Thoughts/Advice on Matching K98 as Investment

[Low Light]

So here's a question I've been kicking around for the last month or so: seems I've caught a bad case of WWII Weapon-itis and I'm seriously considering socking some money away on a matching K98. Question is, there seems to be somewhat of a run-up in prices lately (even on RC's for that matter). Is this a case of "What might happen in November" or is there really a that much of a shortage? Not having had an interest in K98's in November of 2008, was the same thing happening and did prices eventually come back down?

On a related note even though an all-matching would be nice it would be something that I would like to take out and shoot every now and then, is that an absolute no-no with these things? Would I be better off going the RC route, in that case?

Thanks, in advance.

[pitfighter]

Collectable WW2 prices are affected most by two things:
1. The economy changing and people unable to buy so many toys, so the resale prices are hit (as in the class 3 community right now) - this is a fluctuation and the prices will return to normal - (steadily going up.)
2. A huge cache being discovered/imported/put on the market - (This can be devastating, and often the prices can take years to recover, and it is just a risk you take with certain arms.) - Somehow, I don't think we are going to see many more of these from WW2, dealer's are too smart, and there is way too much money in not flooding the market.

There could be more RC K98's - but not so many to affect the price drastically - they will continue to rise in value.
A matching, non import marked wartime or pre war K98 is going nowhere but up in value - just do your research first, and make sure it's not a mix master someone has altered.

As someone wise once said - when collecting old firearms, first collect reference books on them.

Another interesting endeavor is to look through the classifieds in gun magazines, from the 1940's to present day (ebay, fleamarkets), and track the rise in surplus prices - look up individual firearms, and dates, as the decades go by - it is not rocket science, to draw a conclusion.

If you have already done this, forgive my preaching to the choir.

I'll end by saying I buy everything genuine Axis WW2, I can lay my hands on, the only reason it leaves my collection is to trade for higher value items.

I wish I had been around in the 1960's I would have invested in Civil War items, watching what happened to those in the resulting fifty years is mind boggling.

Pit.

[Mustang]

Whether a particular firearm is a "good investment" also depends on buying it right.

If you pay too much for a rifle today, it may be a long time before your investment pays off. Conversely, if you get a good deal on a rifle, it may be a money maker right off the bat.

Watch and learn what rifles go for and what they are worth. Only buy one if it is a "good deal".

[Mustang]

And remember...no matter how good "the story" is about a particular rifle...buy the rifle, not the story.

[Dr.Mauser]

Im honestly not being Mauser sided, but i think its a very good investment, as stated K98s are all but depleted, and finding a true all matching K98 is a real treasure, and if K98 prices continue to trend the way they have been, then it will probably double if not triple in value in the couple of years. Even RC K98s have increased substantially in just the last two years, for example, i bought a heavy shellaced, EP RC K98 completely mismatched in 2009 and paid $250 for it, a rifle in the same condition would most likely go for $350-$400 easily.

[blackfalcon]

If you decide to take the plunge, be sure to read as much as possible and if possible, look at them at gun shows before buying. There are a lot of fakes out there (especially snipers), and if you don't know what to look for, or what markings should be on the rifle, you will never get your money back. Good luck!

[mosinnagantm9130]

Matching K98s are a minefield. It would be a good idea to have a rifle you are interested in looked at by the K98 gurus on gunboards.

[emcon5]

and if K98 prices continue to trend the way they have been, then it will probably double if not triple in value in the couple of years.

I wouldn't make that assumption. Like any thing of this nature, it varies on the economy, and what people are willing to pay. See vintage toys, sports memorabilia, comic books, etc.

It also requires selling the rifles to get you money out, and that isn't something I believe in...

Generally, I think any milsurp is a reasonably safe buy, at this point pretty much anything is going to hold it's value, and probably appreciate a bit, enough to keep pace with inflation anyway.

[SVT-40]

Any quality original firearm purchased at a reasonable price can be a great investment. In 2003 I bought a collection of over 25 Swedish military rifles (M-38 & M-96) and Swedish target rifles (Cg/63's). All were original and in excellent condition I paid an average of $300 per rifle for the collection.

Currently the Cg/63's are worth at least $800.00 each and the M-38's are worth at least $500 the M/96's are worth at least $400.00 each.

One of the M/96 rifles was a armorers rifle and is conservatively worth over $1,500.00


Back in 1995 and 1996 when the Soviet SKS rifles were first imported I bought many original unissued examples from the importer for $145.00 they are now worth at least four to five times what I paid.

As said above before you buy educate yourself and buy the good books related to the rifles your are interested in.

[emcon5]

purchased at a reasonable price

That is the important bit.

[Low Light]

Thanks for all the advice, so far. I am definitely going to be looking at a few guns shows in the coming months. Are out-of-town gun shows (say Arizona, NM, NV) more promising in terms of finding a deal?

I would venture to guess that, for the most part, prices on milsurp trend upward over the long haul.

I mean, I can remember when you could pick up an Enfield at Big 5 for, what, 99.95, maybe 149.95 and seems like even nice matching Enfields are commanding $400-500 these days. I guess you also have to take into account the enjoyment factor in the time you have it. Is shooting something like a matching K98, advisable? I know there are some that wouldn't think of it - but these things were made to be shot.

[ClarenceBoddicker]

RC guns are a bubble. If you want a real investment that will stand the test of time, find a matching number K-98 in mint condition with no import marks. Look closely as the import marks can be on both the receiver or barrel. Some dates & codes will increase in value more than others. Buy one of the collectors reference books. Beware of all the doctored guns with scrubbed or fake markings. An investment gun should never be shot.

[mosinnagantm9130]

Is shooting something like a matching K98, advisable?

I wouldn't. If a part breaks it's not all matching anymore and the value just took a nosedive.

[SVT-40]

RC guns are a bubble. If you want a real investment that will stand the test of time, find a matching number K-98 in mint condition with no import marks. Look closely as the import marks can be on both the receiver or barrel. Some dates & codes will increase in value more than others. Buy one of the collectors reference books. Beware of all the doctored guns with scrubbed or fake markings. An investment gun should never be shot.

I remember after 1986 when the law changed and the re-importation of military surplus firearms was allowed again. The old collectors said the value of the new imports would not even be half that of the older "unmarked" firearms.

That changed when rifles and pistols which had not been seen in any quantity started to flood in.

Now having a import mark barely rates a 10% discount, and many times doesn't matter because import marked guns are all that is available.



Buying reasonably priced RC nice condition K-98 rifles today will prove to be a good investment in five years. Remember when they are gone they are gone and prices will rise. I bought a number of RC's a few years ago with a average price of $240.00 . Since then they have gone up in value at least $100 to $200 each.

You can still find them for sale at shows and on line. But in a few years they too will be long gone and will increase even more.

K-98's will always be one of the most popular rifles to collect, and as such will increase in value.

My rule has been buy in bulk when you can, because in a few years they will be gone. It has always been proved correct.

[Fate]

You're going to have to do some learning. SERIOUS learning or you WILL get burned. The humpers are excellent nowadays. The guys at gunboards.com's forum know their stuff. One even sells a DVD with many legit examples all photographed in extreme detail (I belive its BobinStLouis).

But it's going to require time and effort on your part. If you aren't willing to put in the time, you're gonna get taken. Best of luck in achieving your goal.