I’m picking up a AR 43 sporterized ZF41. It retains the ZF41 base but the scope rail was cosmetically milled off. Would this be a post-war modification/sporterization? Or did the Germans ever mill off ZF41 rails like they did on ZF4 rails on the K43 series of rifles? Trying to figure out if the milled off rail is a legit variation or not. Thank you.
AR 43 ZF41 scope rail
- Thread starter agentcq
- Start date
sturmgrenadier
Senior Member
Yeah definitely part of sportering. But how dumb, like what did the guy save a few grams.
That’s the current plan. I actually had a spare rail and scope/mount/can set that was just sitting around. For the price I thought why not restore the poor thing? I’d be into it for less than an RC. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t a variation before doing the work.
Pics to come one restored.
good luck with your project
Rifle in hand.
Too bad it was messed with as everything else was correct for an ar43 zf41.
I’ll end up restoring it, just weight my options at the moment.
Either weld on a rail or use an asssniper zf41 bass out of France and keep the sporter base with the rifle?
I thought about welding or soldering on a rail would be simple, but it needs shaping and milling as the rail has the added metal for the extended side of the left sight base.
Too bad it was messed with as everything else was correct for an ar43 zf41.
I’ll end up restoring it, just weight my options at the moment.
Either weld on a rail or use an asssniper zf41 bass out of France and keep the sporter base with the rifle?
I thought about welding or soldering on a rail would be simple, but it needs shaping and milling as the rail has the added metal for the extended side of the left sight base.
Attachments
Somewhere in one of the boxes I have an original ZF41 base with two WaA26 stamps. Not sure if that would be correct for your 1943 rifle.
Years ago, I showed it to Bruce. He sure will be able to tell you if it would be correct for your gun.
PS: here we go. Some shots
Years ago, I showed it to Bruce. He sure will be able to tell you if it would be correct for your gun.
PS: here we go. Some shots
Attachments
Last edited:
Maybe PM me.
Not 100% correct as ar43 had no waa on the base but they did in 1942.
But perhaps better than a repro base and who didn’t say they didn’t use a left over base in 1943?
As long as I didn’t misrepresent it in a sale I see no foul.
If the price or trade was a reasonable option, IMHO it is a way better method of restoration compares to a repro base.
Not 100% correct as ar43 had no waa on the base but they did in 1942.
But perhaps better than a repro base and who didn’t say they didn’t use a left over base in 1943?
As long as I didn’t misrepresent it in a sale I see no foul.
If the price or trade was a reasonable option, IMHO it is a way better method of restoration compares to a repro base.
IMHO , it all depends on how much needs to done to restore a Rifle . That said the restoration should be done with all correct & original parts that are needed to bring it back to factory originality . This is the hardest part finding the correct parts and having the patient to do it correctly .
I finally got together with a friend and restored this rifle or at least got some of the hardest work done.
I first purchased a spare rail to weld on - but the contour was completely incorrect as can be seen in the pictures.
I eventually opted to replace the sight base with an un-numbered and none WaA base which is correct for a 1943 ar zf41. Of course I will retain the original base with the rifle and I was able to transfer the upper pieces of the rear sight.
End result looks pretty good. Original but MM mount will slide right on and locks properly (mount marked 1462c WaA 214). I have a few scope/mount sets and the patina matches the rifle best on this unit.
The trigger guard and floor plate match, so now I need to find a period correct stock/bands. This will never be 100% but at least it will be much closer than where it was.
I first purchased a spare rail to weld on - but the contour was completely incorrect as can be seen in the pictures.
I eventually opted to replace the sight base with an un-numbered and none WaA base which is correct for a 1943 ar zf41. Of course I will retain the original base with the rifle and I was able to transfer the upper pieces of the rear sight.
End result looks pretty good. Original but MM mount will slide right on and locks properly (mount marked 1462c WaA 214). I have a few scope/mount sets and the patina matches the rifle best on this unit.
The trigger guard and floor plate match, so now I need to find a period correct stock/bands. This will never be 100% but at least it will be much closer than where it was.
Attachments
Desert_Faux
Senior Member
Nice!
Next time I won’t burn my fingers so much.
Next time I won’t burn my fingers so much.
