CE43 Total Restoration Help...

Mauserguy85

Well-known member
Hello,

I have posted on gunboards a thread about this and other than a few people trying to help me out, I have not had much luck with answers. I picked up a very interesting CE43 receiver. It was a good deal but no matter how much I harrassed the seller (a gunsmith) for the original barrel and other parts, he could not locate them in his huge inventory. So its time to move this project along as the hope of the original barrel and sights has faded away. The thing that seems a bit unique or strange to me is that the receiver ce43 is in the script syling, but is e/280 proofed on the receiver right side only. The trigger assembly and bolt stop just have the last 2 digits of the serial and no proofs whatsoever. From the research and examples I have seen that is a bit uncommon as the Erma supplied receivers had the ce43 in block styling. My goal is to restore it to military configuartion using the factory correct parts with the exception of a 8x57 mil spec lothar walther barrel. From what I understand the correct parts would be either E/359 or E/280 proofed parts, but which ones to be exact? Any opinions and or help is greatly appeciated as I would like to get this right. So again, the question is should I go with the 280 parts, 359, or a mix of both? Here are some photos of the receiver and part of the assortment of available parts I have for this build.

Also, can somebody help identify what the suffix is?
 

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The most common 359 proofed parts would be rear sight assy, the rest would most commonly be E/37 inspected.
 
The most common 359 proofed parts would be rear sight assy, the rest would most commonly be E/37 inspected.

Thanks mrfarb, did sauer's waffenampt inspections change during specific times during 43 production or was it more of a random type of situation? Also, do you suppose the letter suffix is a lightly stamped "d" or is it a gothic letter of some kind?
 
JPS was pretty consistent, but in late 42 to 43 a lot of parts were devoid of waffenamts. In fact, I think my CE43 has no waffenamts on any of the parts (save for the rear sight), only serial numbers! So to be a 100% correct resto you should look for parts with no inspection marks at all on bands/triggerguard assy. JPSauer didn't make many parts at all, but used a collection of manufacturers that supplied them parts, most from the Suhl and Zella-Mehlis area, which is why most parts you find are E/37 or E/359. Erma did supply them receivers and sight parts, and possibly other parts.

Her's a link to a typical ce43- http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?1872-JP-Sauer-ce43-Battlefied-casualty

Note it has 280 inspected sight parts but no inspection marks on bands/triggergaurd assy.
 
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