Question about a K88 Sniper clone
- Thread starter COTTON095
- Start date
You need to be extremely careful when it comes to "original" parts.
I don't know if they're still available but new made parts, supposedly made on original equipment and stamped with recent made punches were available at cheap prices appx 20 years ago.
I've used these parts to build several rifles up to resemble clones. I was always careful to make sure the rifles I used could be recognized as clones but some I've seen out there would be hard to identify.
The average selling price on those rifles was around $1200. The recent offerings I've seen don't sell for more than $1500.
Depending on the condition of that M1 Garand, it sounds to me like the trade would be lopsided and not in your favor.
Period scopes, that are still serviceable or repairable can be a challenge as well.
You don't mention what type of scope and mounts are being offered.
There was a a very small and extremely difficult to sight in Long Eye Relief ZF41 type that may have been more of a hindrance than an aid. They came in couple of different types of mounts. IMHO, these were issued to designated marksmen, rather than snipers.
Then there is the ZF4, a square bodied type that needs a special bracket and base.
There were turret type mounts and quick remove side mounts and several different types of scopes.
Word is that there are only a few complete/verified WWII sniper rifles in existence.
My average received for
I don't know if they're still available but new made parts, supposedly made on original equipment and stamped with recent made punches were available at cheap prices appx 20 years ago.
I've used these parts to build several rifles up to resemble clones. I was always careful to make sure the rifles I used could be recognized as clones but some I've seen out there would be hard to identify.
The average selling price on those rifles was around $1200. The recent offerings I've seen don't sell for more than $1500.
Depending on the condition of that M1 Garand, it sounds to me like the trade would be lopsided and not in your favor.
Period scopes, that are still serviceable or repairable can be a challenge as well.
You don't mention what type of scope and mounts are being offered.
There was a a very small and extremely difficult to sight in Long Eye Relief ZF41 type that may have been more of a hindrance than an aid. They came in couple of different types of mounts. IMHO, these were issued to designated marksmen, rather than snipers.
Then there is the ZF4, a square bodied type that needs a special bracket and base.
There were turret type mounts and quick remove side mounts and several different types of scopes.
Word is that there are only a few complete/verified WWII sniper rifles in existence.
My average received for
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
As mentioned, K98 sniper rifles are far too easily copied to be verified or authenticated. Somewhere I saw mention that there were more marked SS rune K98s now than were ever issued in WW2. Your H&R is a desirable rifle, especially in the US. Border issues aside, there aren't many of them anywhere. I'd walk away from the offer.
For the record, I once traded a Springfield wartime M1 for a 1944 G43. I think I got the better $$ value out of the deal, but not the shooting value. It has been a bear to get running properly and reliably.
For the record, I once traded a Springfield wartime M1 for a 1944 G43. I think I got the better $$ value out of the deal, but not the shooting value. It has been a bear to get running properly and reliably.
A paragraph from sniper on the eastern front. THE MEMOIRS OF SEPP ALLERBERGER KNIGHTS CROSS.
To minimize the risk of capture they had to do everything they could to avoid confrontation. This made long-distance weapons like Sepp's carbine with it's telescopic sight superfluous. In addition, it was clear that hanging on to his marksman's rifle would have placed him in serious danger if he was caught-the fate of captured soldiers identified as marksmen was well known. Reluctantly, therefore, he realized that he would have to destroy his weapon and depend instead on a pistol and MP40. He went to an assault gun that stood nearby, with many Landsers perched all over it ready to try to break through to the west. "Wait a moment", he said to the driver, who was looking out of his hatch. I want to put my carbine under you tracks so that it's really ruined. He pushed the butt under the left track and stood up and waved to the driver. All right you can start. The motor roared into life and the tank lurched forward. It's tracks grasped the stock of the carbine. Wood splintered and metal screeched on metal. With a dull bang the lenses of the telescopic site burst. Then the carbine completely disappeared beneath the tracks. Seconds latter a scattering of smashed pieces appeared behind the tank. Though his weapon had been just a tool, it was still a tough moment for him.
