Looking for some Mauser 98 advice, pretty please?

[priv8ter]

A gun store I sometimes go into has a rifle that has had me interested for quite a while.

The only problem is, I can't figure out very much from just looking at the rifle. It's bolt action, and the floorplate appears to be screwed shut. The rifle does say Mod 98 on the side, and it says 30-06 in big clear numbers down the top of the barrel. Other than that, the only identification I can see on the rifle itself is the date 1943 stamped across the front reciever ring.

The gun already has a scope mounted, a fairly non-descript 4 power Weaver.

The only other thing to mention about the rifle is what keeps me going back to it. The wood is simply phenomenal. I have never, in person, seen wood that looks quite like this. It's so light brown, it's almost orange...but the way it glows...the rifle just seems to be begging to be held and loved.

Now, I need a .30-06 right now the way I need a hole in my head, but, my 30th birthday IS comming up. The tag on the rifle say $375, but it has been on the shelf for over a year, so I might be able to get a bit off, if I send my cute wife in with a bundle of green cash and a smile.

Two questions then: Am I missing anything on this rifle that would help me identify it a bit better, and, is somewhere between $325-$375 fair for what I have described?

Thanks for everyones help.

greg

 

[P95Carry]

Mauser K98 sounds very possible. I did, way back - have a K98 which had been rechambered for .308 Win . it was a superb rifle and after fitting a scope - was all but adequate as a deer rifle!! Wish I still had it. A quick inspection will soon determine what the action is.

I guess if mine was rechambered .308 - no reason why some may not have been done for 30-06.

Price seems on high side but - if bore is pristine then maybe - this is worthy of consideration. Let's see what other input you get.

If no ''extras'' then I'd think perhaps $250 - $275 might be in ball park but of course - no have seen!

 

[rbernie]

Anything over $300 for a Mauser rework is a bit steep unless it's got a pretty decent barrel (Shilen, Douglas), Timney trigger, and other such amenities. No harm in picking it up if you like it, but be aware that it's probably never gonna be a screamin' god deal and it'd probably be cheaper in the end to just get a Savage and put a fancy stock on it...

 

[spacemanspiff]

i'd say that its going to have value to someone.

maybe not me, since it sounds like its been 'sporterized'.

for one thing, unless the shop selling it has its full pedigree, the potential buyer is pretty much in the dark about the rifles history. maybe theres a good reason why its original owner didnt want it? or that its been there for so long?

i go through about the same thing at a local pawn shop. they have a WWI mauser thats been bubba-ed, but its still got all matching numbers. still got the factory codes. but its been drilled/tapped, funky stock put on it (which is cracked by the way) and its just plain ugly. when i first saw it the price was $325. a year later, the price was $275. three months ago, the price was labeled as 'discounted' but back up to $350.
apparently that pawn shop really doesnt want to sell their guns.

 

[greg531mi]

It sounds like a bubba-sized Mauser..... No good for resale value, unless from a major gunsmith, and marked as such.
Too many kitchen table top smiths for this to be valueable.....
Price, between $100 to $200 tops, if no known gun smith name on it....
I would try to go and shoot it, to see there are any problems, but $375, you can find a Remington 700 for that much

 

[priv8ter]

Thanks!

So, a bit overpirced for something that has no collector value, and dubious pedigree. I haven't taken a bore scope or even a flashlight too it. I have resisted the urge to show too much interest in the gun when I don't have the money on me to actually buy it if I did get a price break.

And, since one of the main reasons I like it is the wood, it would be a shame to buy it for looks, then drag around eastern Washington looking for elk.

it'd probably be cheaper in the end to just get a Savage and put a fancy stock on it...

If you had ever seen me try to replace the air filter in my Ranger, or reassemble my Ruger Mk II, you would think twice before recommending I do work on any gun.

Thanks for all the advice...I guess I'll keep an eye on how long it sits there while trying to decide how much to offer.

greg