German K98 Mauser

valkrye

What year German K98 Mauser 8mm,along with the Country/Manufacturing Plant would be considered Top of the Line Rifle to purchase for shooting and Collecting ??? Would like a War Time Rifle with Nazi Markings.

ammo guy

The above answer is really out of date. You can't find any German 98K in any decent condition for under $250.00 now. The so called Russian capture are gone. A real nice pre-1939 Mauser with matching #'s will run you well over $1000.00. One not matching will still go for $500.00+. Stay with dates under 1942 as the Mfg of them took a hit after that.

beantownshootah

quote:Originally posted by ammo guy
The above answer is really out of date. You can't find any German 98K in any decent condition for under $250.00 now. The so called Russian capture are gone. A real nice pre-1939 Mauser with matching #'s will run you well over $1000.00. One not matching will still go for $500.00+. Stay with dates under 1942 as the Mfg of them took a hit after that.

To be clear, the surplus supplies of the "Russian capture" guns have probably dried up by now, but there are still thousands of these guns out there you can buy on the used market.

There is at least one on the auction site right now for under $250, though I can't speak to its condition.

Now, whether or not its worth buying one of these is debatable. As a "shooter", they're fine. As a "collector" (ie a financial investment), the all-original guns are going to be better, though as you point out far more pricey.

b0400879

Forget about 1 example.
Get yourself an RC for the shooter-grade rig.
For the safe queen: Decide upon how much $$ you wish to fork-over, & then buy the cleanest ORIGINAL specimen that you encounter. Arrange for a 3-day insp to CYA.

Re country of origin/codes: The correct answer could take-up several pages.

nmyers

I don't know much about Mausers, but I assume that, like most milsurp rifles, those without importer markings will generally be the most desirable.

Neal

b0400879

quote:Originally posted by nmyers
I don't know much about Mausers, but I assume that, like most milsurp rifles, those without importer markings will generally be the most desirable.
Neal

G' day Neal, & unfortunately it's a whole lot "deeper" than import stamps.
In order, it's related to: WW2 German K98 build numbers/dates/locations/those that survived & somehow got to the US. Add condition, etc.
Logic: The best example in recent history went down right here on GB. It was a sporterized specimen of "swj XE", s/n 6433T. Date was 19 Sept 2007, fetching USD $20,025.
Of course - this example defies logic, but collecters are just that.

1KYDSTR

While not German, I picked up an FN built Dutch Police Carbine, Gendarmerie de Amsterdam here three years ago for $350 during the "Bull" market. It was arsenal repaired, cosmetically around 75%, mechanically nearer %95, but all matching...serial number 3. Guy selling it thought that was a rack number or something like that. Key is be patient and look hard befor shelling out the dinero. These things still exist out there. Also got a 98AZ here maybe 4 years ago for, again, $350 that turned out to be an arsenal refinished 1918 Danzig/1920 Permission gun that had seen what I assume to be NO use since refurbished in 1920...if they could talk! These examples are from a few years ago, but as mentioned, in these challenging economic times the deals have kinda' backed up $ wise over the last 2 lamentable years of this "adminstration".