Yes, many of the early Walthers and the later AC45 rifles were marked with this stamp at the top center of the exterior on the handguard. I've got an unsanded AC45 b block and it is quite clear. Most were sanded off post war because they were quite small and easy to mistake as just a "ding" in the wood. Darrin Weavers book mentions this marking in Hitlers Garands. Here's a photo of one that has been partly sanded out on and AC45 dual rail "b" block. If you want I can get a photo of the unsanded one later tonight when I get home. Lemme know...
Thanks, but numbered to the rifle inside? I didn't know the handguards were numbered.
They are not numbered...not saying one couldn't be...but certainly not standard.
They are not numbered...not saying one couldn't be...but certainly not standard.
My opinion differs from his. I say the stamps on the out side of the stock are legit. The H that was added was just that added. In a very poor manner. This was not someone using a set of stamps for a k98 eagle/H stamp. The H was made with a screwdriver or something not a stamp. All the exterior e/359 stamps look right. The serial # on the stock looks correct. It has the typical 10mm walther serial font stamps and a "i" block rifle would have a serial numbered stock. The h.g. serial is a fantasy item. And added by a moron with to much time on his hands. It could be removed with little harm done. The markings under the buttplate are the'" Nr" barrel blank provider or finisher and what is thought to be a date. Sometimes these numbers make no sense as dates though. I was told on later walthers they stopped serial numbering the outside bottom of the stocks and serialed them under the buttplate. I have only owned 1 late 'c' block k43 and cant remember if it was or wasnt numbered. Cant wait to see what else you grabbed. This rifle is all matching and in good overall shape..
My opinion differs from his. I say the stamps on the out side of the stock are legit. The H that was added was just that added. In a very poor manner. This was not someone using a set of stamps for a k98 eagle/H stamp. The H was made with a screwdriver or something not a stamp. All the exterior e/359 stamps look right. The serial # on the stock looks correct. It has the typical 10mm walther serial font stamps and a "i" block rifle would have a serial numbered stock. The h.g. serial is a fantasy item. And added by a moron with to much time on his hands. It could be removed with little harm done. The markings under the buttplate are the'" Nr" barrel blank provider or finisher and what is thought to be a date. Sometimes these numbers make no sense as dates though. I was told on later walthers they stopped serial numbering the outside bottom of the stocks and serialed them under the buttplate. I have only owned 1 late 'c' block k43 and cant remember if it was or wasnt numbered. Cant wait to see what else you grabbed. This rifle is all matching and in good overall shape..
Here's the numbers inside the butt plate on my mid "N" block AC44 for reference.