G98/40

[john dunn]

Hi Guys,

Ive never been on this forum before, but could someone tell me about what I should have to pay for an all matching G98/40 in say,95%+ overall conditon? Supposedly a vet bring -back no pappers.Also do'nt know date on gun.Need just basic price. Reguards to all-John Dunn

[bodes]

That's the Hungarian made one, isn't it?......I believe those are in the $900-1200 range......Bodes

[dag001]

Hi John,
If you can buy an honest matching G98/40 in the condition you describe for the amount mentioned above - GO FOR IT!
I think one in this condition should bring $1500 & up.

[john dunn]

Yes, Hungarian made under German occupation 8x57 Two piece stock. Mannlicher split bridge recever.-John

[RED LION]

98/40

hey here in europe the price range is 750 euros . for an MATCHING RIFLE

[dag001]

John,
Thought you might find this interesting. Notice the transaction took place over two years ago.
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/di...temnum=6475184

[bodes]

It very well may be a regional thing(?).....I had a chance to buy one about the same time period as this AA one.....Condition was slightly less, but an all-matched original.....I could've had it for $900.....Unfortunately, these don't do a whole lot for me.....Personally, I'd much rather have a nice condition K98k.....Bodes

[dag001]

It very well may be a regional thing........Bodes

Hi Bodes,
Did you happen to notice that the location of the AA seller was Michigan?
Evidently beauty and desireability is in the eye of the beholder

[James Purnell]

At the recent SOS in Louisville a 98/40 close to my table sold for 1800.00. They are much harder to find than a comparable matching 98k.

Jim

[bodes]

Hi Bodes,
Did you happen to notice that the location of the AA seller was Michigan?
Evidently beauty and desireability is in the eye of the beholder

Being sold on a national auction site doesn't exactly make it a regional sale, now does it?....Bodes

[bodes]

At the recent SOS in Louisville a 98/40 close to my table sold for 1800.00. They are much harder to find than a comparable matching 98k.

Jim

Jim, This may be true.....But one should not confuse scarcity with demand.....They are not automatically interchangeable......Apparently in a smaller market where I'm at, demand is not as great....Hence, lower prices.....I also hear prices at Louisville were out of this world.....A friend of mine said he heard a guy spent $2500 on shooter's grade G43.....Just the rifle, no accoutrements.....He wanted it because it had a muzzle nut and wanted it for reenacting.....Hell, I have a shooter's grade G43 w/Zf4 scope and repro mount that I have $1300 into.....Bodes

[dag001]

Being sold on a national auction site doesn't exactly make it a regional sale, now does it?....Bodes

Evidently I have touched a sore spot by questioning your expertise??? With the advent of the Internet there is no such thing as a regional sale, now is there?......

[john dunn]

Say Guys,

I didn't mean to get anything started, but to let you know it seems in my location (area) G 98/40's aren't real common or I would have had one awhile-ago , I did buy the rifle and I'll post it if you all want, It's not quite as nice as I hoped having not seen the gun only being told about it . It came with an origional sling though which is different from a german and is marked the gun in my estimation rates in the mid 80% range-Thank you all for your input on this matter - All my Best John Dunn

[dag001]

Congratulations John,
Please do post some pictures. These rifles are rather hard to find in decent condition and are a desireable acquisition for anyone attempting to build a well-rounded collection of German WWII shoulder weapons.

[phild]

Shooter Grade?

[..I also hear prices at Louisville were out of this world.....A friend of mine said he heard a guy spent $2500 on shooter's grade G43.....Just the rifle, no accoutrements.....He wanted it because it had a muzzle nut and wanted it for reenacting.....Hell, I have a shooter's grade G43 w/Zf4 scope and repro mount that I have $1300 into.....Bodes[/quote]

German military weapons collecting has got to be the only field in the world where a field replacement part or two transforms the item from a historical fine example of a firearm into a "shooter grade" non-collectable item!

I saw two bolt carrier mis-match G-43s at the SOS in the $2500 range....they were both duv (I think.maybe bcd but not Walthers I know) these rifles were very nice with original finish and most all factory parts...they were not salvage guns or post war re-built..which is more than can be said of most "collector grade" M1 rifles!!

I've got news for the world, when matching G-43s bring 3 to 3.5 k as they now often do, you can expect to rightly see slight parts mis-matched examples to bring 2.5k.

There is and always has been a real tendency in this hobby to rationalize and categorize the desireability of every type of item. Sadly many times collectors lose the context of an item in the process.

If some guy wants to play army with a $2500 period condition rifle that is his business, but if he is trying to justify it by rationalizing that it is not an historical collection worthy example because a part or two was replaced post factory...then I think that he mind playing himself.