Price thoughts

[Scooby]

I need some help here. I have run across 98k that I need some thoughts on. A buddy of mine down at the local gun shop has a Mauser for sale. I have yet to see it, but here is how he described it.

Vet bring back with no import marks or duffle cut.
Sauer 1938 all matching except bolt, bolt is all matching but not to the rifle. It has a correct sling that is to be in VG to Exc condition. The stock is walnut and has the curved butt plate (not cupped). It is missing the bayonet lug, but has a cleaning rod. It retains 90%+ blueing.

I haven’t seen it yet but I trust this guy, so I feel what he tells me is honest (we buy stuff for each other all the time and trade in parts). He wants $400 for it and I will, no doubt, buy it. What is this rifle worth? I have to get a good look at it, I know, but it sounds to be a fair price. Please give me your thoughts on the rifle.

[bodes]

I need some help here. I have run across 98k that I need some thoughts on. A buddy of mine down at the local gun shop has a Mauser for sale. I have yet to see it, but here is how he described it.

Vet bring back with no import marks or duffle cut.
Sauer 1938 all matching except bolt, bolt is all matching but not to the rifle. It has a correct sling that is to be in VG to Exc condition. The stock is walnut and has the curved butt plate (not cupped). It is missing the bayonet lug, but has a cleaning rod. It retains 90%+ blueing.

I haven’t seen it yet but I trust this guy, so I feel what he tells me is honest (we buy stuff for each other all the time and trade in parts). He wants $400 for it and I will, no doubt, buy it. What is this rifle worth? I have to get a good look at it, I know, but it sounds to be a fair price. Please give me your thoughts on the rifle.

Chris, Value lies in the eye of the beholder.....IF you were fortunate enough to have it being complete and matching, it would easily command 3X the asking price......A bayonet lug is no big to do, as long as the end of the stock hasn't been messed up.....Bayonet lug just sits on the end on the stock, held in by a pin.....As long as it in very nice condition, I'd say the asking price is fair.......Bodes

[Bob in OH]

Well, I generall agree that 400 ++/-- is a fair price. Problem is, the condition of the piece is really not known... If it's really a bolt m/m, unmessed with wood, and complete is certainly worth 400. Yet, missing the bayo lug suggests some post war work which might hurt depending on what you're after... Naturally, in '38...the lugs were numbered to the rifle...

[bodes]

Well, I generall agree that 400 ++/-- is a fair price. Problem is, the condition of the piece is really not known... If it's really a bolt m/m, unmessed with wood, and complete is certainly worth 400. Yet, missing the bayo lug suggests some post war work which might hurt depending on what you're after... Naturally, in '38...the lugs were numbered to the rifle...

I agree with Bob......I stated it wasn't a bad price if it is in very nice condition, but should've included "untouched" condition......The bayonet lug being mis-matched is no biggy as long as the wood hardware hasn't been sanded.....The weapon has a m/m bolt any way..... IF the wood is indeed severely altered, I personally would rather save a few more dollars and look for a collector's grade K98k.....Bodes

[Matt Weber]

Christopher,

I agree with Bodes, and Bob here. The price seems fair for what it is. It really depends on what you want?

If you are looking for an all matching rifle, then this isn't it. If you are happy with a very nice MM rifle, then perhaps this would be a good buy for you.

Matt

[Scooby]

Well, over the Christmas break I got to go over it with a fine-toothed comb. It is a Sauer 1939. The stamps are very crisp on the metal. It is all matching, save the bolt. The bolt is all matching, but not to the rifle. The both pieces of the stock are matched to the rifle and have a very clear purpley, blue ink stamp in both pieces. The stock itself is in great condition. It appears to be a laminate stock, but the butt plate is not cupped? The butt plate is matched to the rifle and Waffenampt. The screws are even numbered with the last two digits of the serial number. It has no suffix in the serial number. It does have a bayonet lug, but it is in the white??? It was missing the pin that retains the lug. The blueing is 95% plus. It is truly beautiful. I have heard that GI s would grab a captured rifle from a pile and a bolt from another pile and slap them together to bring home. No sight hood. I stripped the bolt and the firing pin looks brand new. The bore is mirror bright with excellent rifling and no dark spots. No cleaning rod, and the front sight is not cut for a hood (that is correct for this year?). What I am puzzled about is the stock. As stated it appears to be a very light color wood laminate, with a flat (early war) butt plate. The stock and plate are matching to the rifle. Is this right? I thought laminates had cupped butt plates and came out a bit later in the war. It has three eagle stamps below the bolt take-down disk. and has an eagle on the palm of the stock. His price is still $400, but we are dealing and haggling. I have him down to $250 and an old Enfield No. 4. I like a lot about this rifle and will get it, but what about the stock. Also included is an original sling with Waffenampts.
<O
Thoughts on the stock?
<O
PS: Matt, still working on those pics! Busy Holiday!

[James Purnell]

Sounds like a nice and correct but bolt 39 Sauer. The bayonet lug should be in the white. These were later blued by the Germans. The stock should have a flat buttplate. Most manufactures of the 98 rifle didn't change to the cupped buttplate until early 1941. The lack of grooves on the front sight base is also correct for your rifle, another change adopted later in production. At 400.00 the rifle as you describe it is priced fairly and I wouldn't extend the negotiation process any longer than necessary. Many collectors would be happy to walk right up and pay that price for this rifle.

Jim

[sszza2]

I agree with Jim. In a market that sees $500+ dollars payed for pimpshined RCs - $400 for a correct (but bolt and bayo lug) '38 Sauer is very fair. Snap it up.

Scott B

[Scooby]

Got it!

It know resides at home! I traded an O/O 12 ga worth $300 and an junker .22 mag I got for free from a guy worth about $75. I put 5 rounds through it and seems to shoot an inch high at 100yds.

Thanks for all the imput.

Christopher