The hunt for a K98....

Slug870

Slug870

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Good day Gentlemen,

I am looking for a bit of advice and perhaps even some guidance here in my quest to find a rifle which I have been after for many years. As I am quite unfamiliar with the in depth ins and outs of buying milsurp rifles, I was hoping somebody could provide me with the assistance I require.

I am looking for a German Kar98 Mauser 1940-1944, all original, matching and all markings intact (no peening etc). Given the fact that there are so many refurbs, bubbas, mismatches etc out there, I am having difficulty finding a source for this rifle; or even a starting point for that matter.

As this rifle is one that I have wanted for many years, I do not wish to "settle" for one that is "good enough". I want to do the leg work necessary and end up with what will undoubtedly be the prize of my collection. Therefore, I am asking for help from anyone who is willing, in order to properly research, locate and purchase the rifle I am hoping to find.

If you are able to lend a hand in any way, please drop me a pm; it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 
What condition are you looking for it to be in???

Finding one with all matching accessories is almost as rare as hen's teeth.

Be prepared to sign over the rights of your first born, financially as well.

If you're looking for "a deal" on one, again, rare as hen's teeth.

I can't believe that Mausers I used to pick up for $10 new in the crate are now worth up to $2000 to the right person, depending on maker of course.

An all matching vet bring back Kar98 in 90+% condition can run as high as $1500.

If I hadn't seen it happening I wouldn't have believed it.

Matching K98s in decent shape are getting extremely popular and highly desireable to have in a collection. Especially German manufactured Kar98s from WWII.
 
Be aware of fakes. Mitchells isnt the only one out there. Make sure the WaA's match the factory they are from, and are present in the right places. Also take a look closely at the bolt. Since most were mismatched, this is the likely place to find people trying to forcematch by grinding and using a punch.

Closely inspect the area around the numbers for a difference in finish, and the typical grinding marks.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, so you really need to research before you buy. Or you will be out $1500+ with a non matching rifle.

At some point you will settle. As mentioned above, a complete matching vet bring back with papers is a rare find.
 
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Hi Slug870,

I think there's no real easy answer to that question.

Checking local gunstores, gunshows, and online dealers who sell high end milsurps will improve your odds of a random find. However, there is no way of knowing when a store or dealer may list one for sale and they usually sell very fast. To date, my WTB add on the EE hasn't received a single offer, although I've heard some people have gotten lucky.

Networking threw friends and fellow collectors is probably your best chance. If you have some other rare milsurps to offer in trade it would probably be more tempting than simply offering cash.

The 1938 Luftwaffe 98k I got last week came from a local collector and good friend. It took months of us debating what the gun was worth and me finding some quality trade items as he absolutely would not sell for cash.

Every deal is different, and sometimes you just get lucky. If you keep looking I'm sure you'll find something good. As Danny mentioned, make sure you're prepared when one is offered and do your homework in advance! The U.S. market is a lot more dangerous for fakes if you plan on importing, be extra careful if shopping there.

-Steve
 
Ah ha! Now we know why the market price is the way it is. I could spend months in that warehouse, never seeing the light of day, inspecting all those rifles.

Everyone, it is time to raid Coyote ugly's house, "With me men, over the top!".
 
Slug870 said:
Good day Gentlemen,

I am looking for a bit of advice and perhaps even some guidance here in my quest to find a rifle which I have been after for many years. As I am quite unfamiliar with the in depth ins and outs of buying milsurp rifles, I was hoping somebody could provide me with the assistance I require.

I am looking for a German Kar98 Mauser 1940-1944, all original, matching and all markings intact (no peening etc). Given the fact that there are so many refurbs, bubbas, mismatches etc out there, I am having difficulty finding a source for this rifle; or even a starting point for that matter.

As this rifle is one that I have wanted for many years, I do not wish to "settle" for one that is "good enough". I want to do the leg work necessary and end up with what will undoubtedly be the prize of my collection. Therefore, I am asking for help from anyone who is willing, in order to properly research, locate and purchase the rifle I am hoping to find.

If you are able to lend a hand in any way, please drop me a pm; it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Click to expand...

LOL - you and everyone else here.

As a reference, two such rifles sold at P&S three weeks ago for $1850 each. A third where someone carved their name into the side of the stock, but otherwise perfect, sold for $1600 after being listed for only 2 days.

In other words, IF you should find one, expect to pay close to $2K at this point.
 
To get a WWII all original K98 with all the markings you would have to look a long time. But then collecting is a patience game.
May I suggest a 1941 Portuguese K98.
I was just lucky finding my mint condition 1941 Portuguese K98 again.
I wasn't really interested in it when it was traded to me years ago. My friend and I used to run the Riverview gun show for 17 years and I got it in a trade. At that time I was into Black Rifles or Black powder guns, and it didn't interest me. I traded it to a gentleman from Quebec who was set up at the show, I believe it went to Quebec. The next year (late 80's) the gentleman or someone in his group came back to the show, and sold it when the doors opened on Saturday morning. Years later I really regretted selling it, when I took an interest in Mausers. One day I got a call from a gunsmith who told me a customer of his wanted to sell a Mauser. I called the gentleman and visited his house, he showed me the gun and it was my 1941 Portuguese Mauser.
For me its 99% luck, and having an idea what I am looking for. Lots of times what you are looking for is just under your nose.
If you have lots of friends in the firearms community and it appears you do, or soon will. This is probably the best networking you could ask for.
I think I got carried away and I talked too long, didn't I?
 
I don't think your hope is out of order. You will need patience, a generous bankroll, and knowledge to get exactly what you want though. Start with a copy of Backbone of the Wehrmacht which is the K98 bible, and get to know exactly what you are looking for. Then, you can begin your well educated search. If you have lots of cash, you could look in the states, too, and import the right gun. Otherwise, you will need that patience I mentioned earlier. Good luck, have fun. The search is the second best part of collecting, right after finding your elusive target!
 
Our brothers in the south can also hook you up with a nice matching K98.

Even with the cost and work to import, it is still about the same or cheaper to do it this way :). Look and ye shall find!
 
Thank you all for the replies thus far. I have just ordered the Backbone of the Wehrmacht and I've received some great assistance via pm. With any luck, I will stumble onto the right rifle in due time.

Cheers!
 
BBOTW is far from the K98 bible as it's pretty dated and not really the best book out there as it dealt mainly with one collection that had several fake and fraud rifles in it. High and Low serial number ranges observed have changed. Although it has lots of great pictures and other information.
It has it's limitations.

If one good thing did come out of BBOTW, it's this:
There were cases where unscrupulous people were humping these K98 rifles after the book came out and followed what the data sheets said in the BBOTW book, only to learn that much of the data was wrong after they put the rifle up for sale!
 
BBOTW is stil lthe best reference for pre-1944 rifles. There's a much better reference out there for the late-war guns (Kriegsmodell is the name of the book) and the same authors are going to do a pre-1944 reference as well, but I don't think it's put yet. When available, it will make BBOTW obsolete IMHO.
 
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