German K98 price check - pics

Mike Webb, the Soviets did a massive FTR. There isn't a nation in the world that tries to match up serial numbers during such an enormous project. The most you can expect in a situation like that is an EP match up number on the bolt, that matches the receiver or barrel in some cases.

The Soviets, FTRed those rifles in a very distinctive manner. Change that style, by removing the stock with the red varnish or the serial number on the left side of the butt that matches the bolt and receiver, add parts like the front sight hood or the receiver locking screws or add a cleaning rod and you are bubbaing a proper collectible.

Doing those things to any other rifle, would amount to the same thing. By stamping the crossed rifle mark above the serial number on the receiver they have marked these Mauser's with the equivalent mark of "FTR" on a Lee Enfield.

"FTR" rifles are correct collectibles. Some Lee Enfields, are electro penciled as well. The difference is, they don't stamp new serial numbers on the furniture. The Soviets do add a new serial number on the left side of the butts. they are so adamant about it that they even took a belt sander and get rid of the original number and Waffenamt markings if any are present on the wood.

Like I said, the rifle Arty man put together is beautiful but it's now a bitser. If I were looking for a pretty K98 to shoot, I would make him a fair offer on it. I'm not. I recently picked one up in very similar condition at my local dealer for $300. It shoots about the same as Arty man's and I'm going to turn it into a faux sniper with a set of "Superfekt OR Monagen" detachable mounts and bases and a period Ajack scope.

This rifle will be "Bubba" Even though the parts are correct.
 
Mike Webb said:
Kinda have to disagree there. RC's are the most massive bubba operation in history. I don't think they are authentic collectibles at all being force matched and having the stocks swapped around. To me they are already ruined as original rifles so if you swap parts to at least get historically correct rifles there is nothing wrong with that. e.g., correct WaA stampings for the code and correct period stocks and barrel bands etc.
Click to expand...

I am inclined to agree with Mr. Webb here.

The first rifle I ever bought was a 1941 ce K98 (JP Sauer and Sohn) with an LSR scope and mount (Long Side Rail). The scope was a wartime produced bmj (Dialytan) with a correct LSR mount.

Sad thing was, the rifle and scope had perhaps been put together post war as it didn't have a matching part on the rifle!

It had a post war Czech open type sight hood, a HEAVILY sanded stock, extra sling swivels added for a hunting type sling, etc...

But once I had it cleaned up, sling swivels taken out, wood repaired, it looked the part. I paid $1100.00 for it in 2002, I sold it for $1800.00 a couple years later even when I fully disclosed what it was and had been through. That money helped fund the purchase of my first G43. ;)

Long story short, though it wasn't the perfect specimen, it did look the part. It was a correct year and manufacturer for an LSR rig, and it worked and shot well.

Remember, your rifle is worth what someone will pay for it.
 
bearhunter said:
Arty Man, I am a bit more inclined to say, closer to $400, if you include the original stock. The Russian refurbs are authentic collectibles, the way they were originally imported. Anything you have done to change them, is bubba. They are what they are.

That being said, I definitely like the look of your rifle. If it didn't have Russian refurb stamps on it, your replacement of original parts would be OK. EP markings are normal with Russian capture rifles. That lovely stock you put on it isn't.

I'm sure you will get a premium for the rifle as it is in such nice condition and does look very good. Just like in real estate, location is everything, in firearms, after originality, condition is everything.
Click to expand...


The rifle itself came with what looks like a "semi kreigsmodell" stock, very similar to the rifle in Deltasilvers picture. That stock is stamped matching and has a stamped matching buttplate. The stock is still in my possesion and beside the rifle ;)

The lovely stock as you mention (thanks!) is a correct stock for a 1943 dated German K98. I found the laminated German stock and purchased it (with the stampes on the inside I believe it is dated '43 aswell). I personally wouldnt consider it a bubba as the original (refurb) stock goes back on just as easily as it came off;)

Almost like the hunters putting a synthetic stock on their M1s or LEs, a good idea to preserve the original stock. I have not permanently altered the rifle in any way. I also have the Czech sight hood that was originally on the rifle. The stock and sight hood seem characteristic of a Czech rework, but the X seems Russian. Any thoughts?
 
bearhunter said:
The Russian refurbs are authentic collectibles, the way they were originally imported. Anything you have done to change them, is bubba. They are what they are.QUOTE]

It can be swapped back to what it was in about 10mins though.

