German M43 stick grenade dwx44

[Infanteer]

Hi everyone, I have recently acquired this M43 stick grenade and would be interested in opinions. I have no doubt about the head which is interestingly maker marked on the top and bottom with dwx 44. What I’m not so confident on is the handle. When reviewing the images before purchasing, it was evident that it was in better condition and obviously mated with the head at a later time but it appeared original based on the research I was able to do. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until I received the item that I became aware of fakes originating in Latvia with the same maker marks. Is this handle a fake? As for the colour of the wood, it looks like someone may have applied some type of oil.

 

[batonroundcollector]

I have a handle, bought on ebay some years ago (may have come from Latvia actually...) that was listed as original, coming from unfinished factory stock and I have always wondered about authenticity. I will have to dig it out - can't remember the maker stamp - but the wood has a has a rougher finish to it (no effort has been made to artificially 'age' it), and it has a hole horizontally through it near the base which I read was where these were held by a pin etc whilst they were turned. definitely looks the part anyways. whilst I can well imagine people faking and selling parts for the iconic M24 as original, the M43 is lesser known and there does seem to have been a fair bit of work gone into my handle (think I paid around £30 inc post for it) - and one above - so may well be the real thing??

 

[Infanteer]

This handle also has the hole. I don’t believe the hole has anything to do with the turning and shaping process as it just isn’t necessary for that to be accomplished.