Several markings - incised "9289" & German marks on the stock, "ac G43 9289" on the receiver, all serial #s match - leather sling & cartridge. Used 1943-1945 during WWII by German Democratic Republic, designed in 1943 by Walther only produced in 1943-45 with 402,713 being built. The Gewehr 43 or Karabiner 43 is a 7.92×57mm Mauser caliber semi-automatic rifle developed by Germany during World War II. The design was based on that of the earlier G41(W), but incorporating an improved short-stroke piston gas system similar to that of the Soviet Tokarev SVT-40, and it incorporated innovative mass-production techniques.