German G43 Cleaning Info Needed

[albayo]

I have a friend that has a K43 in beautiful condition but wants to clean it up possibly for future sale. He would like to take it apart and clean it so as to protect it from rust.
It has a great bore and the stock has German proof marks.
If anyone has a good site with info on how to properly clean a K43 let me know.

 

[steve1973]

This should help:

http://www.gunsofthereich.com/

 

[Coyote Ugly]

The most important thing to remember when taking down the bolt is to wear safety glasses as the bolt assembly has the potential to fly across the room.
Also note the oriention of the left and right lugs as each is different.
Don't force anything. Dont sand the wood or clean it-no chemicals, nothing. Only use Howards Feed 'n Wax lightly.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

The G43 is a combination of stampings, cast and machinings. The stock is laminated beech, and the handguard is likely a rigid synthetic like but not fibreglas. Its care and cleaning will be on a variety of surfaces.

 

[C96]

Steve 1973 gave you a good site link on these dragons.
Coyote Ugly also reminds those of you that have never striped down one of these to watch the bolt assembly because if you remove it and it does fly apart you may find yourself looking for the locking lugs under your work bench or behind the furnace.
If you are going to keep it and shoot it, replace the springs (3) install a shooters kit (1). Check the bolt cover for any cracks especially if it is late war.(correction, any of these regardless of age and condition)
Check both the left and right locking lugs, firing pin assembly for any abnormal wear and cracks. Do not remove the extractor from the bolt if you do not need to. If you loose the little spring or extractor screw these two parts are hard to find and will be expensive to replace. Same goes for the safety spring. Cover all the metal fire control components with a good quality gun oil, use a little gun grease on the bolt cover rails. If you really want to clean up the stock or remove a non original finish, you can pm for a recipe and procedure that I use when restoring G/K 43's and K98ks. I would be happy to send it to you or any other member that is interested.
Good luck with the rifle, you will enjoy it. If not sell it to me!

c96

 

[Coyote Ugly]

I have a friend that has a K43 in beautiful condition but wants to clean it up possibly for future sale. He would like to take it apart and clean it so as to protect it from rust.
It has a great bore and the stock has German proof marks.
If anyone has a good site with info on how to properly clean a K43 let me know.

More rifles have been F****d up due to improper techniques and cleaning as well as not knowing #### Twist about the rifle.
Shiney and Pretty just knock down the value. So does Vise Grips, Bench Vise, Hammer....
IE: Cleaning with Alcohol, Easy Off, 1000 coats of BLO,.....
If it has 50 years of dust on it, leave it that way. All collectors prefer it like that.

 

[RobSmith]

I have only ever seen ONE of those in the flesh, but from the posts above, it sounds like one of those "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" types of firearms.

 

[albayo]

K 34 Cleanup

I found some info on cleaning the K43. I think I will just lube some of the parts and give it back to him.
It's in really great condition as you can see n the pictures.

 

[Coyote Ugly]

Is there an X stamped on the Receiver and is the Butt Plate Blued?

 

[C96]

Looks like it has been re blued. The butt plate should be metal no bluing.
Remove the butt plate, it should have red oxide paint on it and nothing else!
The stock looks like the Russians or East Germans got a hold of her.(looks like eastern varnish)
If you want to restore it, refer to my recipe on stock restoration on k98's and G/K43's.
You're missing a cleaning rod too.(got extras)
What year and maker is it if you don't mind me asking?
In so far as screwing it up....... too late.
If you want to restore it properly, I think we can save her!
"Dammit Jim I'm a doctor not a brick layer"

c96

 

[skirsons]

Only use Howards Feed 'n Wax lightly.

I used that product quite regularly until I read the ingredients list. It seems OK until you find out that it has Petroleum Distillate in it. It is not a good idea to use PD on wood surfaces. It is a filler that is in many wood products that dulls and dries out the surface of the wood so that you apply wax more frequently. You don't want to put any of this crap on anything valuable.

It says beeswax and carnuba on the bottle, but it's just a marketing scam with a bunch of filler added. Also note that wood is dead and does not need to be "fed."

 

[albayo]

G43/K43 Info

I did some checking and the G43 was renamed K43 in April 1944 to K43.
The guns were manufactured with a few changes to accelerate production. Machining was simplified, cleaning rod was eliminated, some rifles lacked the hold-open, and others had an additional bolt guide rib. (Information found in Rifles of the World, Second Edition, Page 220)

I think he will not try to restore it by stripping it. It would be better left alone as it was probably refurbished by the East Germans or the Czech governments.
There are a few stamps on the receiver with what looks like eagles not like the Natzi type with wings spread horizontally. These point up in the air with feathers looks like a wreath.

The owner thinks he will sell it, he is interested in putting a value on it at the moment.

 

[Coyote Ugly]

I used that product quite regularly until I read the ingredients list. It seems OK until you find out that it has Petroleum Distillate in it. It is not a good idea to use PD on wood surfaces. It is a filler that is in many wood products that dulls and dries out the surface of the wood so that you apply wax more frequently. You don't want to put any of this crap on anything valuable.

It says beeswax and carnuba on the bottle, but it's just a marketing scam with a bunch of filler added. Also note that wood is dead and does not need to be "fed."

Maybe you should voice your "Expert" Opinion to K98 Gunboards and see how you make out, but just so you know that's all that's being used on the Best K98 Collections out there, and we arn't talking $200 RC and Bubb-Bubbed-Bubba Enfields.

There are Edible Food Grade Grades of Petroleum Distillates (Yes a Petroleum Distillate you can Eat) and Pecard's Antique Leather Treatment has that in it. Also Excellent for slings when applied lightly. Know how to read your labels by talking directly to the manufacturer. By law they have to mention the Petroleum Distillate for the MSDS.

The keyword is to use lightly, not 1000 coats of BLO...

 

[Skippy]

Looks like you've had most of your answers, only thing left to do is to put me at the very top of the list when you start pm-ing people with it for sale....

Seriously....