Mauser 98K Valuation Help!

[emcon5]

Like they said, be wary of fully matching guns, but there are a couple of bolt mismatches on k98forums that are not far above what you would have paid for that RC.

[ZenMastaT]

I don't see any up for sale right at this moment but I know I've seen a good 4-5 non-RC mismatch K98s go for $500-600 in the last couple months. I picked up this S/243 G-date for $550 in June of this year. http://imgur.com/a/ScHyl#0

The bottom of the K98k market does seem to be climbing higher but that seems to mean that RC K98ks now just cost around the same as non RC mixmaster K98ks. I know some are really into the added bit of Russian history but personally, a non-RC with original bluing and original finish on the stock looks way better and really is not a lot more money.

I know it can be tough to walk away from a deal once you have put time into negotiating it but, especially with the insistence on the unnecessary DROS, I would walk away from this one.

[pitfighter]

If you are really interested in collecting these and getting a good deal.

Make sure to scan backpage and CR classifieds from neighboring states.
Nevada for example - you should really only be paying $350 or so for an RC.
Now, if driving to pick up, fondling and seeing it is a deciding factor, so be it.
But, just throwing that out there.

On Vegas backpage there is a Mosin/K98 Rc combo for $580 -

You have to be smart, and careful - but I have been buying for years using many internet sources, specialty auctions, ebay, GB, auctionarms, gunsamerica, CR, armslist - I have had zero issues (Actually - I bought a fake SA dagger one time), but I also don't allow for a situation to happen where I can get ripped off, many, many have not been so fortunate - I cannot speak for them. I just don't commit until I have asked all the questions I need to.

Just friendly advice - we had to kit out a German regiment for a small movie recently, it was cheaper to buy, than to rent when rental costs were calculated over a month.

Happy hunting!

Pit.

[emcon5]

If you are really interested in collecting these and getting a good deal.

Make sure to scan backpage and CR classifieds from neighboring states.
Nevada for example - you should really only be paying $350 or so for an RC.
Now, if driving to pick up, fondling and seeing it is a deciding factor, so be it.
But, just throwing that out there.

On Vegas backpage there is a Mosin/K98 Rc combo for $580 -

You also have to have a C&R FFL to buy from out of state, or be lucky enough to find a buyer willing to ship.

[pitfighter]

Yes - C&R license - but if you're collecting these rifles, you should have that.

Regarding shipping - of course you are correct, it is good if the buyer will ship - but if you're looking to make a deal... travel - think a little bigger.

Find four or five things to look at and go -
I fly to Arizona, Oregon, use the right airline and pack a lockable container you can legally bring back ammo (yes ammo), rifles, and other goodies (only CA legal articles of course.)
Don't post here if you disagree, check online with the airline, you will be surprised what is 100% legal.
(My back-pack made a very violent metallic thud when it dropped onto the turn-style after my SAR Phoenix trip.)

I have a job but will often do this at weekends for fun to expand my collection.

Taxi to a Starbucks near airport and have the sellers meet you there, done it many times - just be sure to take a container (that doesn't look like a rifle container, you're sitting in Starbucks remember) - most of the time these folks selling are from a different educational group and will turn up with it in the wrong packing, Enfields in Kmart plastic bags or Arisakas in diaper bags.

You're saving $200 on the rifle - a cheap flight to AZ is $80 - other costs maybe $40, the drive to Vegas is $150 or so, - I know it's a pain, but I like the semblance of adventure it brings, too.

OK, talked this to death - if you enjoy hunting this stuff, you know this already, if you're lazy or don't have time, none of it will make a difference.

Happy hunting,

Pit.

[whatwhy]

Thanks guys, I thought about getting one out of state but I just don't have the time to be honest.

Do I need a C&R license to receive an old rifle by mail?

Also, are there non-RC German mausers? Most I've seen are Swedish or otherwise.

Sent from my microwave now Free

[pitfighter]

I found a non-import, non-RC K98 in a pawn shop in Sanata Ana - $400 - there are at least three in Rettings in Culver City, they are around $1000 each, mas or menus.

[emcon5]

Do I need a C&R license to receive an old rifle by mail?

Until January 1, in CA it is legal to receive a C&R Long gun over 50 years old shipped from someone in CA, if you find someone willing to do it.

Until January 1 with a C&R FFL you can receive from out of state, a C&R long gun over 50 years old.

