collector value of a k98 russian capture

[EricTheBarbarian]

Ive got a russian capture k98. I believe it was refinished and it has all of the parts electro-penciled to match. I am wondering does it have any serious collector value or is its value based on just being a nice shooter. if i scoped it would I be ruining a piece of history or just let me shoot it better at longer ranges.i bought it last year for 179 dollars and now i havent been able to find one at a gun show for cheaper than 230 dollars now.i know someone is going to say just buy a savage or whatever, but I am asking if scoping it would not ruin it or should i just leave it how it is. Also, are there are historically acurate scope mounts available or ones that look like it? I would prefer to not have a scout mount. I have a leupold 3x9x40 vxII looking for a home on a nice rifle. open to any suggestions.

 

[Trebor]

If you drill and tap it for a scope, or alter it in any other permament way, you will lower the collector value. Right now, these are still being imported, so the value is relatively low. Give it about five to ten years though and the prices will go up. They may go up slowly, or they may spike, but they will go up.

Don't muck up the rifle. Shoot it as-is and find something else to scope.

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

anyone know anything about the scope mount used on the mauser in enemy at the gates? is it historically acurate or any way to find one?

 

[atblis]

Value

If you drill and tap it for a scope,

That won't reduce collector value, it'll kill it. If you're concerned with the collector value of a firearm, especially military stuff, do not do any sort of modifications including refinishing the stock. Nothing! You clean and oil. That's it.

 

[byf43]

Eric,

I don't know any specifics about the rifle that Ed Harris used in the movie, but, if you want to mount a scope on your K98k, I'd like to suggest the Iron Elite mount.

It is not made for a 'scout' scope, but, it does mount in place of the rear sight.

A good friend has one of these mounts and really likes it.
You can install it, then take it off later, if you wish, with no damage to the rifle.

My friend has it mounted on his BNZ (1944) Mauser and shoots it out to 600 yds.
I think he has a Leupold scope on it, if I'm not mistaken.

I echo what Trebor said. I wouldn't (personally) permanently alter the K98k, other than to replace the mis-matched parts with 'correct' parts.

Thanks for reading.

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

Thanks for the advice. I didnt really want to hack up my mauser anyways. I looked at that iron elite mount and that looks pretty good. It can mount over the receiver but works off the front sight leaf.Im going to go with that. now everyone on here can sleep better at night that a k98 isnt going to get hacked up. ill post some pics when i get the mount. thanks again