Dualing codes
- Thread starter Pisgah
- Start date
So, despite the difference in receiver codes, both rifles were assembled by Borsigwalde in 1943 and are approximately 32,000 apart by serial number. Kind of humid in PA now. When I took the rifles from air-conditioned storage to outside for photos, they collected condensation. This made the blueing in the photos appear a bit more washed out than it actually is. I am not sure about the meaning of the letter M on the bcd's rear sight leaf. I doubt it is a subcontractor code though.
Both very very nice!
Quite a rough milled floorplate for 43.
Quite a rough milled floorplate for 43.
Both are exceptional examples, the h-block seen before, but these are much better pictures. You have had it awhile... the m-block I have not seen before and it is the more interesting of the two imo, one of the last 98k MB made. The bcd/43's show up fairly regular throughout 1943 in MB production, especially f-i blocks, but they are just a continuation of the so-called "dual codes" began earlier. The straight up ar/43 are more interesting I think... especially such a late one.
The RS scales are an interesting subject, MB used sub-contractors throughout 1942-43 for them, mostly Elite, but a few ERMA show up, along with MB made ones also (these are unmarked, only serialed), the "M" is often seen, but not always, so far in the trends about half the time and "S" and "P" are also recorded. It is not a sub-contractor marking imo, but because it is so irregular it must be some in-house marking? Some adjustment? Nearer the end the sub-contractor (Elite) scales are almost nonexistent, almost always in-house made.
For what it's worth, straight up ar/43's can be tough to find this original. The m-block is the highest "nice" ar/43 I have seen, really MB production is probably one of the more interesting of the mid-war period, damn elusive in upper grades, more so than many of the other makers. Although ar/41 and ar/42 are well known for their "scarcity" in original condition, much the same could be said of ar/43, the production ranges for all three years is very close (all three years they made roughly the same number of rifles), but what makes ar/41 and especially ar/42 so difficult is the fact so many "dual codes" (other make receivers) exist. Coupled with the fact zf41's are so common in certain blocks and the high rc-rate these years, it makes getting a really nice "straight up" mid-war MB pretty tough.
If you have the BC's or noted any sub-contractor parts not shown, I would like to hear about it... no problem if you do not have them handy, just if you know. MB trends are scanty in the later blocks of 1943, - it isn't very thorough throughout 1941-1943 either... like i said, not an easy maker to find in upper grades and often when you do, most people do not show the rifles characteristics. Probably a mix of factors involved, one MB's minimalist marking pattern, but also many are older recordings and 10 years ago or longer, most people didn't take as good pictures as today (cameras are more common and better today too, - about the only thing better today is the cameras..)
The RS scales are an interesting subject, MB used sub-contractors throughout 1942-43 for them, mostly Elite, but a few ERMA show up, along with MB made ones also (these are unmarked, only serialed), the "M" is often seen, but not always, so far in the trends about half the time and "S" and "P" are also recorded. It is not a sub-contractor marking imo, but because it is so irregular it must be some in-house marking? Some adjustment? Nearer the end the sub-contractor (Elite) scales are almost nonexistent, almost always in-house made.
For what it's worth, straight up ar/43's can be tough to find this original. The m-block is the highest "nice" ar/43 I have seen, really MB production is probably one of the more interesting of the mid-war period, damn elusive in upper grades, more so than many of the other makers. Although ar/41 and ar/42 are well known for their "scarcity" in original condition, much the same could be said of ar/43, the production ranges for all three years is very close (all three years they made roughly the same number of rifles), but what makes ar/41 and especially ar/42 so difficult is the fact so many "dual codes" (other make receivers) exist. Coupled with the fact zf41's are so common in certain blocks and the high rc-rate these years, it makes getting a really nice "straight up" mid-war MB pretty tough.
If you have the BC's or noted any sub-contractor parts not shown, I would like to hear about it... no problem if you do not have them handy, just if you know. MB trends are scanty in the later blocks of 1943, - it isn't very thorough throughout 1941-1943 either... like i said, not an easy maker to find in upper grades and often when you do, most people do not show the rifles characteristics. Probably a mix of factors involved, one MB's minimalist marking pattern, but also many are older recordings and 10 years ago or longer, most people didn't take as good pictures as today (cameras are more common and better today too, - about the only thing better today is the cameras..)
heavy_mech
RKI- Reasonably Knowledgable Individual
Fabulous MB. I love the color and variation on the metal finishes and the color and crispness of the wood. Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
ar 43 664m
Here are some below-the-woodline photos of the ar 43. I will try to do the same with the Borsigwalde-assembled bcd 43 soon. Looks like the code on this one is "aw".
Here are some below-the-woodline photos of the ar 43. I will try to do the same with the Borsigwalde-assembled bcd 43 soon. Looks like the code on this one is "aw".
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Thanks Eric, BC as expected, although the m-block has the highest lot known on a MB finaled rifle. There are higher lots on e/135 final rifles (MO seemingly finished a significant number of ar/43 n-blocks, typically with MB barrels, obviously they were in process when sent off to MO).
I don't suppose any sub-contractor parts were noticed? Usually just FN parts, and the RS and TG show up sub-contractor, - buttplates not typically, but as so few photograph parts that are "blank", there is less than an ideal amount of observations...
It will be interesting what Bruce comes up with in V.II regarding these mid-war rifles MB made, - I have found them very difficult to get good information on. I suspect he will need these two for the project, as far as I have seen in over 15 years of recording, they do not have a great deal of company, especially the m-block.
I don't suppose any sub-contractor parts were noticed? Usually just FN parts, and the RS and TG show up sub-contractor, - buttplates not typically, but as so few photograph parts that are "blank", there is less than an ideal amount of observations...
It will be interesting what Bruce comes up with in V.II regarding these mid-war rifles MB made, - I have found them very difficult to get good information on. I suspect he will need these two for the project, as far as I have seen in over 15 years of recording, they do not have a great deal of company, especially the m-block.
Great Rifles Eric . Thank You for sharing them . I really like the AR . 
ar 43 5984f
One more. This one a bit earlier than the previous two. Barrel code is "aa".
One more. This one a bit earlier than the previous two. Barrel code is "aa".
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So this is who has all the AR43`s .
