What Would you pay for K98k.....

[DANGALENA]

Dan and Johnnie,

You guys are both correct! However, Johnnie, I think it would take an aweful lot of collectors to think like us in order to drive the prices down!
The problem is there is too many well do collectors out there who don't mind paying the price for items that they want/need to complete there collection.
I used to collect badges and insignia, and it was the same way.

I don't even know why we call dealers, "dealers" any more? They certainly don't deal with you at all! Most of them have a set price, and you pay that, and that's all! Not much dealing going on any more! Luckily I do know a few dealers that still deal, but there aren't any in my town! The closest one is an hour drive, and the second one is 2 1/2 hours away!

Matt

BTW Johnnie, I do fondle my collection almost every day. That is why the wife gets so pissed at me!

Well, I just attended the Mother of all gunshows here in PA.....at the ExpoMart in Monroeville. What a great show ! However, as I went looking for Mausers it was a sad tale. Lot's of standard, non-RC, non-import marked 98k's STARTING around $650.00 ! I saw one matching number 98k with a laminated stock....price $1800 !!!!!!!!!!! The VENDOR (I don't call them dealers although crook does come to mind) had other Mausers on the table....didn't even look at them. One VENDOR had a bakelite gripped 98k bayonet for $85....and it had one of the rivets missing completely !! A sorry looking bayonet. Things are really getting bad. It is getting just as bad in the Class III arena, too.

Sorry to send out this depressing message. But, I thought I'd share my heartache with you all. ON a happy note.....I did find a brand new Bundeswehr issue, Fallschirmjaeger gravity knife. Always wanted one...and it's so very nice (although bigger than I expected).

Take care guys.

Dan G.

[jaeger_45056]

Ive read all of your posts and I have to point out a few things that have been mentioned.
Im only 22 years old, and im probabally part of the demographic you are talking about which equates WW2 with the crusades. My generation definetely falls to consumerism and the "have it now" mentality. This is part of the reason for the rise in prices, but I also think that the internet has brought a balance to prices in the market. Prices on the internet from my observations seem to be "fair market value" when compared to what I see at shows.

I honestly don't see most vendors at shows ever selling anything unless it is new. The few correct pieces at shows I see are always priced crazy. At first I think this is a reflection of the market, but I think most dealers as has already been said are more vendors. And if not vendors they are just crooks who get a kick out of making 900 dollars on a matched K98. My guess is a majority of dealers at shows barely make enough to cover their table fees and hotel.

I think most of you have a scewed perception of the market, because you are established collectors, and have contacts within the community. This means you know where to get what you want, and usually at a fair price because it is a transaction between freinds/collectors, versus buyer/seller.

Someone just starting off does not have these connections, and thus will pay 300 dollars for a Russian Capture. I have almost come to this point several times, but am holding out, because I have been trying to find a deal on a correct matched K98 for around 500 bucks now for more than 4 years with no luck.

I have 10x the luck collecting bayonets on the internet vs shows. Is it really that crazy to pay 125 bucks for a Matched s84/98 in vgood condition off the internet? Im not old enough to know what they used to sell for, but I have heard the horror stories from my dad of when you could buy K98s out of barrels at sears for 40 dollars a pop.

I think being a younger collector I also get talked down to a lot at shows. Not that I want anyone to pity me, but many dealers try to suck me into buying some piece of junk with the "battle of the bulge bringback story" just taking advantage of the great amount of enthusiasm I have for the ww2 era. It seemed at JAG this fall there were an awful lot of German sniper rifles, I am very weary of repro. or incorrect rifles and its daunting to look at these without an expert around. SOS should be interesting this winter to see how the market has changed.
I have great appreciation for everyone and their knowledge on these forums and I honestly say thanks for the great discussions.

[david w]

The prices charged reflect the reality of the market place, 36 years ago when I began collecting German service rifles they were cheap and plentiful. Nice original pieces are the exception now since guys like me have so many tucked away in our vaults.There will continue to be a premium price paid as the collector population grows.
David

[Matt Weber]

Jaeger,

I know exactly what you mean! I started collecting badges, and insignia when I was still in High school! I was teased by my peers, and talked down to by dealers and collectors at shows, if they even talked to me at all! Most of them wouldn't even talk to me, since I was too young! The ones that did, tried as hard as they could to take advantage of me!
I obtained most of my early collection from vets. Most of these vets were my friends uncles or grandfathers. However, that supply quickly ran out.

Someone mentioned earlier in this thread, that this "hobby" has become a "buisness". I couldn't agree more! I got into this field at the exact time it became a buisness, and I have watched it grow since. I agree that the internet has added to this buisness, and also the Hollywood movies, such as "Saving Private Ryan", and "Band of Brothers". Remember in "Band of Brothers" that one guy was looking for a Luger threwout the show?! That movie just doubled the cost of a luger for you and I!

