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**tracman** · 10-25-2009, 02:01 PM

Kar98k values

Hard question without photographs. Values are based on condition, scarcity, and perception. If the rifle is truly all-matching, has a solid bore showing little wear, isn't missing a single part, and has a decent amount of finish left on it (say 75-80%), it could arguably fall in the NRA VG category, and thus the rifle may be worth up to $750. Arguably, post-86 import markings may affect value: Russian capture versions, which have flooded the US market in the past years, are worth barely half that.

As with anything else, you may find individuals willing to pay a premium, as they look to round out their collections. A particular year, or a particular manufacturer, or both, could make someone eager to jump in and pay a bit extra.

Anyone seriously interested in the value of WW2 firearms would do him/herself a favor and purchase the "Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: the Collector's Price and Reference Guide." It's currently in its 5th. Granted, it's only relevant to the US market, but it's a cheap purchase for a good starting point. And as a disclaimer, I had absolutely nothing to do with its editing, printing, research, or documentation, and have absolutely no personal ties to it, its authors, contributors, or publishers, etc...

**shootyourshot** · 10-25-2009, 04:33 PM

Tracman

thank you for your post as well as for the guide info! i will definately look out for it.

just a question to all: how can i recognise Russian captures etc?

as far as i know it is not been a Russian one though, but just to know

thanks!!

**tacambaro** · 10-26-2009, 10:01 AM

Value where? In the US a nice matching untouched K98k of just about any flavor will start at $1000 and start going up, sometimes dramatically depending on manufacturer, date, variation, etc. Just about any nice (i.e. 85% or better original finish, unmessed with, matching) K98k will sell for a grand in about 30 minutes on the internet with pics.

**Suber** · 10-26-2009, 11:27 AM

I agree with the following, 750.00 is a very low-ball value. The rifle would have to be in the 20% finish range and all matching to be worth so little. I would expect in good condition and truly matching numbers it to be 1200.00 or more.

**jtb1967** · 10-26-2009, 02:21 PM

Check Gunbroker to get an idea of K98 prices. I've seen rough more common all matching K98 sell in the $400 to $500 range, but that price go up very quickly as the condition improves.

**tacambaro** · 10-26-2009, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by jtb1967 View Post

Check Gunbroker to get an idea of K98 prices. I've seen rough more common all matching K98 sell in the $400 to $500 range, but that price go up very quickly as the condition improves.

I'd like to see links to a common all matching K98k for $400-500 that wasn't relic shape, i.e, thrashed, rusted, and whacked. Anything in untouched shape over 20% will bring more, IMHO.

**cossack1648** · 10-26-2009, 07:24 PM

K98

I've seen nice, matching, early K98's from rare makers going for up to $3000.

jack

**jtb1967** · 10-26-2009, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by tacambaro View Post

I'd like to see links to a common all matching K98k for $400-500 that wasn't relic shape, i.e, thrashed, rusted, and whacked. Anything in untouched shape over 20% will bring more, IMHO.

I've bought several in that price range from gunshops. You'll find very few bargins on Gunbroker, but at least you can get a good idea of the current market price to educated buyers.

Last year I had a matching dot 43, but duffle cut with the blueing pretty much gone sell in the $400's on Gunbroker. It wasn't something a high dollar collector would have wanted, but it was an honest vet bring back matching K98. I also had had an excellent condition French postwar K98 that only brought $500.00, but that might not be a good comparison since it wasn't truely a German K98.

**tracman** · 10-27-2009, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by jtb1967 View Post

I've bought several in that price range from gunshops. You'll find very few bargins on Gunbroker, but at least you can get a good idea of the current market price to educated buyers.

Last year I had a matching dot 43, but duffle cut with the blueing pretty much gone sell in the $400's on Gunbroker. It wasn't something a high dollar collector would have wanted, but it was an honest vet bring back matching K98. I also had had an excellent condition French postwar K98 that only brought $500.00, but that might not be a good comparison since it wasn't truely a German K98.

