The 43M is a decendant of the pre war Hungarian Mannlicher 35M adopted in 1935 in 8x56, in 1940 the Germans modified the rifle to use the 8mm Mauser round & mauser clip instead of the Mannlicher clip, it also used a German bayonet attachment & German style sling attachments, this rifle was known as the GEW98/40, in 1943 the Hungarians in turn modified the 98/40 by returning to the Hungarian 35M style sling fittings & the Hungarian bayonet attachment for the 35M type bayonet but kept the 8mm Mauser cartridge & mauser style clips. These rifles along w/35M's were in fact utilized by the Hungarian Border troops post war at least as late as 1947. At the end of the album are some pics of the German version, GEW 98/40 for comparison, this rifle was an all matching gun but sadly someone had sporterized it, most of the differences between the 98/40 & 43M are visible though by comparing the pucs of the 2 rifles in the album.
Album by willyp. Photos by willyp. 1 - 46 of 46 Total. 16322 Visits.
43M right w/bayonet mounted View of the Huzagol 35M w/bayonet mounted & showing the scabbard, frog, & sling. There are 2 main variants of the bayonet (which is actually the 35M model as the 43M used the same bayonet), the one shown is usually referred to as "infantry" model, there is no sight mounted on top of the crossring, the "cavalry" model has a sight mounted on top of the crossring as in the M95 mannlicher Stutzen bayonets, there are also bayonets w/quillons & loops on the pommel these are NCO issue.
Right view Here's a view of the rifle w/the bayonet dismounted in the scabbard
Rifle right
Buttstock right side These rifles have a seperate buttstock which attaches to the rear receiver band like the Brit Enfields.
Action right view The rifle utilizes a Mannlicher style turn bolt (seperate bolthead) as in the original 35M but uses a Mauser style magazine & clip as opposed the 35M's extended below the stock Mannlicher mag & en bloc Mannlicher clip, the 98/40 & 43M also chamber the German 7.92x57 (8mm Mauser) rd as opposed the 35M's 8x56.
Floorplate A view of the trigger & floorplate, the rifle's serial number is on the floorplate & stamped on the front of the trigger guard, also the buttplate & bolt (although this particular rifle has a mismatched bolt)
Bolt knob face The underside of the 43M bolt handle showing the fine "checkering"
Forend & band
Nose cap Detail pic of the nose cap/bayonet lug on the 43M, this is the same style as used on the 35M, both take the Hungarian 35M bayonet, the German variant, the GEW98/40 utilized a K98K style band/bayonet bar & used the standard German mauser bayonet.
Front sight band Lower view showing the bayonet guide lug for the 35M bayonet, note also the grooves on the upper side of the front sight, this was for a sight hood, this rifle is missing it's sight hood (as are the majority of them), the sight hoods are very hard to find & are reportedly similiar to but not the same as the German 98K hood.
Muzzle left Full muzzle view showing the band & front sight, slightly better view of the sight hood grooves.
Detail view of bayonet mounted Detail view of the muzzle area w/bayonet mounted, also affording a good look at the complex shape of the pommel, crosspiece & blade of the bayonet.
Bayonet marking Hungarian crest over bayonet serial number.
Bayonet, scabbard, frog
Bayonet, scabbard, frog, obverse
Bayonet blade Cruciform style blade, but as opposed to most other bayonets w/this blade style this is a heavy thick blade.
Bayonet pommel Pic of rear of bayonet, slides over split "cone" on front of front band, also good view of the cutout in upper crosspiece for front sight & bayonet latch/release on left side of crosspiece.
Muzzle, left w/bayonet affixed
Muzzle, w/bayonet, front view
Muzzle detail, left side
Forend, middle band left
Rear sight
Serial no. on left chamber
Barrel/chamber markings Hungarian crest over chamber, serial just visible near woodline left, 7.92 just in front of receiver ring & 43M at rear of chamber.
Hungarian crest Closeup of the Hungarian crest on the barrel (same as crest is on the bayonet)
Action, left side On the Hungarian 35M & 43M the receiver band has a sling loop, I don't believe the GEW98/40 used the loop, they 98/40 used a 98K style cutout in the stock for the attachment of the sling in the rear.
Action, top view View showing the serial on the bolt, some numbers on small parts, bolt release & cocking piece. Also note the "grooves" in the upper parts of the receiver for the Mauser stripper clips, the 35M did not have these as it used an en bloc Mannlicher clip.
Closeup of the receiver ring & sling loop
Buttstock left view As stated earlier this is the Hungarian type buttstock, used on the 35M & 43M, when the Germans appropriated mfg of the 35M in 1940 they modified it to use the Mauser ammo & clip, replaced the Hungarian band w/a German type to use the standard 98K bayonet & used a slot cut in the rear stock (ala 98K) for rear sling attachment, in 1943 the Hungarians in turn took the GEW98/40 model & replaced the German fittings & stock w/the original Hungarian 35M type & the rifle became the 43M!
Buttplate Buttplate serial number location & stamping.
Left view, bayonet affixed
left view of rifle
Bolt Mannlicher style turnbolt, note the bolt is 2 pc, utilizing a seperate bolthead. Many of these rifles when found are missing the extractor/ejector, & in some cases the entire bolthead. When missing these parts are extremely hard to find, & usually quite expensive, so if you're looking at one of these rifles for purchase make sure to check! (very easy to overlook the obvious!)
Bolt from opposite side
Bolt Head Bolt head showing ejector/extractor
Bolt Head
German 98/40 comparison For comparison here's some pics of a German GEW98/40, unfortunately this rifle was sporterized (as many found are) by cutting the front stock & removing the handguard, middle & upper bands. Still some of the identifiable differences between the 98/40 & 43M can be still be seen.
98-40 butt Here showing the German 98K style sling cutout on the German version.
98-40 action Note the 98/40 has hand grip cutouts in the foreend
98-40 action top
98-40 Chamber marking JHV is the Nazi production code for Budapest mfg rifles, 41 is the date of mfg
98-40 action left Note, no sling loop on rear receiver band
98-40 safety
98-40 chamber waffenampts
98-40 butt left
98-40 left side This rifle was actually a completely matching parts gun, too bad someone tried to "improved" it!
