K98 snipers, Values? and how to spot fakes?

[tankdriver]

Originally posted by Matt Weber
I was at the Louisville show last year, and there was one guy (can't remember name?

had a table full of snipers (k98s, G43s, even a G41!). when my friend CJ, came up to look at them with me, and informed me that this guy was an expert faker of German snipers!

but probably should have paid more attention and looked all of them over really good like you said. (but I didn't think of it at the time?! ) If I see that guy again, I'll definately look through his stuff with a fine tooth comb!

the asking price on the single claw "bnz 44" was $4,000

Matt

Matt I saw the guy and he will be there again this year more than likely. He is good enough to not mix mounts like the one I saw at the gun show. You were too pissed to look after your friend warned you about him. Before Louisville, read all you can and then see what you can find wrong with the ones you look at. Play detective. Also remember that you could find a correct one. At a little gun shop in West Tennessee a guy had a like new M1C that he had a price of 2,400.00 on. He told me do not let the price scare me, he would come down. I got it for 1,400.00 and a M1 carbine. It was a correct M1C with MATCHING mount and base that was made in July 45 and never issued. I figure it came out for Korea and never made it there. I got it with a 52 dated sling, check pad, and carring case. So sometimes there are bargins to be had.
I agree with David that even tho the prices are a little low right now, I'd be carefull.

[Matt Weber]

Thanks Tankdriver and David!

I haven't heard back from the guy about the single claw sniper. Perhaps it is sold already, or perhaps he is reading thism, and knows that the gig is up?

Tankdriver, That is a great idea, but unfortunately I won't be able to make it to the Louisville show this year!
You're right though, I was too pissed to looked any more, and was too afraid!
Do you know the guy I was referring to? What it his name?

Since I'm not in a big hurry to get one, I'll do like you said, and play detective. Snoop around at any sniper I see, and try to find out what is wrong with it.
Thank you all for your help. If you have any more info, please don't hesitate to contact me, or post it up here on the firearms forum! That's what we are here for!

Matt

[Matt Weber]

Tankdriver and David,

What do you think of that K98 sniper at autionarms.com?
It is a long side rail with standard reciever. It has a adaptor pad that is fitted to it to make up the difference. He claims this is original. What do you think? another BS story?

Matt

[david w]

One word sums up my opinion of that piece----CRAP.

[tankdriver]

Originally posted by Matt Weber
Tankdriver and David,

What do you think of that K98 sniper at autionarms.com?
It is a long side rail with standard reciever. It has a adaptor pad that is fitted to it to make up the difference. He claims this is original. What do you think? another BS story?

Matt

I have had dicussions with that gentleman on 2 different boards and STILL say that the factory would not put that out. The very reason for the long side rail was to make a longer, flater mount so it would not losen up as easly. The adapter puts it right back where it started. Did a armorer do it? Who knows, I restore old vehicles and I know they did what ever they could do to make life better. I have a German WW2 propaganda photo showing a 98K with a 91/30 scope on it. What bugs me the most about this gun, I have never seen or heard of a adapter till Sarco started selling theirs. It seems if this was legimite SOMEONE would have had one years ago. IMHO.

[Matt Weber]

I agree tankdriver.

I haven't seen or heard of an adaptor at all either. Your right about the manufacturer as well. If they wanted to originally make this a sniper, why not just use a short side rail? Why go through all the trouble with making an adaptor. What really bothers me about this rifle is that it is a "bcd4". "bcd" made the thicker reciever k98 in 1944 as did Sauer correct? So why wouldn't this mount be on the thick walled gun? It doesn't make sense to me?
I think it is a BS story as well. Thanks for your help on this one!

From viewing the auction, it seem that no one else is buying his story either!

Matt

[Willi Z.]

That adapter story sounds like BS. "bcd" made plenty of long side rails.....why would they bother? They even rejected numerous thick walled receivers for various reasons. You can encounter these unfinished "bcd4" rifles on the market sometimes. Unfinished in regards to holes not having been drilled in them. Some of these have been "completed" by collectors in the post-war period. The thick walled receiver was intended to provide a better surface to mount the base......in thickness......the adapter would not offer the same stability for the base to be mounted. LSRs have always been my favorite sniper.....I just like the whole system.

Willi

[david w]

Exactly my feelings,why go to the trouble of making up a non-standard sniper when there are special receivers leaving the factory as regular rifles?

[tankdriver]

That is one of the best thing that you can use to detecta fake sniper... Use logic. Look at it, does it follow a logical pattern of wear on the gun. Wear is one of the biggest give aways on one.

[Britch]

I am always cautious but I also don't worry that an item is "too cheap" Many of the items I consider my keepers were purchased for 1/2 or less of "dealer price". That is fun of the hunt. Paying full price is never as fun as finding a deal.
Brian