The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
G43 semi-automatic rifle. Cast and pressed steel receiver stamped G43 and the serial number 2946. Laminated wood stock with a plastic top hand guard. Butt also stamped with the serial number. Complete with a detachable ten round box magazine. No bayonet lug was fitted to these weapons. It is fitted with a thin khaki webbing sling and an instruction manual is located in the butt trap.
The Gewehr 43 was the second mass-produced self loading rifle adopted by the German army during the Second World War. It was a logical development of the Gewehr 41 incorporating operational, mechanical and production lessons learnt from its predecessor. The gun adopted a conventional gas cylinder and piston design and did away with the previous muzzle cap gas system.
The rifle was first used in 1943 on the Eastern Front, though it was later used on all fronts as the war progressed. The rifle remained in production until the end of the war and was often employed as a specialist weapon, such as for sniping, where it was equipped with telescopic sights.
G43 Rifle. Semi automatic action made from cast steel and marked G43 duv 44 and the serial number. The laminated stock has Nazi proof marks on the butt. This rifle is fitted with a square section tele
G43 Rifle. Semi automatic action marked 'G43 bcd' and the serial number. It has a cast and machined action with a right hand cocking arm. The laminated stock has Nazi proof marks on the butt and a pol
G43 Semi-automatic Rifle. Mostly made of pressed metal with a few parts cast and machined. The top cocking slide has two cone shaped lugs and the safety catch is at the rear of the action. The left si
Gewehr 43 semi automatic rifle. The receiver and bolt are machined from steel castings, with many exterior surfaces being mechanically unfinished. Markings on the left side are G43, ac 44 and the seri
G43 Rifle. Semi automatic action marked K43 qve 45 and the serial number. It has a cast and machined action with a right hand cocking arm. The laminated stock has Nazi proof marks on the butt and the
G43 Rifle. Semi automatic action marked K43 qve 45 and the serial number. The bolt and breech cover are marked 2645. The laminated stock has nazi proof marks on the butt. This rifle is fitted with a Z
