Milsurp values?
- Thread starter Rugdoc
- Start date
im not an expert in any sense of my imagination, but i just picked up an 1918 m96 swede for 575$ with some ammo and clips. its in really good shape and fires like a dream. mine is carl gustaf with all numbers matching and wood in excellent shape. hope that helps you a bit.
Was just going to say the same...Gun Show + $200-$300 = EE
Its really hard to give a ballpark prices based just on models you are asking about. K31 can be 700, it can also be over a grand. Depending on condition and goodies it comes with. RC 98's go for around 650-1100. Again, price will depend on condition, state of "de-nazification", year, presence/absence of assesories etc. For example, I paid 550 for my bush gun I use during WW2 reenactment. 1944 made in Czech, dinged up with dark bore and 1100 for mostly matching 1938 with bright bore, no RC X's, mostly matching German made one. Non RC price range can be between 1500 and god knows how much, I've seen people asking 3500-4000. Sometimes people score really nice specimens at gun shows. A friend was looking for RC 98 to use for reenactment but ended up walking away with all matching verified Mosin sniper for 700 but that does not happen often. Most people know what they are selling.
Shouldn't have a problem snagging a good condition m38 or 96 for around $450, but probably not at a gun show.
They really are the best "bang for your buck" milsurp these days. The rest on your list are all over the place for prices, i don't bother trying to keep up to date.
I've only been shooting for 7 years and the prices have really gotten high on most stuff.
One thing to keep in mind is to make sure the wood has not been refinished. That really hurts the collector value.
I don't know where these guys at gun shows (especially, but also on the EE) get off trying to sell refinished milsurps for crazy prices.
They really are the best "bang for your buck" milsurp these days. The rest on your list are all over the place for prices, i don't bother trying to keep up to date.
I've only been shooting for 7 years and the prices have really gotten high on most stuff.
One thing to keep in mind is to make sure the wood has not been refinished. That really hurts the collector value.
I don't know where these guys at gun shows (especially, but also on the EE) get off trying to sell refinished milsurps for crazy prices.
Last edited:
Its pretty common to see over priced items when it comes to surplus stores and gun shows. Sellers put a price tag and hope somebody who doesnt know any better will buy it. I visited couple of surplus stores today, looking to replace my gortex set. Saw repro WW2 German stalhelm for 599. Seller swore it was real. Also saw original K98 bayonet in less than good condition - 275. Best deal in town they said... Oh yea, first gen of ECWCS pants was 180 bucks at one of the stores. Guy was even willing to drop couple of bucks ofd. Told him it was worth 60 tops, he got upset... I ended up picking up the same thing at another store for whooping 22 dollars.
Last edited:
To answer the OP's question, $8k to $11k depending on condition and accessories.
An unmolested k98 will be anywhere from $2-5k. That's the most expensive.
As others have said Swedish Mausers offer best value right now, well built and fantastic shooters. I personally have had good luck in finding milsurps at gun shows for a reasonable price but I've only gone to a few shows.
When you think about it milsurps are cheap. A modern firearm made of all wood and steel with milled parts will sell for way higher. They aren't making any more of these old milsurps anymore. All it takes is another popular war movie or video game, or youtube personage to get prices moving again.
Is the Calgary gun show the one you are going to?
An unmolested k98 will be anywhere from $2-5k. That's the most expensive.
As others have said Swedish Mausers offer best value right now, well built and fantastic shooters. I personally have had good luck in finding milsurps at gun shows for a reasonable price but I've only gone to a few shows.
When you think about it milsurps are cheap. A modern firearm made of all wood and steel with milled parts will sell for way higher. They aren't making any more of these old milsurps anymore. All it takes is another popular war movie or video game, or youtube personage to get prices moving again.
Is the Calgary gun show the one you are going to?
EE price as a baseline depending on condition and other factor like condition, date and place of manufacture, other model specific collectors preferences, etc...
Swiss K31 700-900$
SMLE # 1 Mk III 650-900$
LE # 4 Mk I 650-900$
RC K98 700-1300$
Genuine German K98 1000-3000$
M96 Swede Mauser ?
M38 Swede Mauser ?
US Model of 1917 600-900$
My 2 cents worth, it depends on your area. Sure, some gun show stuff is overpriced but bear in mind a lot of the guys will dicker and you don't pay sales tax. My own experience is prices vary from region to region. At the last Orangeville show, a young guy bought a nice (but not spectacular) Long Branch #4 and paid $1200. I guess because of the regional connection, Long Branch rifles command a premium. A good move would be to ensure you have some paper and pen, walk around and look at what's available and the prices. Keep track of who you'd like to talk to again and see what kind of deals you can strike. Some of the vendors are, quite frankly, a-holes and won't flex or deal at all. Some of the old guys I think aren't there to do business at all but just to hang around with buddies.
I found it to be the exact opposite most of the time in my experience. I've found many great deals at gun shows, and waving cash under a sellers nose goes a long way.
While there are some good deals here on the EE, they go extremely fast,and overpriced stuff is the norm.
I
- Location
- West Quebec
agreed,,,,
Good deals are where you find them.
The advantage gun shows have is twofold - you can examine in detail and up close; you can negotiate price face to face.
An owner has a perfect right to be unreasonable on price. You don't have to buy and they don't have to sell.
While I see the occasional bargain on the EE, most guns are full ticket or more. There is always the optimistic description of condition to deal with on the EE too.
The advantage gun shows have is twofold - you can examine in detail and up close; you can negotiate price face to face.
An owner has a perfect right to be unreasonable on price. You don't have to buy and they don't have to sell.
While I see the occasional bargain on the EE, most guns are full ticket or more. There is always the optimistic description of condition to deal with on the EE too.
I was recently at my first gun show and I thought all prices were quite high compared to EE except for 1 table where the guy had reasonable prices on his guns. While I was there he sold one and some accessories. The entire time I was at the show I only saw 1 other person purchase a gun at 60+ tables.
The major tip off for prices were the very dated price stickers or cards attached to each gun, some of them looked like they were written in 1995. I got the distinct impression that nobody there was really interested in turning over their inventory or selling their guns except at very high prices. I can understand this to a point, maybe they are collectors looking to offload some guns but for a serious dealer they need to move product and purchase product to keep things moving and not end up with stale dated inventory.
The major tip off for prices were the very dated price stickers or cards attached to each gun, some of them looked like they were written in 1995. I got the distinct impression that nobody there was really interested in turning over their inventory or selling their guns except at very high prices. I can understand this to a point, maybe they are collectors looking to offload some guns but for a serious dealer they need to move product and purchase product to keep things moving and not end up with stale dated inventory.
If I could find an unmolested K98 for $900 it would be a small miracle.
And I have been searching for years.
Another thing to consider about prices in general at gun shows, is that a lot of vendors are "older" and may not use the Internet. They often price their stuff based off what other vendors at the show are asking.
I've inquired about guns with no prices before the doors open, only to be told "I'm not sure what I'm asking yet, I'm going to to walk around and check other prices".
I've inquired about guns with no prices before the doors open, only to be told "I'm not sure what I'm asking yet, I'm going to to walk around and check other prices".
