Mauser K98 Check

[TP1953]

Hello, I am strongly considering purchasing this 1943 German K98k, but I wanted to hear all of your opinions. I would like to know if it is a fair price, and if everything looks legit about it, it is listed at about $1,200. Thank you

This is their description of the Rifle.

"For sale is a K98k made by Mauser Borsigwalde in 1943. The rifle is in nice condition overall. The metal has a greyed finish with spots of some bluing visible. The stock has plenty of dings and nicks but no major breaks. There is a crack stemming from the trigger guard on the left side about 2 inches in length. The rifle has matching serial numbers visible throughout but the bolt has been re-numbered to match. The stock and handguard are matching internally. The bore is bright towards the beginning but gets darker towards the muzzle. The front sight hood is a reproduction."

[mauser9]

Well I have read the AR code Borsigwalde rifles are harder to come by. A shame concerning the crack but may be repairable for shooting. Gun looks pretty decent and not reblued from here. Milled front band is correct for 43. Russian Captures are fetching $700-900 often these days and are usually a mix-match of parts and the bolt does not match. The 26 stamping is correct. I have a 1940 243 code Borsigwalde with the same 26 no. Always great to see another from that maker. Might want to check over on K98k Forum for more info.

[TP1953]

Thank you, but do you mean that the crack in the stock wouldn’t allow it to fire? Or is it just a purely cosmetic issue? And sorry, I am not too well versed in German guns at the moment, is this a Russian captured one?

[mauser9]

Was concerned the crack could get worse with firing the rifle concerning recoil. I would check into repairing the stock myself as the original matching stock adds value to the rifle. Often russian capture guns have an X stamped on the receiver area or what looks like an X but I cannot see one on your example. Often bringback 98ks are known to have mis-matched bolts also. No great expert myself but have learned a lot over on K98k Forum. Again might check there too for more info.

[AndyB]

1200 for not origin finish and some cracks?, i would personally look for other rifle. The finish on majority of parts is not corect, same as i assume the bolt is not period, but was force matched, minimum the end parts are from different bolt and mostly the safety could be even postwar. By searching only a shooter should be RC reworks much cheaper. The buttstock was sanded on edges.

[TP1953]

So what would be a more fair price? I probably wouldn’t be shooting it much at all, more of a wall hanger that I could go shoot one afternoon. And do you know any other good websites to buy a Kar98k? Any recommendations?

[mauser9]

Tell the truth sounds more like a $600 rifle. You might check out K98k Fourm for an honest example in the Trader Section. Knowledgeable and honest folks over there that will sell you a decent 98k. Couple of members like Steves and Karam that have written books on the 98k rifles. Sounds like you would be satisfied with a "capture" rifle even with a mis-matched bolt for use as a shooter. Third Reich guns can be a minefield as so many dishonest and altered guns out there because of their high value. Not sure what your price limit is but might be able to buy for under $1200 for sure. All matching 98k unmessed with can go as high as $2500-3000 depending on rarity and maker. BYF44 guns are the most common.

[TheGoon]

Depending on where your located I find the prices are always different, here in Canada a russian capture rifle can range anywhere from 900-1300, anything below that is very hard to find these days. At the end of the day it's whatever you want to spend and what it's worth to you and as mauser9 said the maker is more uncommon which is nice. Is it a high end collectable K98? No, is it a good shooter? Sure is.

[TP1953]

Thank you all for helping, I will have to give it some thought.