K98 DOT 1944 Value

[SVW1945]

Hi Guys
Can any one give me a current market price for a DOT 1944 k98 all matching rifle, in excellent shape. No dings in the wood, Bluing real nice. No rust.Has sling and rod and hood.Nice proofs in the wood. Came right out of the wood work.Captured at the battle of the bulge.Which I was told from the VET. Hard to find them like this. Thanks.

[Gene]

Provided there's no duffle cut to the stock, $700-$800

[SVW1945]

Hi
There is no duffle cut, I did take the rifle apart. All numbers match inside.

[r.blue]

Sounds like a nice one. I would say that it would bring around $1,200- to $1,500. 98k's are going through the roof lately.
I had a DOT 44 with capture paperwork that I sold about 4 years ago for $1,000. I wish I had it back.
R.Blue

[SVW1945]

r.blue
Thanks for the up date,I hav,nt been offered a DOT in excellent shape for a long time. Didnt know what the current value was.Hav,nt bought a K98 in about 5 years. Are the BYF,S more valueable??

[bodes]

I guess my thoughts would be more in line with Gene's appraisal......Waffen Brunn (dot44's) are seen on quite a regular basis (as quite a number were produced).....Of course, condition along with where a rifle is bought/sold can easily have a bearing on what a K98k will sell for.....Bodes

[sszza2]

Nick,

Capture papers, if original, add significant value so can't be used as a benchmark for value on a rifle without.

If the rifle has, as you say, a matching stock that means it is not a later variation which would add value. Being a more common variation condition is everything. So are we talking mint unissued or, as the Vet said, a rifle carried in the Battle of the Bulge in 90-95%?

IMO all things being equal Oberndorfs generally bring more money than Czech manufacturers. Exceptions being certain late Czech variations.

Its not like it used to be when all '44 manufacturers were viewed as common as dirt and least desirable. Too bad huh? The good old days.

[Josh Beckett]

I got a battle damaged Dot 1944 with all matching numbers and a byf magazine floor plate that still matches the Dot. It has about 50% bluing. How much would this one be worth?

[r.blue]

Nick, Bodes, and SSZZA2,
I would have to agree with Bodes about what they should sell for. In fact, I still don't understand this sudden rise in the prices of matching 98k's. Up until the last 3 or 4 years you could have picked up a decent variation for around $350-$400.
Something has happened drastically in the past few years to change this. I don't know if it has been some disproportionate auctions or these video games and movies.... but something has caused them to go through the roof.
98k's are not rare but they apparantly have a spawned a new life in desirability. Some of the variations are scarce and some are quite rare but basic production models like the DOT-44s are bringing big bucks.
The capture paperwork with mine did influence the value but not like it would on todays market. I bet that rifle would bring $1800-$2500 now.
R. Blue

[Josh Beckett]

So my K98k with about 45% bluing could get about 1000$? What do you mean video games helped increase the price?

[r.blue]

Totenkoph059,
I would have to have a little more information about your 98k but if it was all matching and a non import I bet that it would bring at least $500. Maybe more.
That is what I'm driving at. The prices have really escalated.

I don't know the exact cause but I feel that it is because of several factors, to include video games. WWII has branched into the pop culture arena with video games like Call of Duty and Medal of Honor. This, I feel has contributed to a growing interest in the second world war. Especially with the younger folk out there. Which is great. We need new blood because we have to pass this stuff on to someone someday. I remember at the last show I set up at. A kid came by with his father and he i.d. several of the rifles and pistols that I had on display by their model. I asked how he knew so much about them and he said that they were the same weapons on his video game.
Have to go now but this is an interesting topic and maybe we delve into it further.
R.Blue

[bodes]

Nick, Bodes, and SSZZA2,
I would have to agree with Bodes about what they should sell for. In fact, I still don't understand this sudden rise in the prices of matching 98k's. Up until the last 3 or 4 years you could have picked up a decent variation for around $350-$400.
Something has happened drastically in the past few years to change this. I don't know if it has been some disproportionate auctions or these video games and movies.... but something has caused them to go through the roof.
98k's are not rare but they apparantly have a spawned a new life in desirability. Some of the variations are scarce and some are quite rare but basic production models like the DOT-44s are bringing big bucks.
The capture paperwork with mine did influence the value but not like it would on todays market. I bet that rifle would bring $1800-$2500 now.
R. Blue

R.Blue, First I think we all agree that nice Mausers have and will always command a premium price......One gent once stated that nice, unmolested Mausers are harder to find than nice Lugers....Add to that notion, the Mauser has been the more affordable German military rifle for a collector to obtain.....And with other highly sought after German rifles (G33/40's, G/K43's, G41's) getting out of the price range of alot of people (including the new collectors), invarably interest generally levitates toward the next available, affordable item.....And in this case, would be the Mauser K98k.....Add demand to an unpredictable supply, and invarably we all know the outcome.....Bodes

[sszza2]

I believe I am pretty close to the K98k market. I can only respond based upon what I see K98ks actually sell for at shows, private collector to collector transactions and at live auctions. Thats real money not asking prices. I cannot speak to the internet auction market where other factors (legit and otherwise) effect price.

Prices certainly continue to travel upwards though. No doubt about that.

[Gene]

Would you say my estimate is correct for this particular rifle?

[Bob in OH]

I'll add my 2 cents re: ballpark figures. Legit matched, unmessed with wood, original finish (wood + metal) in about 95% condition start at 1K. That starting point is for a byf44... and the price moves up from there. Would I pay 1K for a very nice dot44?... yep. Do I already have an unmessed w/ dot44 example?...yep.

Having just returned from OGCA.... there was not a single legit matched K98 in the house for sale during the public time. Dealers (not me) get to swap on Fri before the show so I don't know what happened... There were several boinkered matched rifles for less than 1K, and they were fun to see the bubbamanship...