Page 300 - 83-BOOK3

LOT 3588 World War II German Berlin-Lubecker “duv 43” Code G41 Semi-Automatic Rifle - Serial no. 7266/r, 8 mm cal., 22 inch round
bbl., blue finish, laminate stock. Manufactured in 1943 before the introduction of the G43 rifle, the G41 was one of the only production model semi- automatic rifles to use the “gas trap” system, as opposed to the gas port used on the G43, which has become the de-facto standard for gas-operated weaponry from World War II up through the modern day. The barrel has the standard blade front and tangent rear sights, the model and manufacturer markings on the left side of the finely machined receiver, machined metal dust cover, and a machined bolt carrier with a solid cocking knob, and a left side mounted bolt catch. A set of scope rails are integrally machined into the receiver around the rear sight. Fitted with a smooth laminated pistol grip stock, with a double “eagle/Waffenamt” proof on the right side, resin handguard and a cupped stamped steel buttplate. It has matching external numbers, including on the gas system and the buttstock. Cleaning rod absent. CONDITION: Fine, with 60% of the original blue finish, showing a mixed brown and gray patina on the gas system and trigger guard, cycling wear on the bolt carrier and dust cover, and mild handling marks overall. The lightly sanded, matching stock is very good, with visible markings, mild dings, scuffs and stains. The magazine hold-open has been disabled, otherwise mechanically functions fine. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3589
Steyr “bnz/43” Kriegsmodell 98k Bolt Action Rifle, with Vietnam War Trophy Documentation and Capture Narrative - Serial no. 9510b, 8 mm cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, laminate stock. Manufactured by Steyr-Daimler during World War II, this rifle bears an “X” arsenal applied strike mark above the standard “bnz/43” receiver markings and mixed parts numbers, both typically associated with weapons that fell into Soviet hands during and after World War II. Many weapons so captured, rendered obsolete by the adoption of the SKS and AK-47 rifles, were pieced out to other nations as military assistance. The included war trophy registration forms document this rifle by serial number (sans suffix) to then-Captain Roger C. Bultman of Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry on July 7, 1969, operating in the area of Tay Ninh. A handwritten narrative signed by Bultman describes the circumstances of the capture; while on patrol (date and region unspecified) and leading his unit, Bultman was shot directly in his M1 “steel pot” helmet by an ambusher posted up in a tree. Bultman came away from the encounter with a headache, a dented helmet, and this rifle, while his ambusher was promptly killed by return fire. Blade and notch sights, with the aforementioned receiver markings, a matching number added with electric pencil on top of the bolt body, “93” on the side of the stock, and a tan nylon sling. CONDITION: Very good, with 60% of the dull arsenal refurbished blue finish, showing heavy pitting on the buttplate, light spotting elsewhere, and mild handling marks. The stock is good, with an oversize buttplate and some light dents and scuffs. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3590
World War II Berlin-Lubecker “duv 44” Code G43 Semi-Automatic Rifle - Serial no. 2575g, 8 mm cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue finish, laminate stock. Hooded blade front and tangent rear sights, with the standard markings on the left side of the receiver. Both the receiver and bolt carrier are rough forged, with the manual catch on the right side of the carrier and a hollow cocking knob on the left, and matching numbers on the frame, bolt carrier, and electro-penciled into the extractor and the dust cover. Fitted with a smooth mixed numbered stock with a resin upper handguard, leather sling, and a cupped trapdoor
buttplate. Two extra magazines arsenal refurbished are included. CONDITION: Very fine, with 75% of the original blue finish, showing some bright handling/cycling wear, areas of brown and gray patina, and mild handling marks. The stock is also very fine, with stains. The handguard is lightly scuffed overall and has some cracks. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3591 Excellent Military Proofed Erma 98 Rifle .22 LR Conversion Unit with War Trophy Marked Case - Serial no. 3553f, 22 LR cal., 26 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/bright finish. Manufactured by Erma, these conversion kits allow a standard K98 rifle to be rapidly reconfigured to a .22 caliber repeater for inexpensive training. This particular example is inspection proofed by the Waffenamt for use by the Wehrmacht. One simply removes the original bolt and floor plate, inserts the Erma receiver/barrel sleeve assembly into the 98k receiver, and installs the included magazine well. The “eagle/77”, “eagle/280” and “eagle/swastika” proofs are present on multiple components. Matching numbers are present on the receiver, bolt, sleeve and magazine well, which is also dated “1938”. The two included Erma marked magazines are dated “1937” and “1938”, and a small steel tool is included. The entire lot fits in a well cut transport case, which has been pencil marked from a Sergeant A. Noblett of Battery C, 250th Field Artillery Battalion (via New York City) to Mrs. J. Noblett of Detroit, Michigan. No history on the Nobletts was provided, though it would be in character for a GI to send a war trophy back to the homestead when the opportunity emerged. CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% of the blue finish, showing some light handling marks, a bit of wear from contact with a host rifle, and minor wear visible on the bolt handle. The bright barrel insert shows a mixed gray patina with minor spotting. The case is fine, with minor exterior dents and scratches appropriate to age and travel, the interior is exceptional. The item has not been tested in a host rifle, but appears mechanically excellent. One will have difficulty in obtaining a finer example. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
298