This is a unique example of an original, semi-automatic Walther experimental/prototype self-loading gas operated rifle serial number "3". This "predecessor" model was developed by the Walther factory prior to the German Ordnance Ministry evaluating both the Walther Mkb.42(W) and the C. G. Haenel Mk.42(H) assault rifles(and was used by designers of the aforementioned MKB42(w)). Both used the early stamped sheetmetal designs with the Haenel design being later developed into the MP43/44 assault rifles. The Walther factory evidently went on to also develop a self-loading sheetmetal rifle, only chambered for the powerful 7.92 mm Mauser cartridge. This design is very unique in that it is comprised to 2-3 different sections that were riveted/pinned together. The front section is very similar to the Mkb.42(W) with an extruded barrel jacket, which is keyed into the integral front sight base/bayonet lug assembly that was held on by the muzzle nut. The rear half of the receiver is also a stamped sheet metal housing which covers the rear half of the rifle, which is riveted onto the stamped sheetmetal trigger guard and box magazine. The buttstock is also very unique in that is hollowed out inside and it attached to the rear of the receiver via a through bolt type arrangement, where the attaching mechanism is inserted into the rear of the buttstock and then screwed onto the rear of the receiver. The large hole in the buttstock is covered by the stamped sheetmetal buttplate. Internally the front and rear halves of the rifle are joined to a machined internal receiver that acts as the rear barrel trunnion/locking lugs and rear support for the sheetmetal receiver. This piece was the real key to this design as it is one of the very few all machined and critical parts on the weapon. The other real interesting feature is that inside the upper receiver it has a sliding sheetmetal bolt carrier to which the actual machined bolt body has been riveted or spot weld to. This sheetmetal bolt carrier extends from the larger bulbous middle section of the barrel jacket to the rear of the receiver opening, approximately 12 inches long. It does not have a hold open device and has a stamped sheetmetal safety lever on the right side. As noted in the pictures, it is obvious that the Walther factory was experimenting with an early detachable box magazine. This magazine design would eventually evolve into the standard box magazines for the G/K43 series of rifles. It has a standard blade front sight dovetailed into the front sight base with a machined rear sight base pinned on to the top of the center section of the rifle. The rear sight base is fitted with a standard G/K 43 rear sight tangent graduated from 100-1200 meters. The only markings on the entire rifle are on the left side of the upper receiver which are: "Waffenfabrik Zella-Mehlis/WALTHER" (inside the traditional banner logo) followed by No.3." and the left side of the buttstock which is stamped with: "GEW: 4,350 KG/LANGE: 1120" (indicating weight and length), both would indicate to this describer that this was strictly a prototype/trials rifle intended to prove out a sheetmetal design, which had to meet specific German Army field requirements for weight and length. A similar example is photographed on page 134 of Walther Pistols and Rifles by W. H. B Smith. Another example is on page 236 and 237 of Walther, A German Legend by Manfred Kersten. He identifies this example as an A115.