With a handful of exceptions all German marksmen destroyed their weapons either at the end of the war or before they were captured, and for this reason original marksman's rifles are extraordinarily rare today.
To minimize the risk of capture they had to do everything they could to avoid confrontation. This made long-distance weapons like Sepp's carbine with it's telescopic sight superfluous. In addition, it was clear that hanging on to his marksman's rifle would have placed him in serious danger if he was caught-the fate of captured soldiers identified as marksmen was well known. Reluctantly, therefore, he realized that he would have to destroy his weapon and depend instead on a pistol and MP40. He went to an assault gun that stood nearby, with many Landsers perched all over it ready to try to break through to the west. "Wait a moment", he said to the driver, who was looking out of his hatch. I want to put my carbine under you tracks so that it's really ruined. He pushed the butt under the left track and stood up and waved to the driver. All right you can start. The motor roared into life and the tank lurched forward. It's tracks grasped the stock of the carbine. Wood splintered and metal screeched on metal. With a dull bang the lenses of the telescopic site burst. Then the carbine completely disappeared beneath the tracks. Seconds latter a scattering of smashed pieces appeared behind the tank. Though his weapon had been just a tool, it was still a tough moment for him.
With a handful of exceptions all German marksmen destroyed their weapons either at the end of the war or before they were captured, and for this reason original marksman's rifles are extraordinarily rare today.
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original rifle vs original sniper rifle? matching? code, markings?
original 1930's hunting scope vs original military scope? maker, type, markings, condition?
scope mount???
You need to provide pictures as any of these things could make it a gem or a lemon.
original 1930's hunting scope vs original military scope? maker, type, markings, condition?
scope mount???
You need to provide pictures as any of these things could make it a gem or a lemon.
Coyote Ugly
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Without lots of detailed pics you may be getting a RC K98 with a Cheap/Junk Chinese Repro Scope and Mount. Until you know what it is, don't deal anything.
The OP already knows the rifle is a clone with what he assumes are original parts.
Some of these clones can be done very well.
The information he leaves out, which we can't comment on are the type of mounts, scope, etc.
Around 1970, I purchased a crate of K98 Mausers with the side mount on the rear sight base, for one of those ZF41 type scopes. The rifles were late war, 1943 production, that had been issued and somewhere along the line stripped of their scopes, before going into the crate.
I bought them from International Firearms out of Montreal. The gave me a deal that day, because I purchased 50 Mauser 98K rifles, all matching #, VG-EXC condition overall, $17 each, delivered. Getting up $850 at that time was a stretch for me. I was making $2.25/hour, which was better than average for non skilled labor at the time.
One of those rifles today would easily bring close to $2k.
IMHO, a clone would likely bubba what might have been a decent, collectible firearm, worth a lot less than that not easily come by M1 Garand.
Hopefully he's not looking at this deal as trading up.
On the other hand, he doesn't describe the condition of his Garand either. It may be a fair trade, when all things are considered.
Some of these clones can be done very well.
The information he leaves out, which we can't comment on are the type of mounts, scope, etc.
Around 1970, I purchased a crate of K98 Mausers with the side mount on the rear sight base, for one of those ZF41 type scopes. The rifles were late war, 1943 production, that had been issued and somewhere along the line stripped of their scopes, before going into the crate.
I bought them from International Firearms out of Montreal. The gave me a deal that day, because I purchased 50 Mauser 98K rifles, all matching #, VG-EXC condition overall, $17 each, delivered. Getting up $850 at that time was a stretch for me. I was making $2.25/hour, which was better than average for non skilled labor at the time.
One of those rifles today would easily bring close to $2k.
IMHO, a clone would likely bubba what might have been a decent, collectible firearm, worth a lot less than that not easily come by M1 Garand.
Hopefully he's not looking at this deal as trading up.
On the other hand, he doesn't describe the condition of his Garand either. It may be a fair trade, when all things are considered.
Like others have said, it all depends on the condition and quality of the parts. I am currently in the process of making a K98 sniper clone. The scope I have chosen is an original wartime production and marked Ajack scope. I could have saved myself a far chunk of money if I
had chosen a period correct commercial scope.
had chosen a period correct commercial scope.
