Wwi Gew M98?

[brannow]

Hi All,<O</O

What do WWI GEW M98 Rifles rage in price? The one I am looking at is an all-matching gun and in pretty decent condition.<O


Thanks in advance,

[brannow]

hello!!

Its a WWI M98 Mauser Rifle like the K98. Any one?

[GWA]

There are so many later variations of the GEW98, it's an invloved question. Thet sold off rifles to the Turks and all other comers, they modified rear sights and reissued to their own troops. It goes on and on.

A good GEW98 in original configuration with all matching parts is a somewhat rare bird. With the roller-coaster stock and sling it might command $400-$600. I think this would be the top end.

The value of this gun is more a demand issue than supply issue. Sorry I can't be of more help

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Bill, some pics would help a lot. Also are there any unit marks in the stock disc? condition of the bore? import marks? cleaning rod present? sling? amount of finish?

[graf]

More information...

As another has noted, much more information is required for a valuation.
The prices range from $100 for a messy Turked variation, to well over $1000 for a scarce maker or unit marked Imperial Gewehr98.

All 4 Government arsenals & 7 commercial concerns produced the Gewehr98 (DWM, Mauser, the 4 Suhl makers & Oberspree/Kornbusch) and some are considerably rarer than others.
The unit marking & date of the rifle is probably just as important as condition, pre war rifles (still in Imperial configuration) are generally scarcer (especially scarce are the ones that were not rebuilt or salvaged- MANY of the pre war Gewehr98s one comes across have been reworked either at arsenals, in the field or post war, and in that order they loose value the greatest....)
An arsenal rework is not too bad, field levels can be quite messy (but historically interesting!) & the Weimar/EWB/etc... are the most effected value wise (not to include the multitudes that went to Turkey or Spain- or elsewhere, they went many places post WWI, these are nearly universally less valuable.)

Imo, an average (decent original finish- say 60-70%, with bright bolt, receiver, etc...) matching, wartime (1915-17 Gewehr98) is worth $350-600 depending on wear & condition of stock (most makers 1915-17 are fairly common- only the 1915 Suhl makers & stern gewehr are scarce or rare).
Pre-war 1898-1914 are much scarcer, and except for a few dates/makers are worth nearly twice the wartimes if not rebuilt or reworked during WWI (Weimar/WWII reworks are worth considerably less- much less).
1918 production is quite scarce in the US if original Imperial (not Weimar, reworked or Turked) and I have seen but a handful of these quality rifles- some Imperial collectors from other counties have reported them not so rare, but in the US a quality "original Imperial" Gewehr98 is scarce!

Anyway, for a real assessment of value give us some details! (especially important with the pre war rifles)

Hi All,<O</O

What do WWI GEW M98 Rifles rage in price? The one I am looking at is an all-matching gun and in pretty decent condition.<O


Thanks in advance,

[gew98]

I collect mainly imperial german arms and bayonets. The $400 to $600 is a darn good range estimate. Though the earlier the date and or condition can make them go sky high.
Condition of wood , bore , bright finished parts and remaining blue are typical points to evaluate. Gew98's had bright receiver , bolt , bayo lug , buttplate , follower , sear , trigger , stock disc , recoil crossbolt & cleaning rod. Sling is attached by a quick detach 'couple' that locks into boss held in buttstcok bottom comb with two wood screws. All the small parts on a gew98 are mated to the gun by having the last two digits of the serial stamped on them.Parts like bolt body , stock , handguard , triggerguard , buttplate , and receiver have the full serial, with only the bolt and receiver having the alpha suffix in that serial stamped on them as well.
Most gew98's ( original matching or bolt mismatch ) are generally found in worn condition due to the harsh conditions of WW1 trench warfare and just as often to their method of storage after capture/surrender. Also note that the germans refurbished many battle damaged/salvaged rifles and these generally bring a bit less than an original factory matching peice. The depot or factory thorough repaired gew98's are not uncommon and range from complete rebuilt and reserialed to using salvaged parts with old serialed lined out and restruck to some evidencing ground and then restruck serials.Some were quality refurbs and some showed the expediancy of the works quality due to the pressing war needs.
In this day and age be mindfull of renumbered bolts , and parts.The frauds are slowly moving into imperial peices , but thankfully the frauds have a tougher time making imperial peices "match" for money and fooling anyone.
Love to see pics too !.