Project Description
!!!!!SOLD!!!!! This is a 1/2 scale Swiss Walther G43 sniper rifle made by master miniature maker Leon Crottet in Switzerland. Mr. Crottet is in my opinion the equal of Raymond Hutchens. I consider Crottet & Hutchens to be the top two miniature makers to ever walk the earth! This piece is just utterly amazing in skill of execution, quality of materials, and attention to the smallest details. The serial number 01, non-cut-a-way mate to this miniature is featured and pictured in Joseph D. Kramer’s book “Scale Model Firearms” on pages 121 – 127, a copy of which will be included with this sale. Leon Crottet typically made five of each miniature model, but not so in the case of this 1/2 scale G43. Only two were made, this cut-a-way, and one that is not a cut-a way, making both one-of-a-kind unique miniature masterpieces. The rifle is 100% fully functional and even though a cut-a-way, is still capable of firing given the proper ammunition. Every detail about this rifle is perfect. The parts that are supposed to be marked are, the parts that are supposed to be hardened are. The rifling has the proper number of lands & grooves, cut to the proper depth & width, and with the proper rate of twist. The rifle is 21 7/8″ long overall with a 10 3/4″ rifled barrel of .154 caliber. The front sight is dovetailed into the pinned front sight ramp and has a hood. The rear of the front sight ramp is serrated. The rear sight is elevation adjustable with the top of the sight ramp finished in the white and shows the proper elevation markings. The metal is finished in a dull blue, with red painted edges to the cut-a-way edges. The hardwood stock has a satin oil finish, with the cut-a-way sections edged in red. The front left of the receiver is marked “winged eagle over 359 proof mark, G43 winged eagle proof mark, 1002f ec”. The left rear of the bolt shroud is marked 1002f, the top just to the right of the operating handle marked with a winged eagle over 359 proof mark. There is a number “2” stamped into the right side of the receiver as you look down into the magazine well. The rear of the receiver is marked “002 with a winged eagle over 359 proof mark”. There is a winged eagle over 359 proof mark on the right front of the receiver. The top front of the bolt is marked with “two winged eagles with the number 359 in between”. The bottom of the rear sight marked with a winged eagle over 359 proof mark. Most parts are machined steel with the exceptions of the triggerguard/floorplate, buttplate, buttplate trap door, and magazine. The left bottom of the magazines are marked “gcb, a winged eagle over WaA892, K43. The bottom of the magazine release is serrated. There is a cleaning rod under the barrel that unscrews to remove. Included is a fully functional scope with quick release mount. The left side of the scope marked “Gw ZF4, 66008, ddx. and a blue outlined triangle”. The right side of the scope marked with a white outlined triangle to the rear of the turret. The cross hairs are three post at 90, 180, & 270 degrees. This is the only functional miniature telescopic sight I have ever seen or heard of, and reportedly, it took over 1 1/2 years to make, with engineering assistance from some university in Switzerland to get the lenses and turrets to work properly. Accessories include two stripper clips of 1/2 scale dummy ammunition, one of dummy red wood bullet blank ammunition, and one of red plastic action proving dummy ammunition with steel heads. None of the ammunition is headstamped. The brass cases for the dummies are drawn from a sheet of brass just like at the major ammunition factories, not turned on a lathe. This is a very time consuming and expensive involving making multiple die sets for the many steps in making the cases. Also included is what I think is the grenade launcher muzzle adapter that is marked “winged eagle proof mark, P.P.G, G43”, a spare cut-a-way magazine, and the proper leather sling. Also includes 1 original Crottet live round of ammunition which is loose! All of the above cased in the original Crottet black leatherette luggage type casing with two key locks and carry handle. The interior is part English & part French fit & lined with a dark green felt. The interior lid is padded to properly hold everything in place. There is a rectangular brass plaque mounted on the interior bottom with the “Walther logo, G43, Selbstladegewehr im Masstab 1:2, Nr 2/2, an underline, Leon Crottet, Wiezikon/Schweiz” in green print. The back interior of the case with a black with white print rectangular tag marked “F. VONAESCH AG, ETUISFABRIK LENZBURG”. The rifle, scope, and accessories are all in mint new condition. The case shows some handling marks, and the right side of the right latch is loose. This is the very first Leon Crottet miniature I have ever had the pleasure to offer in over 25 years in the miniature firearms business. This piece originally sold for over 37,000 Swiss Francs, that is $37,740.00 U.S. dollars!!! A beautiful absolutely museum quality once in a lifetime opportunity to own an example of one of this top maker’s finest & rarest works!!! Stock # BD-2. !!!!!SOLD!!!!!
N HOLD!!!!!