After Jan 1, with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and a C&R FFL you will be able to receive from out of state a C&R long gun of any age, in theory at least. You will need to register them and send in a fee. It remains to be seen how many vendors are going to do this, or will just quit dealing to CA 03 FFLs.

With an 03 FFL, you can travel out of state and purchase any C&R Firearm, handguns included, and return them to CA. You will need to register them and send in a fee when you return to CA. This does not change Jan 1, except that currently Handguns only need to be registered. In 2014, all firearms will need to be registered.

Also, are there non-RC German mausers? Most I've seen are Swedish or otherwise. [/url]

I assume you are not asking about non-captured rifles, vet bringbacks and such. Are you asking about WW2 era K98k, or German Made Mausers in general?

Assuming you are asking about Nazi era K98k, there are also Yugo captures, they normally have all the markings scrubbed. There are others as well, Romania, France, Norway, probably others. There are also a lot of German K98s that ended up in the hands if Israel, and many were converted to 7.62 NATO in the 50s.

If you are asking about all Mauser rifles made in Germany, that is a really extensive list.

For a general overview, read these articles:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gewehr_1888

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gewehr_98

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karabiner_98k

[whatwhy]

I guess I'm really looking for WWII German rifles with the markings still on them I was told my best and possibly only bet is Russian Captures.

I found a non-import, non-RC K98 in a pawn shop in Sanata Ana - $400 - there are at least three in Rettings in Culver City, they are around $1000 each, mas or menus.

Is this a German one? Could you PM me the info of the shop? Thanks!

[emcon5]

I was told my best and possibly only bet is Russian Captures.!

Probably true. All I can say is be patient.

Look at Armslist and the trader forums daily, if not more often. Even check craigslist, sometimes they show up.

[pitfighter]

Martin Retting - Culver City - Washington Blvd.,
(I love these guys, so I hope you don't mind me naming them here.)

I presumed you were asking for an all matching German wartime K98 (not marked by a foreign nations armory, or US import stamp.)

Some people blanket call these "bring backs" - some are genuine duffel cut bring-backs - most were imported in large numbers after 1945, before 1968, by arms importers - read any 1950's, 1960's gun magazine you will see many, many ads in the back pages for "Nazi K98's $12.00" - these would be the unmarked, matching rifles we are now paying $1000's for.

Last month, Retting had three (one phosphate matching SVW 1945 $1200 with WAa's which I am looking into) - but they do turn over, I procrastinated about a matching G33-40 $1900 they had, and lost it, for some reason I thought they stayed on the shelf longer, lol.

*My only advice if you are thinking about spending $1000 or more on a K98, is don't take anyone's advice for law - buy books and read up, do your own research. People take sporterized matching actions, and rework them into wartime configuration, renumbering stocks, and many many other sneaky moves - they remove serial numbers and change them - you can buy WAa factory stamps on Ebay, that allow you to mark up any receiver - be wary.

Good luck, mate,

Pit.

[whatwhy]

I was looking to spend $500ish at most for one, don't care much for matching guns, and I care even less for Martin Retting -- I won't get into it on the forum but I try to warn everyone I meet about them. I'm glad they take good care of you, I just wish they had done the same for me.

[ZenMastaT]

Like I said above, if you've got $500 to spend I really think your best bet is to find a non-captured mixmaster Mauser. They're definitely out there and are likely to have intact markings since they were never captured by another power. Higher end collectors tend not to be interested once you get to the point where the bolt and the stock and the barrel bands and floor plate etc don't match but the gun will likely still work (although you'll want to check head space) and can often be nicer quality than an RC.

The prices for guns in this category hasn't seemed to climb all that much in the last few years compared to RCs either so deals can still be found. Check the classifieds here, at k98kforum and over at gunboards regularly would be my recommendation.

[pitfighter]

Sorry, to hear about your experience with Retting.

Zenmaster's advice above is very good..

Have fun - keep your eyes peeled you may find something wonderful - treasures are still out there.

I hope you are able to continue showing no interest in all matching parts firearms - it may well keep you from pointlessly spending large sums of money

Pit.

[whatwhy]

Thanks guys. Deal didn't happen today and I'm sort of glad. Are there any special keywords to use to search for non RC German mausers?

Again, really appreciate the help and advice.

Pitfighter: could you let me know which Santa ana pawn shop has the Mauser?

(this is the stupid tapatalk link that forces itself in) --> now Free