Mauser 98K Valuation Help!

[whatwhy]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at getting a Mauser 98K. I have no idea what the value of these things are.

My only considerations are:
-It shoots safely
-It has German waffenamts
-It's a WWII rifle, Russian Capture

I found a rifle locally and was wondering what it is worth in your opinions, according to the seller, I have no idea how significant these are or what they do to value:

-1937
-Russian Capture
-Original Manufacture - Mauser Oberndorf facility (firing pin is stamped with Mauser factory firing proof)
-Eagles, swastikas, waffenamts present and crisp (trigger guard and cocking piece have serial and markings ground off)
-Import mark under rear sight base on the left
-Stock sanded and varnished as per Russian Capture, seller removed the varnish and found some stamps but not very crisp
-Numbers not matching but parts supposedly all original WW2

Pictures are here: http://imgur.com/a/92RTN

What do you guys think? He is asking $580 picked up locally.

Thanks in advance everyone! It comes with a box of ammo, not sure if that's important. I have no idea how hard it is to find 8mm Mauser either, if anyone has insight into this, it'd be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Emdawg]

$400 or so.


The price tag of $580 is high.

[mosinnagantm9130]

Way high.

$400 is more realistic.

8mm isn't hard to find, but it can be pricey if you don't reload.

edit to add: The rifle itself looks like a nice one, but $580 is too much.

[big103]

Yeah $400 is max on most rc`s.

[Armistice]

I paid $550 for mine. Matching lammy stock, typical missing RC parts/ non matching, proof marks not peened

Usually, RC have the proofs peened out, so if they're still there, I'd say that's better and adds value. $580 is a little high

[Milsurp Collector]

$580 might be a little high now but not in a couple of years. Prices have been going up. I used to see RC K98k's at gun shows all the time a couple of years ago, but not now, so they are a little harder to find.

[whatwhy]

Thanks guys, I have a feeling he won't let it for for $400...should I pass on it and just go to the next gun show and try my luck?

If I got a serial from him, where would I look to see its history?

[Armistice]

Thanks guys, I have a feeling he won't let it for for $400...should I pass on it and just go to the next gun show and try my luck?

If I got a serial from him, where would I look to see its history?

Serials aren't logged for each battle. All you can go off is what date is was made and that's about it

It would be cool if the soldier was linked to the SN and you could trace the battles that person, thus the rifle, were in, but wasn't necessary to trace that kind of thing

As for price, offer him $450 and see what he'll do (only do this in person. If it's over email or texts, the guy may just tell you to kick rocks)

[whatwhy]

Serials aren't logged for each battle. All you can go off is what date is was made and that's about it

It would be cool if the soldier was linked to the SN and you could trace the battles that person, thus the rifle, were in, but wasn't necessary to trace that kind of thing

As for price, offer him $450 and see what he'll do (only do this in person. If it's over email or texts, the guy may just tell you to kick rocks)

Thanks for the advice, I definitely wanna see it before I get it.

I have one more slight confusion here regarding C&R rifles...someone correct me if I am wrong but, if he has a C&R license, then I can just cash & carry the rifle as long as it is legal for me to own a firearm in CA, correct? Or do I need a C&R license as well? I keep reading somewhat vague mentions of if the rifle is over 50 years old, then it can be freely traded, C&R license or not. Should I be making sure he has a C&R license?

[Enfield47]

You are able to buy it FTF without having a FFL03 license. FTF goes away 1/1/14 and you will have to DROS all rifle purchases no matter if they are C&R or not.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

As long as you are both California residents over 18 years of age then neither party needs a C&R FFL to do a cash and carry paperless transfer before the end of the year on a 50+ year old C&R long gun.

[whatwhy]

Thanks guys, I emailed the guy and he's under the impression that we need to DROS it...any ideas what I should do? Seems sketchy if I tell him "don't worry it's fine, just give it to me". He is offering to pay for the $25 DROS fee but he's assuming I'm gonna pay $580 asking price too. Maybe I should just pass on this...he said the rifle is "registered" to him because he bought it from a store, so we have to DROS it.

[Syntax Error]

Just quote him the specific sections of the law; you do not have to DROS a C&R eligible long gun that is more than 50 years old. I think you should be able to talk him down to at least $450, ideally $400. TBH, I have seen better RC guns for $450, though. Long guns are not registered yet, so his perception that the gun is "registered" is simply false (for the time being).

[whatwhy]

Thanks guys, I'll look up the law but if he won't do it...would it be stupid to DROS it? Or maybe the gun store will tell us we don't need to?

[jthai]

$580 might be a little high now but not in a couple of years. Prices have been going up. I used to see RC K98k's at gun shows all the time a couple of years ago, but not now, so they are a little harder to find.

Take this guy's advice. Of course talk the seller down as much as possible, but in the end, if you really like the rifle and the price difference ain't going to break you..go for it. I've passed up things for as little as 50 bucks in the past because I was too concerned about getting a good deal and wish I hadn't. Good deals happen but you may have a long wait ahead of you and what you get may not be as nice. And all for a difference of 50-100 bucks.