wanting to start a WWII sniper rifle colection.

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slabuda

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Ok I watched "Weaponology" and the "Evolution of the sniper rifle"

Got to thinking I may like to start a collection of WWII sniper rifles. One of each A 1903 (USA), Lee Enfield (UK), Mauser (German) and Mosin (Russian). What did the Japanese use?

Ideally Id like to get them from the war years with desired markings...Like a swastika, deaths head or SS on the Mauser. What were the desired markings on them all? Did the Mosin have a Hammer and Sickle?

And where can I find info or acquire a period scope?

Any good place to get these guns beside the overpriced gun show booth selling the rifle used by Sgt York himself and Hitler's/Stalin's personal rifles.......:rolleyes:

Would this be something worth getting a C&R license over? These may really be my only C&R guns but after I start why not get a period 1911, Webley revolver etc etc.---damn me and my expensive hobbies :banghead:

Im a bit clueless on these fine older rifles other than they can be really nice shooters, which they will be. I want them for fun not to say "gee, see what I got."


Thanks in advance all you THRers


BTW there is a gun show this weekend in Boise. May be too late to research etc to get one now but I could get a look for prices and the like for the next one due here.
 
I'm far from an expert on any of them but Mosin's have alot of after market remakes. They're technically up to specs and shoot great most of the time, but they're not 'true" snipers. Check the markings carefully and make sure all the parts match. (or most, as scopes where changed out from time to time and such.)
 
^
What he said.

There is some serious coin involved in getting some of those older sniper rifles. But if you can swing it it would be impressive to have such a collection.
 
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Well screw that...Id go for a non numbers matching. Whats the difference say between your typical mosin surplus and a "sniper" rifle? or mauser, Lee etc?
Could one do a reasonable copy of one at a decent price still in the up to 1945 year range?

Like I said its not a soo what I have safe colection, its a lets go get some surplus ammo and shoot collection. Id just like them to be from the proper years and not be massively restored like mitchels mausers.
 
You can try these people. It's a little bit of a hassel but the guns I've gotten from them have been great Also they are a great bunch of people to do business with. There is also a lot of info on 1903's & A's M1's.

http://www.odcmp.com/
 
Even obviously fake versions of all the major sniper rifles go for thousands (except the mosins since the Ukraine is cranking them out.) You are gonna need a little more than you stimulus check for this mission!

Good luck
 
You are about 10 years too late to start a WWII sniper collection. At this point the prices are through the roof!

The only thing even reasonably cheap are reproduction Mosin Nagant snipers with new production, period style, scopes. There's a couple places offering them.

Someone is also offering a repro K98 sniper, but I can't recall who and it was still a bit pricey.

As for U.S. and Brit stuff, the problem is that originals are too expensive for most and even just the original mounts and scopes alone cost hundreds of dollars apiece. Add in the cost of the base rifle and a repro will set you back close to $800 to $1,000 to start.

If you try to buy an authentic rifle you REALLY need to know what you are looking at as there are a ton of fakes out there, many of which will fool all but the most knowledgable collector. The fakes are being sold as real so they aren't any cheaper and have less value.

I'd grab a repro Mosin Nagant sniper while they are available and maybe one of those K98 repros. (Personally, I'd research the K98's a bit more first as I don't know much about them)

After that, good luck getting U.S., Brit or Japanese. I don't think anyone is even making repro Jap scopes or mounts.
 
You might be able to find one of the former Mosin sniper rifles that had the holes refilled and buy a mount and scope for it. You looking at some serious dough for this, the cheapest of the bunch.

The US one probably require you to need the M1 Garand sniper and M1917 sniper too, that saw quite a bit of surface in the US too. As much as the 1903a4. You are talking about a really expensive proposition though. The 1903a4 can be picked up for a little under $10000 if you are really lucky.

My neighbour had two of them with a sniper M1D Garand too and automatic MP40. Unfortunately the massive collection was stolen All that was left was a parts Kar98. A sad day.
 
US 1903A4
US 1903 USMC 1941
US M1C

GB No 4 Mk 1T

Japan Type 97
Japan Type 99 + scope

German K98k with ZF41 "scout scope"
K98k with Zeiss side mount scope.
G43 auto with scope.

Soviet MN 1930 with PU scope.


There are copies, reproductions, and fakes of most of these except the Japs. If you want the real thing, I figure a full set would cost about like a three bedroom ranch type.
 
jim dont forget the pem scope for the mosin thats what was used by the actual sniper that enemy at the gate was based off vasily maybe
 
Yah, Tokarev autos used as snipers.
While they lasted, the Norwegians had the 1925 Krag Sniper.
I don't have anything on WWII Italian or French sniper rifles.

The Swiss weren't fighting, nor were the Danes with their 1928 Krag Sniper. Saw one (1.0) of those ever. Nice rifle but 8mm Danish ammo? Not a chance.
 
New saiga have the tula arrow on them too, sorry off topic, just got excited when I saw that.
 
Someone is also offering a repro K98 sniper, but I can't recall who and it was still a bit pricey.
Click to expand...

I believe it is Mitchell's Mausers.....note: many advise to stay away from MM as they are extremely over priced, their sniper k98 i believe i saw advertised for $3000
 
I thought Vasili had a PU scope. At least thats what it says in the book.
Click to expand...

in the book and movie he used a pu but the actual man used a PEM

the rifle is currently in a museum in russia
 
ROFL... Im just a single MSgt with a honking great $1500 mortgage, car payment and investments. I was hoping to do it for a about a 1,000-1,500 each...over about 5-6 yrs or so...but then they could be an investment but somehow I dont think I can tie my IRA into guns ;)

Guess Ill do with getting non period reproduction movie guns.

You know, Josey Wales/High Plains drifter revolvers.
John Wayne style lever actions....lol at least modern versions of these can be had at a decent price...lots of those about in Southern Idaho.

But hey as always smart peeps on here with good info.
Thanks...
 
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