There's a difference between value and price. The price of items such as matching numbered, unrestored WW2 firearms is often well above the actual value. These matters are extremely subjective: I use published references as a baseline only and try to avoid paying much above published values pricing as a matter of principle. As with anything, research and more research eventually leads to knowledge, and that can pay off.

I have personally seen matching Kar98k's in 70-75% condition, non-import, un0cut, all-matching, and showing some honest wear, lacking only the cleaning rod, sell for anything between $700 and $1200 sold at gun shows (specifically at Nation's Gun Show at its Chantilly VA venue). Sometimes, the sight hood is missing, but I've got plenty of combat pictures in the many books I have that show that this was often the case in the field, so it's no issue for me. It all depends on what you are looking for. I've seen some Kar8ks, to include very early ones, that look incredibly minty with perfect stocks, looking like they came right out of the factory, going for three to four times that. At that price, I start getting worried about really good restoration work, and while I might have my magnifying glass with me, it's usually not customary at a show or shop to pull a rifle apart to see if it's been restored.

Along those lines, I've seen price discrepencies at the same gun shows for such items as P-38 pistols, with authentic, unrestored, very good condition pistols of roughly the same timeframe going between $700 and $2000, the latter being prices to attract those with money to burn (and usually accompanied by some wonderful, unverifiable story), the others being offered at that price to educated customers (and I'm well aware of significant price variations between the various years and variations). The same applies to just about everything else I've seen at shows, whether they are gun shows, militaria shows, or antique shows. Know the intrinsic value, and you may put yourself at a good advantage as a buyer, and a respectable seller will recognize (s)he is dealing with someone who is looking to make a purchase that's an honest win-win for both sides. I had a gun show dealer recently quote me an asking price of $1850 for a matching, non-import, circa 75% condition 2nd variation P35p Radom that wasn't worth much more than $750: I told him flat out that he clearly wasn't interested in selling it at that price and walked. If someone wants to pay that much for it, (s)he can have it.

Lastly, to answer a question posed earlier, Russian capture rifles will have a Russian capture stamp, usually on the left side of the receiver. Unless I'm mistaken, it looks like two crossed (scimitar-like) swords. All I've seen are non-matching, but then again, I'm not really looking carefully at them, so it would be completely possible to find matching ones, I suppose. Some were subjected to crude new numbering done with electric pencils, but I'd venture that nobody would confuse those markings with the real thing.

**byf45** · 10-31-2009, 12:31 PM

Hello if the k-98 is all matching and in some what mint conduction they range from $1200.00 to $3000.00

**wolfcastle** · 11-23-2009, 10:16 PM

These are becoming investments. All matching k98s have gone up a few hundred dollars in the past few years. They are getting harder to find, at least at NH gunshops/shows. Most Russian captures (r/c's) are dipped in an ugly black finish, have heavily stained stocks, the receiver serial # stamped on the side of the stock, no sight hood or capture screws, and only the barrel and receiver match. They will also have import marks on the barrels. And yes, there is usually an X marking on the receiver. Some of them have not been dipped and are therefore more valuable. I wouldn't pay more than 275US for a R/C. Some of the rarer codes (BCD/AR etc) would demand higher prices. Non R/C matching guns w/ original finish in good condition are usually 900US+

**shootyourshot** · 11-24-2009, 04:26 PM

thanks all for your input so far!

well the original K98 which i saw was not in the best state (too much pitting) but i found 2 other ones and they are in the region of 1000 US$

i hope to post pics next week

**Col.Klink** · 11-24-2009, 04:34 PM

I recently sold a really nice matching byf44 (one of THE most common codes/years) for $1,100. Early pieces or extremely late pieces seem to be the most desireable. The 43's and 44's bring the least it would seem.

**shootyourshot** · 11-24-2009, 05:18 PM

hello Col Klink,

So a 100% matching 1937 or 1939 would be much more value?

cheers

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