k98 sniper - a general question.

[robs]

Good evening, I am looking at a high turret sniper.

However the stock has been replaced (post war) because the original one was cut down by another previous owner.

How badly does a replaced stock affect this otherwise original set up, both financially as well as its collectibility?

And before you ask sorry no photographs at this stage.

Thanks

[Mark C.]

I would think if the mount and scope match the rifle that is the most important thing.Of course anything replaced affects value,with that being sais I think getting a period stock for it wouldnt affect the value too much.Just make sure the rifle is legit there are a lot of messed with k 98"snipers" out there. A average k 98 sniper goes for about 10 to 15 grand depending on condition.I would think a replaced period stock would only affect the value by a few hundred dollars.Good luck and tread carefully

[Gimpy117]

yeah id be careful buying any "sniper" these days

i think the saying goes:

"there are more "original" snipers today than there were in 1945"

so good luck and do your homework

[phild]

I would think if the mount and scope match the rifle that is the most important thing.Of course anything replaced affects value,with that being sais I think getting a period stock for it wouldnt affect the value too much.Just make sure the rifle is legit there are a lot of messed with k 98"snipers" out there. A average k 98 sniper goes for about 10 to 15 grand depending on condition.I would think a replaced period stock would only affect the value by a few hundred dollars.Good luck and tread carefully

I think that the above is a great response to your question. I personally think that the stock is perhaps more important on a sniper than say a matched bolt in that the bedding of the stock is a main point of accuracy. I realize that most original snipers will not actually be fired (today) but from a technical view point one would want the rifle to be as accurate as possible simply due to it being a "sniper" rifle.

I would make sure that I used a replacement stock from the same maker and year as the rifle is just to maximize correctness and appearance.

Lastly, a high turret would be among the easiest sniper rifles to determine as original due the factory set up origin of these (some low turrets were factory set up as well) and these rifles will have characteristics that would be very hard to fake convincingly ....although restoration and enhancement can always be a problem to determine and any firearm.

[Steve Flanagan]

Stock

And since there would be no modification of the wood for this particular sniper try and get an unnumbered stock as well. If possible for that year.

[SINGLE CLAW]

I say and know a few others that would agree that the Original stock not being Present is a MAJOR HIT as far as Value as the Stocks on HT`s were Ser# to the Rifle all the way to the end of War . An unnumbered replacement would be best to use in my opinion . A really good replacement Stock can go for as much as $1000 or more . So the Original Stock as Far as a Hit to Value of HT missing Original Stock I would say as much as $3000 to $4000 in my estimate .

[robs]

Thank you for taking out the time to reply and all your input is greatly appreciated.

I simply don't want to be hung out with a part original sniper which has limited collector value.

I will post pics when I can get them for your verdict.

[phild]

I guess that I should reconsider that the value would be only a few hundred dollars, but I have a hard time seeing the impact in the thousands of dollars either. Each person has to make his determination.

On the other hand I assume that actually you are talking about replacing the stock, handguard, both bands, band spring and bayonet bar? Unless thosw parts were retained when the stock was cut.

If that is all true then I could see a hit of maybe 25%. If the rifle was real nice otherwise and the proper type parts were used to restore....I would make no attempt to renumber them (big mistake) and use them from what they are....period parts, I could see a rifle maybe worth around 9k or so. It is not unusual to hear of really nice all matched high turrets selling for 12k+ .