So hang in there Jaeger, and be patient. I have found that the best way to get items these days at good deals, is to simply place a want add in the newspapers. Sure you'll end up getting lots of offers for junk, and tons of repro stuff as well, but sometimes that item that your looking for will show up as well! You'd be surprised!

Matt

[Matt Weber]

Amazing story!

Got a great story for you guys, that is 100% true, and Jaeger, you'll be amazed!

Went to my local dealer friend the other day, and asked him if he got any new items that I would be interested in? He tells me this story that happened to him this past week.

A customer walks into his store, and asks him if he has any magazines for his luger? My dealer friend says, "Well yes, I have several magazines for luger, but what type of luger do you have?"
The guy replies, "I don't know?, I just know its' a luger, and the magazine is missing."
My dealer friend suggests that the guy brings in the luger, so he can get the proper magazine for it. The guy agrees.

He comes back later with the luger. It is totally discusting! Totally covered by some black material. My dealer friend asks him about it. They guy says that the luger was stored (I'm not kidding!), in the basement of his chimeney. (If any of you have a wood burning fireplace, you know what I mean! It was in the basement behind the doors where you clean out all the ashes and soot!).
So this luger was covered with 50 years of soot! My dealer friend rubbed the top of the chamber hard, and saw an "S" on it!!!!! He knew this meant he had a "S" dated Krieghoff luger! He offered the guy $1000 for the gun. The guy was shocked, and only replied, "$1000 cash?". The dealer said "sure, I can pay cash!"
He gave the guy $1000 for the gun, and the guy left very happy.
My dealer friend then spent the next two days dis-assembling and cleaning this gun! He originally thought that the gun was probably 40%. He already had a proper Krieghoff marked magazine for it, and also a 1936 dated kreighoff holster for it as well. After two days of cleaning it, he brought it out to show me it!
This was a lovely all matching Krieghoff, "S" dated luger, in about 95% conditon! It even had the proper flatsided kreighoff grips!

All together this rig would definately be worth at least $3500! What a deal huh? It just goes to show you, that there are still some good deals out there, and sometimes they just walk into your store!
Why can't I have this luck?

Matt

[DANGALENA]

Got a great story for you guys, that is 100% true, and Jaeger, you'll be amazed!

Went to my local dealer friend the other day, and asked him if he got any new items that I would be interested in? He tells me this story that happened to him this past week.

A customer walks into his store, and asks him if he has any magazines for his luger? My dealer friend says, "Well yes, I have several magazines for luger, but what type of luger do you have?"
The guy replies, "I don't know?, I just know its' a luger, and the magazine is missing."
My dealer friend suggests that the guy brings in the luger, so he can get the proper magazine for it. The guy agrees.

He comes back later with the luger. It is totally discusting! Totally covered by some black material. My dealer friend asks him about it. They guy says that the luger was stored (I'm not kidding!), in the basement of his chimeney. (If any of you have a wood burning fireplace, you know what I mean! It was in the basement behind the doors where you clean out all the ashes and soot!).
So this luger was covered with 50 years of soot! My dealer friend rubbed the top of the chamber hard, and saw an "S" on it!!!!! He knew this meant he had a "S" dated Krieghoff luger! He offered the guy $1000 for the gun. The guy was shocked, and only replied, "$1000 cash?". The dealer said "sure, I can pay cash!"
He gave the guy $1000 for the gun, and the guy left very happy.
My dealer friend then spent the next two days dis-assembling and cleaning this gun! He originally thought that the gun was probably 40%. He already had a proper Krieghoff marked magazine for it, and also a 1936 dated kreighoff holster for it as well. After two days of cleaning it, he brought it out to show me it!
This was a lovely all matching Krieghoff, "S" dated luger, in about 95% conditon! It even had the proper flatsided kreighoff grips!

All together this rig would definately be worth at least $3500! What a deal huh? It just goes to show you, that there are still some good deals out there, and sometimes they just walk into your store!
Why can't I have this luck?

Matt

Why can't I have this luck? Because you don't have a store ! ! !

Dan G.

[Matt Weber]

Dan,

You may be right Dan, but my dealer friend even admits that this was the first time he had an "S" date Krieghoff luger just walk into his store!

Matt

[leer]

All the "new" intrest in WWII has driven the prices up but if you shop around you can find fairly priced items, I bought this matched Radom for $320.00 last weekend.

First let me congratulate on your purchase . As I'm now researching for a Collector Grade book on Radom pistols, I'd like to know the serial of the pistol - it's only for research purposes, so do not worry. I'd also appreciate a photo of the opposite side of the gun - or better a set of photos in somewhat better resolution, if you'll be kind enough to send me these at leer@ba-bach.pl
Hoping to hear from you soon,
leer aka Leszek Erenfeicht Warsaw, Poland