Third Party Press

G43 AC 44 Panel Cut with interesting barrel markings

agentcq

Senior Member
I purchased this one off the forum from a member who wasn't so knowledgeable and was actually selling for a deceased friend. From the original pictures it looked pretty good, but after patiently waiting for export and import I was pretty disappointed when I received the rifle. The metal all matched but there was some bad rust on the outside of the last 4"-6" of the barrel/front sight and the wood despite being un-sanded was replacement 214 wood and the hand guard was cracked. I had paid premium value to finally receive a 'panel cut' but I did feel slightly deceived - lesson learned 'pics, pics, pics' prior to purchase.

The panel cut markings of G43 AC 44 are not necessarily typical either. It was once I took the rifle apart that I was most surprised. The barrel was not dated, it was a OGY contracted barrel and I believe Waa134 marked. More interesting is it has two 'N' markings that almost look like a runic 'S'. All the markings and lack of markings make me wonder if this was a Neuengamme assembled rifle? I am interested in what other members think. I also have doubts if the rifle was completed in 1944 and I am wondering if a rejected receiver completed in 1945.

The rifle is #6810k

I managed to find an un-serialized factory captured stock and a minty hand guard that matched the bottom wood perfectly. No sanding or significant oiling. After about two weeks of my pine tar/varsol/linseed mix and a bunch of patience, I was also able to deal with the rust.

The scope/mount are original but none matching, but hey, I thought it looked cool. In the end I have a rifle I'm happy keeping versus one I would have rather returned if it didn't have to cross an international border.
 

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Wow. That stock color looks familiar. That is apparently exactly what some of them looked like back in the day either when new or if they’ve never seen service. This is s d block ac45. One thing I do note is the serialization of that mount, but others far more knowledgeable than myself will chime in with some insight. That a very Interesting G43 and I look forward to information from other members about it.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
those markings look very weird... I don't like the looks of the mount from that one photo.. more close up photos need to be posted. its a K block so fairly early as most panel cuts turn up in the n-q blocks..

second rifle the mount also looks suspicious ???
 
Good eyes on the mount.
I have no questions that the mount is original WWII vintage, but the serial numbering is weird/suspect (not the typical acid etched slant script on the right side of the mount). Either it was a waffen meister replacement and marked differently or an un-numbered mount that someone serialized to enhance the mount for their rifle? The later option doesn't necessarily make sense, as why force match a mount and then separate it from a rifle and an un-numbered mount is generally more valuable than a numbered mount unless you have that rifle. The numbering is similar to what you see on 214 mounts.
 
the earliest Walther square edge mounts are blued and have center bent levers. But are stamped with the rifle and scope serial #. could be a leftover ??? but, I highly doubt it.
 
I'm not liking the mount either. Numbering looks bogus. I don't like the placement of the e/359 nor the over all shape of the mount. A little while ago someone posted a G43 mount that turned out to be fake after he posted better pictures. It was pretty close. I would like to see better pictures of this one.
 
I guess we should focus on the rifle itself as I took it that the post was about anyway. No, I don’t like the serialization of the mount as I stated before (I focus on mounts for some danger reason every time they are part of a post, an auction, etc. I suppose because they are so expensive). So how about some more pics of the rifle itself and, if the OP is willing, of the mount, up close, as well?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
G.43 ac44 #6180k

Only thing I have on the rifle is from a forum member who posted it in 2018 in California.

(There’s more earlier, but this is just where I happened to start-wanted to show how spaced out they were in this range. Of course there are more in and between these rifles as these are just the known and reported ones at this point.)

“panel cut receiver” G.43 ac44 #2824i”.
“panel cut receiver” G.43 ac44 #6574i”.
“panel cut receiver” G.43 ac44 #1584k”.
“panel cut receiver” G.43 ac44 #3697k”.
“panel cut receiver” G.43 ac44 #3708k”.
(then your rifle is next)

G.44 ac44 #5444k 2cm longer barrel.

Interesting note: G.43 #9478j has an authentic hardwood stock, barrel date “6 8 45”, so the rifle was assembled in early ‘45.

G.43 ac44 #5809k barrel code “bys45”, assembled in ‘45.

After these, “panel cut receivers” start getting a little more numerous. So, just before your rifle, through and past your rifle, things started getting odd. Not quite the word for it but these weren’t assembled consecutively down the line all the time it seems.
 
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I started a new thread for the scope mount as it was a distraction to my original thread, which was really about the rifle.
http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?35839-zf4-mount-9076

The original rifle was posted in 2018 on this forum and purchased on this forum. It originally looked great in the photo's but once received the stock was original WWII and un-touched but it sat in a 214 stock and the hand guard was cracked badly. This is why I replaced the stock with factory captured wood. There was also extensive rust as mentioned on the last 4-6" of the barrel and sight, some surface and some 1/16" almost 1/8" thick. As you can see it cleaned up nicely. J.B. also had interest in possibly purchasing the rifle at that time. Original link below:
http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?33839-Walther-G43-desirable

I do find the OGY Waa134 barrel interesting as that is sub contractor St. Etienne. Weaver had a theory that many St. Etienne produced receivers went to KZ production for Walther NG II as this was only an assembly plant not a manufacturing plant. It would make sense that other parts such as barrels might also be delivered to this assembly location. I am wondering if the unique 'N' (semi runic 'S') and lack of other traditional proofs and dating indicate a possible link to camp production. We may likely never know. The same goes for actual date of assembly 44 or 45? The receiver was made in 44 but was it assembled in 1945. If it sat in the original stock, we may have a better idea. The action itself only has traditional 359 markings.

Nevertheless, I was pretty happy with how this rifle restored and until I come across a more honest example, I am happy with how it sits.
 

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