First K98. How did i do?

[gt.rn]

Purchased this Bcd 43 from a senior member over on K98kforums. For my first k98 i really wanted one i could enjoy shooting as well as appreciating so this is not all-matching.

I was told that the "firing pin group" (not familiar with this terminology on these rifles) was unmatched and likely dropped in after taking a shrapnel or bullet strike. As such the bolt shroud, bolt stop, safety, and cocking piece are mismatched but match each other. Additionally the barrel markings don't appear to match the rifle either but i'm not familiar with what kind of a stamp it is.

The rifle appears very clean, bluing is quite decent, and the bore is immaculately mirrored. There does appear to be quite a bit of splotchy discoloration but i was told its not pitting or rust of any kind but merely a product of dried blood from use. If anyone can help determine the veracity of that based on pics i'd appreciate it.

I can definitely see why people collect these rifles as it feels like the most quality and aesthetically pleasing bolt action rifle in my relatively large collection. It also came with an authentic sling with crosshatching still largely intact. All in all very happy with the rifle but not sure how i did in terms of value as i paid $1200 for it shipped with sling which definitely seems a bit high for a shooter when i probably could've probably spent a couple hundred extra for a matching example. Love to hear all opinions, particularly from the k98 collectors in here. Thanks!

Pics here:

http://imgur.com/a/FehDv

[Gutter]

Factory codes aside, that does seem like an awful lot for a mismatched K98. You probably would have been better off with an RC if you were looking to consistently shoot it.

[Milsurp Collector]

Additionally the barrel markings don't appear to match the rifle either but i'm not familiar with what kind of a stamp it is.

The numbers on the barrel are a barrel code showing the manufacturer and lot number for the barrel.

Very nice honest K98k. One advantage of a mostly-matching K98k like yours is that it is far less likely to have been faked than an "all-matching" K98k, so you can buy with confidence. It is far more desirable than any RC K98k in my opinion, and you can shoot it without fear of breaking a numbered part on an "all matching" rifle. The price is slightly high but not unreasonably so. The original sling adds value. For a first K98k I think you did well.

The areas of finish loss suggest "blood pitting". Whether the finish loss was actually caused by blood or some other substance on that particular rifle will never be known.

[gt.rn]

The numbers on the barrel are a barrel code showing the manufacturer and lot number for the barrel.

Very nice honest K98k. One advantage of a mostly-matching K98k like yours is that it is far less likely to have been faked than an "all-matching" K98k, so you can buy with confidence. It is far more desirable than any RC K98k in my opinion, and you can shoot it without fear of breaking a numbered part on an "all matching" rifle. The price is slightly high but not unreasonably so. The original sling adds value. For a first K98k I think you did well.

The areas of finish loss suggest "blood pitting". Whether the finish loss was actually caused by blood or some other substance on that particular rifle will never be known.

Thanks man for that thorough analysis. Nice to hear i ended up pretty much with exactly what i was looking for. And yeah i did just learn that the barrel numbers were actually meant to denote the steel manufacturer which was a totally normal thing on the bcd 43s. Really very happy with it all in all

[mosinnagantm9130]

Not up with current values on non-RC K98s, but I don't think I'd kick it out of the safe.

[triplestack3]

IDK if I would have spent as much as much as you did, but that's purely subjective. Objectively, very nice bore, cool that the sling is original, and overall a nice looking 98k.

[Discogodfather]

It's a high price for a partial match and a Gustloff rifle, but like Milsurp said it seems like an honest rifle. This is exactly the kind of rifle that is usually humped to be all matching, in fact it's the perfect candidate for an unscrupulous person. No duffle cut is nice, but it makes the scrutiny on the stock all that much more important.

I'd definitely show this on the K98k forum, experts there can tell you much more. Verifying that the stock is original is big, and also the firing pin and bolt small parts beyond the shroud, cocking piece, and selector. Chances are the firing pin is not matching either.

[Rogerbutthead]

Even if you did pay too much, those rifles only go up in price.

I haven't been paying attention to prices lately, so 1200 does surprise me. Thought mismatched were going for a few hundred over RCs. No idea what RCs go for now.

[Milsurp Collector]

No idea what RCs go for now.

They have gone up.

$720 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/601260145
$820 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/612801133
$630 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/612398797
$480 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/605146533
$675 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/600270146
$665 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/602245306
$566 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/610564124

Even a freakin' Mitchell's Mauser went for $820 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/604136732

The days of the $279.95 Russian Capture K98k are long gone.

Rather than comparing the price of a mostly matching-matching K98k to an RC, they usually run about half the price of a legit all-matching K98k. The all-matching K98k's are currently around $2000, so a mostly-matching one should be around $1000. The OP's rifle has a matching bolt body so that's a plus, and has an original sling and has the cleaning rod (more pluses), the metal condition is above average except for the areas of "blood pitting", and with shipping he might be ~ $100-150 high, but that's not bad. Good purchase for a first (or only) K98k. Better than an RC for collector value and better than blowing money on a fake "all-matching" K98k.

[gt.rn]

They have gone up.

$720 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/601260145
$820 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/612801133
$630 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/612398797
$480 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/605146533
$675 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/600270146
$665 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/602245306
$566 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/610564124

Even a freakin' Mitchell's Mauser went for $820 http://www.gunbroker.com/item/604136732

The days of the $279.95 Russian Capture K98k are long gone.

Rather than comparing the price of a mostly matching-matching K98k to an RC, they usually run about half the price of a legit all-matching K98k. The all-matching K98k's are currently around $2000, so a mostly-matching one should be around $1000. The OP's rifle has a matching bolt body so that's a plus, and has an original sling and has the cleaning rod (more pluses), the metal condition is above average except for the areas of "blood pitting", and with shipping he might be ~ $100-150 high, but that's not bad. Good purchase for a first (or only) K98k. Better than an RC for collector value and better than blowing money on a fake "all-matching" K98k.

Yeah I've routinely seen RCs go for 600-800 lately but the one that really surprises me is that Mitchell's! I almost bought one myself in "excellent condition" (something of a misnomer) for $250 back when i knew nothing about them. Hard to believe you can conceivably make a healthy profit throwing them up on GB.

[TRAP55]

The "ch" barrel code - Fabrique Nationale d'armes de Guerre S.A., Herstal, Belgium

[Enfield47]

I had no idea how much the K98s have increased in price. It looks like an honest rifle and should make for a nice shooter.