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Walther, not Mauser, but I can't think where else to put it.
Just acquired. The magazine is incorrect, but the plate matches numberwise, and the machine work looks very professional. I'm trying to decide if this was some local unit's work, an arsenal job, some sort of fabricated workaround for lacking the magazine, or what.
More pics.
My impression: not ex-arsenal, and not Bubba either, but the work of a local unit ("base workshop") to keep a rifle in action, lacking the original magazine, which was presumably damaged - they don't just fall out. Collectors often forget that the armorer's job was to keep the guns shooting, not to produce perfectly matching equipment in so-called "correct original condition" for said collectors to enthuse over 75 years later!Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelWilliamson
To use the well-worn phrase, that magazine is "part of its history". To replace it, for instance, in the misguided attempt to make it more "original" or "correct" would, in fact, be a falsification. I am not suggesting that that is what you are intending to do, merely taking the opportunity to point out what is, alas, all too frequently done.
It looks pretty good like it is, why not leave it?
First, I want to determine how and why it was done. Patrick offers some good suggestions. This was certainly done in a professional machine shop.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Second, if it was not a military mod, then it's not correct for the rifle, and the value is reduced, and it should be fixed as well as possible.
If it turns out it was an armorer repair, or likely to be, then of course it should be retained that way.
"Looks good" is the death of so many artifacts--people who incorrectly polish swords, clean coins, chrome plate Mausers, etc.
I haven't had one in hand before, so I'm wondering if that baseplate is original. If so, Patrick's hypothesis gains additional weight. If it was fabricated from Mauser parts, we still don't know. I've got a query in with a Danish collector who may have additional insight.
And of course, I would try to keep the modded parts as well, since one way or another they're beautifully done examples of gunsmithing.
---------- Post added at 12:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:06 PM ----------
Yes, but it's only "part of history" if it's not Bubba.Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Chadwick
First I need to figure out what and why. Then decide how to proceed.
Thanks for the brush off, I meant it's likely correct so leave it. Have at 'er, whatever...thanks for coming by.Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelWilliamson
It is not correct. That's why I was asking.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
So, in return, if you don't actually know anything about this weapon, please don't pretend you do.
Thanks for coming by.
---------- Post added at 01:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:30 PM ----------
It's supposed to look like this, for those who haven't seen one. Which is most people.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../09/1652-1.jpg
Patrick, I don't think this was a field repair. It's a lot of work that would have been more easily handled with, "Here's a Mauser. We'll use this one for parts."
Also, the base was reblued after the alteration, which would certainly not be a field repair.
It could be a post-war change for either some legal compliance, or to turn an incomplete gun sellable, done by a professional gunsmith. But no one so far has seen another one, which certainly makes it interesting.
That's where you'd be wrong, and arrogance goes short here. Correct doesn't mean factory either...I believe it was done by the men back then. Anyway, we'll be watching you try to prove something that's impossible to prove either way. You'll end up with what YOU want to believe.Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelWilliamson
Had the gun been in Canada it well could have been changed to comply short mag capacity. But it isn't.
Consulting with an historian.
German law has a 10 round limit, so there was no need to reduce it, and all the waffenamts are intact. It was probably not a German modification.
There are no import marks.
Still not finding any similar rifles documented anywhere.
Probably a US repair for a damaged or missing magazine.
I will try to find an original magazine, which might drop in in place, it doesn't appear the base was modified, only the plate.
jallen
7:21 AM (3 hours ago)
to me
After the war both G41s and G43 had magazine mods made by hunters. These pop up for sale from time to time.
You can buy reproduction mags online , I cant find the link but there is a place in France that sells gun parts.
~~~
Aha. And found it.
Boitier Magasin G41
I guess a repro will have to do, and I'll keep the hunting base as well, since that's both interesting, functional, and part of the record.
Sounds like a good compromise that avoids doing anything irreversible!