The Gewehr 43 or Karabiner 43 (G43, K43, Gew 43, Kar 43) is a 7.92x57mm
Mauser caliber semi-automatic rifle developed by Nazi
Germany during World
War II. It was a modification of the G41(W) using an improved gas system
somewhat similar to that of the Soviet Tokarev
SVT40.
In 1943 Walther introduced a new modified gas system with aspects of the
G41(W) providing greatly improved performance. It was accepted and entered into
service as the Gewehr 43, renamed Karabiner 43 in 1944, with production
amounting to just over 400,000. The Gewehr 43/Karabiner 43 joined the ranks of
the Tokarev and Garand as general issue semi-automatic rifles during the war. |