Also, any of you guys know why many parts are stamped matching as opposed to EP? The only EP is the bolt body and floorplate, whereby the refurb stock, bolt handle and magwell are all stamped matching, with the magwell being forced (refurb) stamp matching. I was under the impression the Soviets never bothered to ### out and re stamp parts, simply EP.
Click to expand...
 
Arty Man, in it's original stock, without the add ons, it's correct. That little crossed rifle stamp, above the serial number on the left side of the receiver tells the whole story to a collector. As you have changed it, it is no longer a correct Russian Capture. Nothing you can do to it will change it from what it is or change it back to its original Wermacht status. That crossed rifle stamp is like a tatoo. Even if you grind it off, there will still be a mark to those who know.

As I mentioned, it's a very nice rifle. It's also your rifle. Do with it as suits you. Not once did you try to pass it off as anything other than it is. That's commendable.

I don't have a problem with people taking an unrestoreable or low value rifle and dressing it up. Especially if it makes them feel better. Lou has done some very nice work to his Lee Enfields. He, like you, doesn't try to pass them off as anything but what they are. Lou, also prices them accordingly when he sells them.

What you did to this rifle will make you proud of it and use it more. If you did it to make money on it. You just might. Personally, unless all of the Soviet refurb parts were on it, I would pass on it. That's just IMHO. Still, a very nice rifle.
 
Thanks for the input. IF I were to sell it, would it then be beneficial to part it out? and sell the spare stock seperately?
 
I think the point being missed here is that ArtyMan didn't pick up the other stock to try and alter the rifle and pass it off as a non RC, but just to have another stock to preserve the integrity of the correct one it came with. The fact that it would be correct to the rifle were it not a RC is just a bonus talking point. As he says, nothing was permanently altered and it can be turned back into the correct RC configuration (as he received it) in 10 minutes.

The rifle is exactly the same as he received it, nothing was re-parted or altered, and as such I don't see how it could be deemed a bubba...
 
Coins and Stamps are no different than Guns when it comes to value.

The RC is a shooter grade, low price, affordable entry level as the only parts on it that match are the receiver and barrel. A mixmaster of parts from every year and maker, most of which are not correct.

Price is a reflection of how good the collectable is on the totem pole, some are at the top (All Matching Unmolested Original), some are at the bottom (RC).
 
Last edited:
I didn't know there was any such thing as a " correct " Russian capture. They are the same as East German, Czech or Yugo refurbs. Sometimes the dirty birds are peened, sometimes maker codes are ground off(not on Russians), stocks are incorrect, some late war barrelled actions have pre-war stocks, bayonet lugs, and spring type barrel bands etc. They are great shooters and some day may be collectible if present interest in German Mausers continues. There is nothing wrong with swapping parts around to get a historically correct rifle as long as you don't misrepresent it as original. My 2 cents.
 
RC, to me, are correct in their own way. There is no way a RC being pulled out of a Soviet surplus crate full of them can be a faked rifle. You know every part, one way or another, was used in action or obtained from German depots just behind the lines during WW2.

They ARE the genuine articles from WW2.

You never know but maybe your RC has a part on her that saw the unmatched brutal action of Stalingrad. Perhaps the end of the war in Berlin ?

Just take a look at "Mitchell's Mausers" and then give your RC Kar98k a good hug knowing she wasn't butchered that way.
 
Nabs said:
Just take a look at "Mitchell's Mausers" and then give your RC Kar98k a good hug knowing she wasn't butchered that way.
Click to expand...

The dreaded Russian Belt Sander Sound and sawdust flying from the stock! The Stench of the RC Hot Dip! The Ground shaking like an earthquake from the Russian electropencil! lol

....the horror, the horror......
 
I know, it makes a collector today cringe knowing what the Soviets did to refurbish these rifles. Some are better done than others it seems so there did not appear to be a universal refurbishment plan floating around. It looks like the workers were simply told "Take these rifles apart, inspect them, and rebuild them with what ever parts work from the pile".

I am thankful they did not grind off the maker marks...etc. Too many historical beauties have been violated this way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom