than filing the mount and leaving the rail alone?
 
GunKraut said:
Why would anybody in their right mind fit the mount in any way other than filing the mount and leaving the rail alone?
Click to expand...

It makes no sense to me but folks do crazy stuff. Why several other rifles in the same serial number range have no scope slot and are similar no fits for slots and polished makes even less sense. Pretty odd coincidence? A more logical explanation would seem to be a lack of mounts, which was a known problem, but the more knowing have spoken. Good looking rifle though. Having missed a 43 panel cut in 97% condition, I think I am sick I was unable to afford the $850 in 1996. I have no specific recollection of the scope mount finish at the time. Wow, what a rifle it was. Best G/K 43 I have ever had in hand. I think we need more nearby serialed riles to be sure.?
 
Does anyone have an update on whether or not these scope rails without the notch are factory original in this serial number range?
 
DWM1915 said:
Wanted to post pics of a recent addition I was excited to pick up, an early Walther AC43 G43, serial number 1014 in the no letter block so probably October-November 43 for production. I thought the rifle has some really interesting transition features and early production quirks as Walther was changing over from G41 to G43 manufacturing. Lots of small parts with the e/359 proofs, non-ribbed bolt carrier, early style dust cover and the scope rail is not notched. The small font used on the keel for the serial number must have been short lived, I think by the no-letter block 44 they switched to the “typical” 10mm style. The early Type 1 magazine was a neat plus. Interesting repair on the front of the handguard, looks like it cracked at some point, no way to tell for sure but repair was well done and could even be wartime.

Sorry for the overload on pictures, when I was looking for information on these early rifles there are not a lot posted for reference, I could only find a couple to use for comparison.

Thanks, Nick

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Click to expand...
 
do you still have panel cut g43, my has small font sn would like pic of that and bolt carrier sn , I think that they are 3mm ??? thank you
 
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