new to me ac44 and questions

Kotkinjs1 · Nov 5, 2019

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.

Brian Kowalski · Nov 5, 2019

it appears, from these photos, to be a "c" block ac45..maybe a dual lugged receiver too? Tough to tell.

mdarnell19 · Nov 5, 2019

What Brian said, looks like an ac45 c block. Very late 1945 production.

Kotkinjs1 · Nov 5, 2019

I bumped up the sharpness as much as I could to see if you can discern a 44 vs 45 but it looks like it might be too near or just below the woodline to make out. I'll have to wait until it comes in the mail. Odd because the seller said ac44. K43ac45 would make much more sense though!

mdarnell19 · Nov 5, 2019

The fact that it is marked K43 makes it almost certain it is an ac45. A true ac44 c block from 1944 would be G43 marked. However, there are a lot of oddities with G/K43 rifles.

Roger S · Nov 5, 2019

Would guess AC45 also. The stock lug looks a little forward which would be a dual lug. Could be the angle of photo but looks it.

sturmgrenadier · Nov 5, 2019

It’s a dual lug. Like others have said, its an ac45 c block. The bolt carrier/ charging handle with the “hold open” switch is an earlier type that was probably rejected and then used on yours, you see them interspersed in late production. Let us know if the internals match.

robber3 · Nov 6, 2019

I have this Rifle listed as being sold in 2017 without the scope and mount. Definitely a ac45 c block.

Kotkinjs1 · Nov 6, 2019

This is awesome information; thanks guys!

With it being an earlier bolt carrier reject, is there any concern in occasionally using it sling some lead downrange? Also, being a 'very late war' piece, might it have been a factory capture when the Allies took the Walther factory? I forgot what date that was off the top of my head.

CRH113 · Nov 6, 2019

Kotkinjs1 said:
This is awesome information; thanks guys!

With it being an earlier bolt carrier reject, is there any concern in occasionally using it sling some lead downrange? Also, being a 'very late war' piece, might it have been a factory capture when the Allies took the Walther factory? I forgot what date that was off the top of my head.

Walther factory was captured in April, I’d have to look in Weavers book to see when the c block was finished. If I’m remembering correctly, G43 production for Walther ends at the d block.

Kotkinjs1 · Nov 6, 2019

Thanks. According to Espeholt's SN list it appears ac45 production went to the f block.

I wonder if there's a way to tell if this particular rifle was ever issued or captured in April. Probably never know!

flynaked · Nov 6, 2019

Those weren’t completed in Zella Mehlis though, parts were evacuated ahead of the capture in April. One good thing to look at would be stock acceptance as far as your question goes, might be hard to tell though with the sanding.

robber3 · Nov 6, 2019

The d block was the last produced at the Walther Plant, and I believe it’s accurate to say it was never finished. There was no e block, and the very limited f block you refer to were parts sent to BLM before the Walther plant was captured, and produced at BLM. These limited examples will have proofs from Walther, and BLM.

sturmgrenadier · Nov 6, 2019

Kotkinjs1 said:
This is awesome information; thanks guys!

With it being an earlier bolt carrier reject, is there any concern in occasionally using it sling some lead downrange? Also, being a 'very late war' piece, might it have been a factory capture when the Allies took the Walther factory? I forgot what date that was off the top of my head.

Most of your questions were answered by other members. The carrier could have been a leftover from earlier supplies, or it could have been a reject due to various reasons. Either way, I would be very careful if you plan to shoot it. The majority of the collectors on this forum DO NOT shoot their matching rifles, it only takes one malfunction to destroy a G/K 43 action. That being said if you install a apfeltor kit with springs and use new ammo you’re in a better position to mitigate some of the danger. As Clay pointed out, the stock has been sanded so it is not as big of an issue as it would be to some collectors.

bmwr12 · Nov 6, 2019

Kotkinjs1 said:
Thanks. According to Espeholt's SN list it appears ac45 production went to the f block.

I wonder if there's a way to tell if this particular rifle was ever issued or captured in April. Probably never know!

I own one of a group of 3 that where captured at the factory. 1199b,1206b, and an unknown serial c block rifle possibly 9302c . I have a picture of the 3 rifles with capture paper. I have been unable to locate who owns the other rifle or capture paper.

http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread...-specific-C-block-AC45-K43-rifle-info-in-post

Kotkinjs1 · Nov 6, 2019

sturmgrenadier said:
.....The majority of the collectors on this forum DO NOT shoot their matching rifles,....

If it's a bolt from an earlier run or different block/series, is it still technically matching? It sounds like it's more like force-matched at this point?

robber3 · Nov 6, 2019

Definitely not uncommon on ac45 Rifles to have either a bolt carrier with or without the hold open ! They were using what they had available as the end was near !

sturmgrenadier · Nov 6, 2019

Kotkinjs1 said:
If it's a bolt from an earlier run or different block/series, is it still technically matching? It sounds like it's more like force-matched at this point?

It’s still matching

Kotkinjs1 · Nov 10, 2019

New photos....my new ac45

Ok.....picked up the rifle.... love it! It is an AC45 as many of you have noted. All matching, even the little wedges in the bolt body. Getting the Wolff spring kit and the replacement gas kit so I can shoot this once in a blue moon.

Also, is there any way to clean the inside of the scope? It's a little cloudy. I assume not but just wanted to get my daily dose of stupid questions out there.

Finally, if I want to true late war setup, I should look for a late war, parkerized magazine with the third reinforcing rib on the bottom? This is an earlier painted one with two ribs.

CRH113 · Nov 11, 2019

Kotkinjs1 said:
Ok.....picked up the rifle.... love it! It is an AC45 as many of you have noted. All matching, even the little wedges in the bolt body. Getting the Wolff spring kit and the replacement gas kit so I can shoot this once in a blue moon.

Also, is there any way to clean the inside of the scope? It's a little cloudy. I assume not but just wanted to get my daily dose of stupid questions out there.

Finally, if I want to true late war setup, I should look for a late war, parkerized magazine with the third reinforcing rib on the bottom? This is an earlier painted one with two ribs.

There’s someone that cleans these types of scopes in the US, don’t know their name but I’m sure someone here does.

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