K98 Soldier take home.

[Sugacookie]

Good Evening-
Had a question about the value of a K98. A buddy reports he has a GI take home K98 from WW2. Rifle is said to have all matching serial numbers and also includes the original cleaning kit removed from the German soldier.
If all is true what would a fair price be. Unfortunately no documentation exists. He is willing to Sell it for $600 bucks.

Thanks For any responses.

[mauser98k]

if, and that is a VERY big if, it is an all matching, unmolested German 98k that's still in original condition, it's a $1000 - $1500 rifle. more if it's a rare code or has unusual stamps

[Sugacookie]

No import marks, Nazi stamp (Im told) If i was to get the serial number is there a website to try and get any history about it?

[mauser98k]

posting pictures here would be the best way to find out about it. no import marks doesn't necessarily mean it's a vet bring back. import marks only appeared in 1968, so rifles imported before then won't have one.

there's no real way to find out an individual 98k's history with serial numbers, unfortunately. any and all files that might tell who it was issued to or where it went were destroyed during or after the war.

if you get the stamps on top of the receiver we can tell you who made it and when.

[Sugacookie]

Thanks Mauser98K!! Ill see if I can snap a photo of it!

[Fate]

Is the stock duffel cut? This is a common indicator of G.I. bringbacks. But without documentation, it's just a story. Still, I'd be all over a matching K98 for six bills.

On the other hand, fakery, renumbering and bogus parts are common these days in K98s. Sometimes a deal too good to be true, is!

[mievil]

...I'd be all over a matching K98 for six bills.

Indeed.

[mauser98k]

also, beware of the ever present Mitchell's Mauser.

they are fakes. that company takes regular Russian Capture 98ks, removes the original serial numbers, re-stamps them to make them all matching, re-blues them, re-stocks (sometimes) them and calls them "original" or "all matching".

the best way to tell a Mitchell's Mauser is by the unnecessarily silver bolt and the serial number on the left side of the butt stock. the Russians and Yugoslavians stamped the stocks there after they were captured and that's a sure sign that it's not a veteran bring back

[Sugacookie]

Ill email him. He has some information about the stamp on the rifle etc. I cant recall what he said. He used to collect war memorabilia when he was a sheriff. Apparently he used to have a lot of C&R rifles from M1's, Various Mausers, Mosins, K98's, STGM44, MP40 (Yes, he regrets selling those he says) etc.
Feel on hard times many years ago and sold off a vast majority of his collection. He is pretty much willing to sell anything but his Mausers. We are going to fish through his gun cabinet this weekend.

[Anchors]

Good Evening-
Had a question about the value of a K98. A buddy reports he has a GI take home K98 from WW2. Rifle is said to have all matching serial numbers and also includes the original cleaning kit removed from the German soldier.
If all is true what would a fair price be. Unfortunately no documentation exists. He is willing to Sell it for $600 bucks.

Thanks For any responses.

Oh yeah.

If the numbers match, who cares about anything else for $600!

The rest would just make it even sweeter.

[Sugacookie]

Ok I dont have pictures yet. But apparently the Bolt Does not match. He still is claiming it was a GI bring back but mentioned that for GI's to bring them back they had to discard the bolts.
The stock in not cut, he states its the original stock (yellow pine??) <-- I think he said, not a laminated stock. |
Im clearly not educated when it comes to C&R rifles... Thanks for all your responses!

[Milsurp Collector]

If it is a bolt mismatch but the bolt matches itself and the rest of the rifle matches itself, and it is in good condition, $600 is still a good price.

[Fate]

What your friend says is true. When the rifles were turned in by the captured Germans, the bolts were stripped out and tossed into a pile. Later, GIs grabbed a rifle and a bolt and shoved them in their gear.

[beerman]

if, and that is a VERY big if, it is an all matching, unmolested German 98k that's still in original condition, it's a $1000 - $1500 rifle. more if it's a rare code or has unusual stamps

Oh my F#%$N God! I've been out of the loop on K98s for a few years. My buddy went thru a divorce about 15 years ago,,He had about 50 original K-98s of different marks. When he left He grabbed a few and threw them in his truck with his clothes.Well....she sold off the 45 that were left for......$1,000
the few he grabbed were Skull head and skull and crossbones SS guns..They paid for his Attorney.Just thought I woud share his sad story ( for valentines weekend)

[mauser98k]

Ok I dont have pictures yet. But apparently the Bolt Does not match. He still is claiming it was a GI bring back but mentioned that for GI's to bring them back they had to discard the bolts.
The stock in not cut, he states its the original stock (yellow pine??) <-- I think he said, not a laminated stock. |
Im clearly not educated when it comes to C&R rifles... Thanks for all your responses!

that is consistent with a veteran bring back.

it will either be a walnut stock or a laminated beech stock. the Germans didn't use pine

What your friend says is true. When the rifles were turned in by the captured Germans, the bolts were stripped out and tossed into a pile. Later, GIs grabbed a rifle and a bolt and shoved them in their gear.

that is correct.