Seller Type: WW2C

Seller ID: JMW

Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.

Description:

This original “very rare” original K43 Rifle butt stock field manual. Every rifle was issued with one in the buttstock for soldiers in the field. The manual is oil stained and fairly worn, with delicate pages. All pages are intact and only the front cover page is ripped, but slightly. There are 30 pages. 

• Certified Authentic

History

The Gewehr 43 (G43) / Karabiner 43 (K43) was the standard semi-automatic rifle developed by Nazi Germany during the Second World War, intended to supplement, and eventually replace the bolt-action Kar98k. Issued beginning in 1943, the rifle saw extensive combat service on both the Eastern and Western Fronts. To ensure proper training and maintenance, the Wehrmacht issued official Feldhandbücher (field manuals) to instruct soldiers in its use, cleaning, and care under combat conditions.

Manual Description

• Title: Gewehr 43 / Karabiner 43 Gebrauchsanleitung (Instruction Manual)
• Date of Issue: 1943–1944 (several editions exist depending on production runs)
• Format: Softcover, pocket-sized booklet for field use, typically measuring 5.5 x 8 inches.
• Language: German, printed in Gothic or standard wartime typeface.
• Publisher: Reichsdruckerei (Imperial Printing Office), distributed by the Heereswaffenamt (Army Ordnance Office).
• Illustrations: Detailed line drawings and schematics showing rifle components, disassembly, reassembly, and firing instructions.

Contents of the Manual

1. Introduction to the Rifle
• Designation: Gewehr 43 / Karabiner 43
• Caliber: 7.92x57mm Mauser (8mm)
• Magazine: 10-round detachable box
• Gas-operated, semi-automatic mechanism
2. Parts Identification
• Diagrams labeling barrel, bolt, gas system, trigger assembly, magazine, and sighting system.
3. Operation & Handling
• Loading procedures using both detachable magazine and 5-round stripper clips.
• Proper stance and sight alignment.
• Clearing malfunctions in battlefield conditions.
4. Maintenance & Cleaning
• Step-by-step disassembly for routine cleaning.
• Instructions for care of the gas system and moving parts.
• Use of the standard-issue Waffenfett (weapons grease) to prevent rust.
5. Field Repairs
• Replacing damaged magazines, firing pins, and extractor parts.
• Troubleshooting misfires and cycling issues.
6. Combat Application
• Role of the K43 in infantry squads.
• Comparison with bolt-action Kar98k for rate of fire.
• Emphasis on conserving ammunition and accuracy over rapid fire.
7. Sniper Adaptation
• Instructions for fitting the ZF4 4x scope.
• Adjusting for windage and elevation.
• Use of the K43 as a designated marksman rifle.

Historical Significance

The K43 manual reflected Germany’s attempt to modernize infantry firepower in response to the semi-automatic Soviet SVT-40 and the U.S. M1 Garand. While robust and effective, the K43 was complex and prone to reliability issues if not properly maintained. These manuals were vital in ensuring that frontline soldiers, often with limited training, could operate and maintain their rifles effectively.

Original wartime manuals are highly collectible today, valued both for their rarity and their detailed technical diagrams. Surviving examples often show field wear, soldier’s notes, or unit stamps, making each copy a piece of living history.