Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

World at War Gewehr 43

RiflesUnlocked at Level 7No weapon camos
RiflesGewehr 43 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008) weapon render

How do you unlock the Gewehr 43?

The Gewehr 43 unlocks at Level 7 in Call of Duty: World at War (2008). Its ten-round magazine and low recoil support controlled medium- to long-range shots, while four attachment paths let it shift between stealth, clearer sights, magnification and rifle-grenade utility. That flexibility is the main reason to choose it over the starting SVT-40. World at War multiplayer has no selectable weapon camos; Expert headshot challenges award XP only.

UnlockLevel 7
Weapon camosNot in this game

Reviewed July 26, 2026. Weapon ranks and Marksman requirements were checked against original World at War multiplayer rank and challenge tables plus contemporaneous platform guides; historical models were cross-checked against museum and firearm-reference records. Loadout advice is editorial. Multiplayer only — not Campaign, Zombies, Call of Duty: WWII (2017), or later games.

Sources: Official World at War manual · Prima official game guide sample · Contemporaneous multiplayer guide · World at War challenge reference · Weapon camouflage reference

How does the Gewehr 43 play in World at War?

RoleFlexible semi-automatic rifle
Real-world basisGerman Gewehr 43 self-loading rifle
StrengthsFour attachment choices cover more roles than the SVT-40; Low recoil keeps follow-up shots readable
TradeoffsStill loses forgiveness to full-auto weapons in tight fights; Rifle Grenade uses the Perk 1 slot
AttachmentsSuppressor — 25 kills; Aperture Sight — 75 kills; Telescopic Sight — 100 kills; Rifle Grenade — 150 kills; Suppressor suits flanking classes, while Aperture or Telescopic Sight is better for clean lane control
Challenge noteExpert I-III use 25, 75 and 150 headshots for 100, 500 and 1,000 XP. They unlock no weapon camo.
Use tipPick the attachment for the route you intend to hold; the rifle is most effective when the class has one clear job.
Compared withIt trades the SVT-40's immediate availability for a broader attachment set and a Rifle Grenade option.

No multiplayer weapon camos — Expert headshot challenges award XP, not skins. See the camo, perk and Pack-a-Punch distinctions.

Read the camo explainer

Gewehr 43 — common questions

What level does the Gewehr 43 unlock at in World at War?

The Gewehr 43 unlocks at Level 7 in Call of Duty: World at War (2008) multiplayer. The level cap is 65, and prestige is up to 10 on all main multiplayer platforms.

Does the Gewehr 43 take camos?

No — the Gewehr 43 cannot equip weapon camouflage in Call of Duty: World at War (2008). Its Marksman kill challenges unlock attachments, while Expert headshot challenges award XP only.

Can you unlock the Gewehr 43 for me?

Yes — our World at War Unlock All service covers prestige 1-10, max level 65, every weapon, attachment, perk and challenge unlocked, plus colored classes (Xbox 360), from $9.99. See the service.

More Rifles

All Call of Duty: World at War (2008) weapons →
SVT-40 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)SVT-40Level 1 · RiflesM1 Garand — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)M1 GarandLevel 17 · RiflesSTG-44 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)STG-44Level 37 · RiflesM1A1 Carbine — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)M1A1 CarbineLevel 65 · Rifles

Skip the grind

Our World at War Unlock All service includes prestige 1-10, max level 65, every weapon, attachment, perk and challenge unlocked, plus colored classes (Xbox 360), from $9.99.

See World at War servicesSee exact inclusions on the service page