WW2 German gcb G43/K43 10-Round Ammunition Magazine - Original Issue
SKU: GERMAN GCB G43/K43 10-ROUND AMMUNITON MAGAZINE DATED 1944
Original/Reproduction: Original
Availability: In-Stock
Manufacturer: gcb
Date Manufactured: 1944
Model: K43
Magazine Capacity: 10 Rounds - 7.92×57mm Mauser
Size / Dimensions: Lenght: 3.5", Height: 3.75", Width: 1"
Materials / Construction: Stamped Sheet-Metal
Condition: Near-Mint
Price: $500.00
Seller Type: WW2C
Seller ID: JMW
Seller Code: 400
Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Description
This is an original gcb- Ad.Grohmann & Sohn Metal Factory Issue, near-mint condition, K43 detachable 10-round box magazine made of stamped sheet steel manufactured in 1944.
History
The German Gewehr 43 (G43) / Karabiner 43 (K43) was a semi-automatic rifle developed by Nazi Germany during World War II. It was intended to improve upon the previous bolt-action Kar98k and to compete with semi-automatic rifles like the Soviet SVT-40 and the American M1 Garand. One of the key features of the G43/K43 was its detachable 10-round box magazine, which allowed for rapid reloading and sustained fire.
Magazine Overview
The 10-round magazine used for the G43/K43 was a detachable sheet-metal box magazine designed to hold 7.92×57mm Mauser cartridges. Unlike earlier German rifles that primarily relied on stripper clips, the G43/K43 magazines provided a more modern, semi-automatic fire capability.
- Material: Stamped sheet steel
- Capacity: 10 rounds
- Cartridge Type: 7.92×57mm Mauser
- Manufacturing Period: 1943–1945
- Markings: Typically marked with wartime production codes (e.g., "gcb," "qlv," "awj") along with Waffenamt (WaA) proof marks
Manufacturing & Markings
Original WWII magazines were produced by various German manufacturers under secret codes to obscure their origins. Some of the common manufacturer codes include:
- gcb – Richard Herder, Solingen
- qlv – Röchling, Germany
- awj – C. G. Haenel, Suhl
Each magazine typically featured stamped markings, including the Waffenamt (WaA) inspection proof, a production date, and sometimes an "Eagle 214" or "Eagle 359" acceptance mark, depending on the factory.
Design Features
- The magazine was double-stack, allowing 10 rounds to be fed into the rifle via a staggered column.
- Made from blued or phosphate-finished steel, it was designed for durability in battlefield conditions.
- Some magazines included reinforced feed lips to prevent warping under heavy use.
- Unlike the M1 Garand, which used en-bloc clips, the G43/K43's detachable magazine allowed for easier field reloading.
Use in Combat
The G43/K43 and its magazines saw action on both the Eastern and Western Fronts. Soldiers could carry multiple loaded magazines or reload them using 5-round stripper clips through the rifle’s receiver guide. Despite its advanced design, issues such as feed malfunctions and fragile magazine retention mechanisms were common.
