Hi all. I finally joined the K43 family....after some research I think I picked out a decent one but I've got questions. Should be arriving in the mail this week. Has a scope that I believe to be legit but the mount is a repro. Walther K43, ac44. Trying to research a production timeframe is where I got confused.
Considering I don't have the rifle in hand yet, it seems like a mid to late 1944 produced rifle: K43 stamp started in the fall of '44 I believe, no barrel nut or barrel step down, has the stamped, manual dust cover with the pull tab, and still has the takedown lever on the receiver. However, it appears to be a "c" block. Wouldn't that make it a much earlier '44? Claus Espeholt’s serial number data for G/K43s are all "G"43 stamped around that SN and block, not K.
Anyone have any production date data by serial number? Unless I'm reading the block letter wrong or it's in fact an ac45 not 44 (the date isn't really legible in the photos), I'm really stumped.
Also, generally, does it look ok? I don't think I spent too much, ballpark average price for a decent example. Have a shooter's kit and some springs on the way too.
Considering I don't have the rifle in hand yet, it seems like a mid to late 1944 produced rifle: K43 stamp started in the fall of '44 I believe, no barrel nut or barrel step down, has the stamped, manual dust cover with the pull tab, and still has the takedown lever on the receiver. However, it appears to be a "c" block. Wouldn't that make it a much earlier '44? Claus Espeholt’s serial number data for G/K43s are all "G"43 stamped around that SN and block, not K.
Anyone have any production date data by serial number? Unless I'm reading the block letter wrong or it's in fact an ac45 not 44 (the date isn't really legible in the photos), I'm really stumped.
Also, generally, does it look ok? I don't think I spent too much, ballpark average price for a decent example. Have a shooter's kit and some springs on the way too.