Gewehr 43 (G43/K43) Sniper
Carl Walther GmbH · Sniper Rifle · Out Of Production · 1943
Also known as: G43 Sniper, K43 Sniper, Gew 43 mit ZF4, Karabiner 43 Scharfschützengewehr, Gewehr 43/1
Overview
The Gewehr 43 sniper variant was the primary German semi-automatic sniper rifle of the later stages of World War II, fitted with the ZF 4 (Zielfernrohr 4) 4x magnification telescopic sight. Designed by Walther and heavily influenced by the Soviet SVT-40's gas system, the G43 gave German designated marksmen a semi-automatic capability that the bolt-action K98k could not provide. Approximately 53,435 scoped sniper variants were produced out of a total of 402,713 G43/K43 rifles manufactured, serving primarily on the Eastern Front where rapid follow-up shots against Soviet infantry were essential.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4400 g (155.2 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4700 g (165.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1115 mm (43.90") |
| Barrel Length | 546 mm (21.50") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 746 m/s (2448 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3560 J (2626 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1200 m (1312 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.92x57mm Mauser · primary — also known as 8mm Mauser, 8x57mm IS, 7.92x57mm IS, 8mm Mauser JS
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Stripper Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Cross Bolt Safety
- Features: Zf4 4x Telescopic Sight, Semi Automatic Action, Detachable Magazine, Gas Operated Short Stroke Piston, Iron Sights Retained
Variants
- Gewehr 43 (Standard) — Standard Infantry
- Karabiner 43 (K43) — Redesignation
Service history
Operators
- Wehrmacht · adopted 1943 · as Gewehr 43 mit Zielfernrohr
- Waffen-SS · adopted 1943 · as G43 Scharfschützengewehr
Conflicts
- World War II (Eastern Front) (1943-1945)
- World War II (Western Front) (1944-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 53,435 · Production years: 1943-1945
Approximately 53,435 scoped sniper variants produced out of 402,713 total G43/K43 rifles. Manufactured by Walther (code 'ac') and Berlin-Lübecker Maschinenfabrik (code 'duv').
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Carl Walther GmbH
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
The G43 was renamed K43 (Karabiner 43) in 1944, though the weapon itself was identical. The gas system was a short-stroke piston design copied from the Soviet SVT-40 after German engineers studied captured examples. The ZF 4 scope was itself based on the Soviet PU scope design. While the semi-automatic action provided a higher rate of fire than the K98k, accuracy was generally considered inferior to the bolt-action rifle for precision sniping. The rifle could also be loaded using two standard 5-round stripper clips through the top of the receiver with the scope mounted.
Background
The G43 sniper was born of necessity after German forces on the Eastern Front found themselves outgunned by Soviet snipers equipped with semi-automatic SVT-40 rifles. Ironically, the G43's gas system was a direct copy of the SVT-40 it was designed to counter. German snipers valued the semi-automatic capability for engaging multiple targets in rapid succession, though many still preferred the K98k for long-range precision work.