7.92x57mm. 21.5" barrel. SN: 7645. Blued finish with bright cup style buttplate and magazine in laminated wood semi-pistol grip stock with black synthetic upper handguard. Gas trap piston driven semi-automatic rifle fed by an internal magazine charged with stripper clips. Left receiver struck with the maker mark ac/43 and model marking G.41, indicating it was made by Walther in 1943. Muzzle cap is numbered 3862, and the firing pin is force matched, but all other serial numbers are matching. Item shows {Reichsadler} view marks on bolt with {Eagle/359} waffenamt marks to all matching components. Upper handguard shows original mold markings. Comes with a period leather sling. 

Though Germany had experimented with self loading rifles multiple times prior to World War II, it possessed no designs suitable for mass production by the time the war began. Beginning in 1940, the Army approved a competitive contract for semi-automatic rifles, for which this firearm was designed. The requirements were stringent, insisting that the rifle could not use a gas port, and had to function as a conventional bolt-action in the event the action failed. Walther's submission avoided a gas tap by using a gas trap mechanism, but failed to meet the Army's demands concerning configuration. The competing design from Mauser more closely resembled the original requirements, but its poor performance and reliability compared to Walther's submission soon resulted in the G.41 being approved for production. It is estimated that as many as 120,000 G.41 rifles were produced before the improved G.43 replaced it, with the rifles retained in service throughout World War II. {C&R}

Good. Bore is Bright with crisp rifling throughout. Metal finish shows a mottled brown patina on barrel and gas trap with stronger blue on the receiver and internals. Gray to brown mottling on the magazine and buttplate. Brown spots forming to all metal parts. Scattered light scratches and abrasions. Stock has been sanded and shows some handling wear and dents. Sling with some pinpoint mold discolorations, stains, and cracking.