What are K-31's going for nowadays?

[elsolo]

As the title asks,

What is the going rate for a K31 nowadays?

[Discogodfather]

Cheap eaten up stocks (the later lighter wood re-stocks) can go as low as $250, but a really nice walnut example that has 90%+ blue and no stock marks can go for $750+. Add another +$200 for the diopter sights.

One thing is sure, they are getting really expensive in the last couple of years. The full 55 sniper is a minimum $3500 and more like $6000 for a good example.

Check out Simpson LTD. for good examples of expensive lightly used stuff.

[elsolo]

thanks
The Simpson LTD link was an eye opener on pricing

[Discogodfather]

[Justintoxicated]

Sometimes beech can be slightly darker and walnut on the lighter side. Of these two (Bottom 2), one is beech and one is walnut. I paid $270 and $525, the second one I feel I paid too much, but I really wanted it hah. The first one was bought about 2 years ago, prices have gone up since then.

Top is Beech, Bottom is Walnut.

Wood2 by Glamisduner, on Flickr

Most of the really good looking ones have been refinished and or refurbished. The top one has never had either done, but the bottom one has been both refurbished by arsenal, then likely refinished by the soldier who decided to keep it some years ago. You can tell because there should be a decently deep cartouch in the stock, if it is light or not very deep the stock has been refinished. As for the rifle, rifles with a stamp on the receiver tang have been arsenal refurbished. Then there are private Series rifles that will go for a few hundred more. They are stamped on the receiver with a 'P'. There's also a mark on some on the barrel that is a 'P' which indicates the rifle was purchased by the solider when their service ended. Also you want all matching numbers. Stock, receiver, barrel, magazine, and bolt. Finally, some rifles have a troop tag under the butt plate as well.

[Discogodfather]

Very cool info, thanks.

I looked for any marks on the tang, nothing. Removed the butt plate and no tag, just some markings of "VII 49". The cartouch looks very deep and crisp.

The fellow who sold it to me said it was genuine "unissue". There are also no P marks anywhere. Everything is serial matching, mag, stocks, barrel, bolt, etc. The metal looks amazing, I'd say 95%+ blue, but there are spots where you can see the age. Do you think this is the real deal, not a refurb? Also no import marks.

[Guisan]

It's was refurbished by a previous owner, the wood acceptance stamp has faded and the wood is too bright.



These are new post war K31's, the wood has a different color.

[elsolo]

I actually have a '53
All matching numbers, troop tag, beech stock that I refinished with BLO back in about 2002.
First I was considering selling it, then I thought about buying another one, but they are going for more than I can justify spending right now.
Stupid rifle disease, it's worse than booze.

[Guisan]

Postwar K31's were finished with shellac, linseed oil is for the older walnut ones.

[elsolo]

Postwar K31's were finished with shellac, linseed oil is for the older walnut ones.

The shellac was chipped, looked like crap, and I prefer an oil finish.
I may regret that one day, but not yet.

Anybody know what the infor on the tag means?
I assume:
Otto Frei was the rifle owner and he was from Will, Switzerland, the rest????

[Discogodfather]

Hard to believe these sold for less than $100 ten years ago, what a steal. I still think they are still under valued. Also the K11's and 1911's seem even cheaper and still shoot the same 7.5 swiss.

Anyone know if this swiss ammo is corrosive? I got 300 rounds with mine in this black box with the straps, it looks so cool! When did they make this ammo? It looks so new.....

[Justintoxicated]

Very cool info, thanks.

I looked for any marks on the tang, nothing. Removed the butt plate and no tag, just some markings of "VII 49". The cartouch looks very deep and crisp.

The fellow who sold it to me said it was genuine "unissue". There are also no P marks anywhere. Everything is serial matching, mag, stocks, barrel, bolt, etc. The metal looks amazing, I'd say 95%+ blue, but there are spots where you can see the age. Do you think this is the real deal, not a refurb? Also no import marks.

Does not look deep to me but pic is pretty fuzzy, but hey, no big deal either way it is still a nice rifle! No import marks is a nice touch.

Hard to believe these sold for less than $100 ten years ago, what a steal. I still think they are still under valued. Also the K11's and 1911's seem even cheaper and still shoot the same 7.5 swiss.

Anyone know if this swiss ammo is corrosive? I got 300 rounds with mine in this black box with the straps, it looks so cool! When did they make this ammo? It looks so new.....

No it is not, and it is good quality ammo.

[Discogodfather]

Does not look deep to me but pic is pretty fuxxy, but hey, no big deal either way it is still a nice rifle! No import marks is a nice touch.

Right on, I got it to SHOOT not to collect!

[Justintoxicated]

Right on, I got it to SHOOT not to collect!

You will love it. They are the best most advanced military bolt action of WWII era. Well if you can get used to the sights anyways. I prefer peep sights myself like the 1903a3, but the rifle itself is quite capable.

[Guisan]

The shellac was chipped, looked like crap, and I prefer an oil finish.
I may regret that one day, but not yet.

Anybody know what the infor on the tag means?
I assume:
Otto Frei was the rifle owner and he was from Will, Switzerland, the rest????

Born in 1939 and his unit was the Schwere Haubitze Stabsbatterie 76.

Shellac is easy to restore, remove the old layer with steelwool and alcohol and apply new shellac. The word shellac says it all, it's a protective shell, the complete recipe can be found here;

http://theswissriflesdotcommessageboard.yuku.com/topic/10847/master/1/