Mint K98 search

A

albertacowboy

CGN Regular
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Thanks to several CGN sellers, I now have my desired mint milsurp collection of M1 Garand and 3 Lee-Enfields- SMLE, Long Branch No. 4, and Faz No.4 Mk. 2.

The last rifle I plan to add is a mint pre-1943 K98 with original markings, milled furniture, and matching barrel/bolt/receiver, but herein is the problem. I would like a mint example in 8X57 Mauser and am willing to wait and search, but the only nice ones I see are the Portuguese contracts at around $2000 plus. Another option is a Norwegian .30-'06, many of which are in nice shape. Although they may be good shooters, I don't want a Russian Capture.

Are there any nice 8X57 ones out there at the $1000 level, or should I look for a Norwegian model, or just save up for a Portuguese model? I like the last option best, but it is a lot of money for me.

All opinions appreciated.

All the best from the West,
Albertacowboy
 
Just wait , go to gun shows and get one in the original caliber , not much point adding a post war conversion rifle to to strict World War II rifle collection , I've seen really nice examples of german wwII mausers for good prices at my local shows.
 
Some of the East German ones were sure nice, I used to own one that had excellent metal work and bluing in a nice re-finished stock. Also some of the Yugo refurbs are also in good shape, look at what Trade-Ex is offering before they all disappear.
 
Unless you buy a Port you aren't likely to find a "mint" K98k for sale. All of the German and Czech production was issued and used, some more than others. IMO a Port isn't worth $2K plus unless it was issued to a German unit as some were and then it won't be mint. You should be able to come up with a matching German rifle for less than that. Be patient.
 
Mike Webb said:
Unless you buy a Port you aren't likely to find a "mint" K98k for sale. All of the German and Czech production was issued and used, some more than others. IMO a Port isn't worth $2K plus unless it was issued to a German unit as some were and then it won't be mint. You should be able to come up with a matching German rifle for less than that. Be patient.
Click to expand...

There's still a lot of cherry German coded K98k's available in the United States for collectors if they choose to import. This of course requires a great deal of patience and commitment to research before buying as there would be no possible return policy. I understand many people are hesitant to go this route and it poses a few potential problems from an investment point of few. I think this route has both pros and cons.

I feel the Pork K98k's have been overvalued on CGN and in Canada for a long time. These are the most common non-refurb wartime K98's in Canada because so many were imported in mint condition after the war. I'm not sure they will sustain the asking prices we've seen on the EE in the last few years as more surface as collectibles and most of the K98k collectors I know already have one or several with matching bayonets. I could be wrong on this as they are simply the most convenient option for collectors to obtain here.

Albertacowboy are you looking for a collectible rifle to put away as an investment or something to shoot? If searching for a shooter, I second what mkrnel has said about either a nice East German or Yugo re-build. There have been some nice original K98k's on the EE lately for under $1000 but due to some minor issues it seems most people are snubbing their nose at them despite offering a good value.

-Steve
 
Not true, I own mint k98ks in Canada, but they aren't for sale.

Unless it's a woodwork find, you won't see a matching german k98k in Canada for less then $2k. If you see one at all, they will be more then that is wager. I know I would ask more for mine.....

Even in the USA, the have gone up.
 
As others have said, unless by some miracle you find a mint, matching K98k out of the woodwork, you won't find one for 1k or less. Importing one out of the US is possible as Steve mentioned but the cost, even for a common code, is going to be well over 2k after import, exchange, shipping, and duty. More likely close to 3k if you're looking for something a little more uncommon. Prices are steadily rising in the US and mint examples are in high demand.

The market and interest in matching originals here in Canada seems to have taken a big hit recently but I don't think any one is going to be letting go of any of their mint or high condition K98k's for less than US values though. A Port might be your best bet really unless you want to go with a refurb of some sort. 2k for a Port might seem a lot but IMHO that isn't a bad value for what you're getting.

And as always feel free to contact either myself or CanadianAR if you have any questions as to if a rifle is legit or not.
 
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