Price check on German byf K98 mauser

[RP88]

went to the surplus store and a K98 caught my eye.

description:

byf arsenal in '41, standard parts match, electropencils everywhere, eagle proofs are visible/unpeened, finish is newish looking - most likely shellac'd, receiver has faint x, RC serial on stock (a Russian capture in late-war mode perhaps), bore is good. Gun has all pieces present, front sight hood present, but possibly a repro. Unsure on import mark but I'm almost positive it had one. Everthing is in sound condition, but nothing looks refurbished (no laminate, high-gloss, etc.) no stock cracks.

price is $369.99 (about $390 after tax)

too high, too low?

I plan to go back up tomorrow to look at it some more if it still there, if more info is required.

Anything else to look for that could help me quickly assess value?

Thanks for any help.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Anything else to look for that could help me quickly assess value?

One more thing...how badly do you want it and what are you willing to pay?

 

[ultradoc]

There is an add in the NRA magazine that has German Mausers for sale but I can't remember the price. It has extra goodies with it. You might want to check that out too. Good luck.

 

[Moose458]

In todays market in the shape you discribe and with the eagle proofs, I'd buy it if it were me. When you order a mil sup rifle, you never know what you'll get. You've looked at this rifle and it sounds like it is great shape.

 

[Vaarok]

Ultradoc, those are Mitchell's Mausers. They are bad, m'kay?

For $390, for a 'furb, I think you're running a little high. I've not priced RC K98ks lately, but unless it's a shiny example I'd hold off and wait for a particularly good one that speaks to me. However, for you, this may be one that's speaking...

 

[jobu07]

For $390, for a 'furb, I think you're running a little high. I've not priced RC K98ks lately, but unless it's a shiny example I'd hold off and wait for a particularly good one that speaks to me. However, for you, this may be one that's speaking...

I think R/C refurb's are starting to creep north of this price point. If you want one/need one for the collection this would probably be a good rifle to grab.

 

[RP88]

yeah, it looks to be in great functional shape. The bolt has light plumming on one part, which definitely shows it got furb'd. Not a bad thing, IMO. I'm just glad the metal and markings are there and that the stock is still in one piece. It also had a cleaning rod that looked aged but that could have been repro'd too.

I'm willing to pay a little extra for the convenience since I won't have to pay shipping and transfer, but this is assuming I'm not getting gouged. I am aware of the "Mitchell Mausers" and will try and make sure this isn't one. I doubt it though, due to the electropencils.

I've heard a few people tell me that it is probably only worth around the $300 mark, which would put me about $50 over after what shipping/transfer typically goes for. It's starting to sound like a slightly above average deal, but if someone can rationally talk me out of it for my sake I'm still all ears.

 

[RP88]

Alright, I said 'screw it' and went a similar route.

I picked up a different capture K98 for ten bucks less. This one had a much better, shinier bore that had virtually no pitting. It's a dot AM code gun, dated 1944. It's pretty much 100% mixed and refurbed, but it looks like it will make a good shooter. The locking screws are original. The waffen marks are unpeened, but the buttplate is force-matched. The sling is a very nice leather repro; the sight hood is, too. Although the receiver has some pitting on the side, the rest is in great shape, and the stock is very smooth with no cracks or bad gouges.

for about $375, how did I do?

edit: photos apparently didn't load. Direct links below:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/1001138o.jpg
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/7/1001137ck.jpg
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/585/1001140l.jpg

 

[bentongunclub]

I have found the import mark on these is commonly on the underside of the barrel toward the muzzle. Yeah man, they are creeping up in price. The guy in my area has them for about that price and they are ragged looking with mismatched numbers.

 

[RP88]

That seems to be the consensus.

The import mark was on the side of it near the muzzle.

I'm just glad I found what looks to be a good shooter. Apparently, the guy who owned it used it for re-enactments before scrapping it for whatever personal reason. I feel I made out decently since I got a pretty nice sling in there along with a very good bore.