Kar 98A - what am I looking at?

[RangeRover]

Had a quick glance at a Kar 98 this week, and am intrigued enough to see if the current owner is interested in selling, but need some pointers from those who know.

Rifle appears to be complete, but stock is (duffle?) cut/repaired. Couldn't find a serial on the bolt (flattened bolthead), but numbers on the rest of the metal seemed to match (I only had a minute). Should the wood be serialed? Single date only - 1916. Some very light corrosion on the metal. First one I've seen in the flesh, so am curious about (a) values - what's the floor price for complete Kar 98a rifles with problems and (b) just how common/uncommon are the carbines in the wild these days?

Thanks.

 

[JTF#]

better with a pic.

 

[Nabs]

but stock is (duffle?) cut/repaired

Was the duffel cut noticeable or hidden under the lower band ?

Couldn't find a serial on the bolt (flattened bolthead)

The serial number should be on the root of the bolt handle. The inside of the bent handle (a round curved 90 degree) should be checkered. The underside of the bolt body should have the fire proof acceptance (eagle, lion, or antlers depending on the German state of issue).

Should the wood be serialed?

Originally, yes. The underside of the hand guard will have the full serial number minus suffix letters as will the bed of the fore end. The bottom of the butt stock, just behind the pistol grip, will have the serial number minus suffix letters as well as three or four inspection marks. The butt plate will also have a serial number on it minus suffix letter.

Single date only - 1916

Was it Erfurt made ? Erfurt would likely be the most common as they had nearly 1000 carbines come out per day in 1916-1917 making it the more common of the Kar 98s I have seen.

what's the floor price for complete Kar 98a rifles with problems

From what I have seen and experienced at gun shows, I would say a rough $400-500 mark as a complete Kar 98 would likely be worth that in parts alone. Remember, many of the parts of the Kar 98 are not interchangeable with the Gew 98. Only Poland made a derivative of the Kar 98 that is very close in resemblance but I am told is not always interchangeable with the German made examples. At the end of the day, what would matter to me is if the carbine is a parts gun or something I could work on to restore to shooting condition again.

just how common/uncommon are the carbines in the wild these days?

They are not as common as K31s or Mosins but not as rare as a 1907 Mosin nagant carbine. I would say the common maker is Erfurt followed by Danzig, Spandau and finally Amberg.

 

[RangeRover]

JTF...wasn't in a position to grab any photos, so no help there.

Nabs...thanks for the info. Sadly, the cut is further back in the stock, near the stock bolt, so very, very noticeable, and, yes, Erfurt made. This is not a pristine example by any stretch, but I doubt the seller would part with it for what it would appear to be worth, based on condition. I am at least better informed in what to look for. I'll do some more research and we'll see where this goes.

 

[Lee Enfield]

What would you price a matching (right down to the screws) 1915 erfurt?

I'd say an honest 50% finish and bore worn