Third Party Press

G40k at Rock Island Auction

bruce98k

bruce98k

Super Over the Top Moderator -1/2
Staff member
The G40k closed at 40,000.00US (not including buyers premium).
That would put it at around 48,0000.00 OTD.

I really feel sorry for the buyer but am more upset at RIA for not being straight up about this rifle.

Here is one particular part of the description:

All the various parts are unnumbered which would be correct for a experimental/prototype rifle as they were all hand fitted and it was not intended to issued to field.

I won't go into detail but in my opinion the gun has issues. There is a previous well discussed thread on this rifle.

Back story is that a French collector sold this at Hermann Historica auction in Germany last year. RIA ended up purchasing the rifle for around 15000.00USD.
Fast forward to day 2 of the current auction and low and behold, sells for a whopping 40,000.00US.

Nice tidy profit on a questionable rifle.

Here is the link to the discussion when it was at Hermann Historica.

http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?36286-Anyone-see-the-G40k-in-Herman-historica-sell&highlight=G40k
 
That is a lot of money for something questionable but as a good collector friend of mine told me a lot of questionable stuff comes out of Rock Island nowadays and alot of it fake.
 
Rock Island Auction house knows the level of intelligence and amount of money of it's customer base.
 
As a new collector here I find it unnerving how often the "big guys" in the world of auctions/sales mess up. Of course, the phrase "mess up" suggests that it was an honest mistake on the part of RIA, but as Mr. Farb has stated there may have been more sinister intentions at the expense of the collector who purchased the rifle. I've made my share of little mistakes here and there as a newer collector. They've been mostly harmless in the way of overpaying a little here, and a little more there for a firearm that I just had to have. There was also an instance where I tried to get an all matching 98k on brokegunner that had clearly been messed with.....silly me. But a 40,000 dollar mistake is a real pity. Yet another item in my long list of reasons to visit this forum on the daily, as well as making a concerted effort to learn before and after I act in all instances in the world of collecting.
 
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A talented machinist / true gunsmith can fabricate parts, and easier still, modify existing parts. Because there are so few of these to compare it is difficult for many to know if something is original when parts are described as “prototype” and “field trial”, etc. However, this one has a known history and has been addressed. We also know what attributes an original should have which are lacking here.
 
Herk1994 said:
...But a 40,000 dollar mistake is a real pity...
Click to expand...

The auction house didn't make a mistake. They were just doing what they do--making money. Protecting the integrity of 98k collecting and preserving history aren't on their list of priorities. This is just business as usual for them. And this is also why I don't follow them or attempt to bid on their items. It may be a real pity for the buyer. But I am guessing that the buyer could afford to lose this amount on a weekend in Vegas, so likely not much of a pity for him either.
 
So it's got gun Jesus's approval that means it is 100% original and correct let me just throw the money at the item because Ian McCollum on YouTube touched it with his fingers.
 
Warrior1354 said:
So it's got gun Jesus's approval that means it is 100% original and correct let me just throw the money at the item because Ian McCollum on YouTube touched it with his fingers.
Click to expand...

Technically it didn't really get his approval. He acknowledged at the end that it's likely had something done to it and isn't original. I was surprised to hear that at the end since you'd think Rock Island wouldn't want that kind of doubt if they're letting a big name guy make a video about their suspicious rifle.
 
lthilsdorf said:
Technically it didn't really get his approval. He acknowledged at the end that it's likely had something done to it and isn't original. I was surprised to hear that at the end since you'd think Rock Island wouldn't want that kind of doubt if they're letting a big name guy make a video about their suspicious rifle.
Click to expand...

Only problem most of the bidders that saw that video probably didn't remember that part. The old horse blinders were on.
 
I watched Ian’s video. I thought it, like his other videos, was rather balanced and informative. The video clearly showed the differences in V81 and V84. Ian stated several significant caveats: 1) he’s not a Mauser expert; 2) there are obvious differences in V81 and V84; 3) he consulted Mauser experts (note that I did not put that in quotes for sarcastic inference as I know who he consulted); 4) there could be restored parts.

I don’t know Ian McCollum, never exchanged a word with him though I respect his work and videos. My position on this piece is from someone who has been a specialist collector of primarily the K98k for over 35 years. I believe the piece to be a higher end creation, a decent, but not outstanding, knockoff of V81, apparently European in origin. Certainly all I see is well within the skill level of a good machinist/gunsmith. I would not expect Ian to catch this or the vast majority of people. When one forks out big money for something exotic like this one must be expected to be a bit responsible for what they purchase. In fact, even when I’m spending relatively small money on a Commonwealth Mk.II helmet my purchase decision is almost solely based upon my knowledge without reference to the ad. The information and caveats provided in the video were sufficient for an informed decision, IMHO.
 
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Rock Island IMO is no better than a high end gun dealer at any local show...part honest dealer....part huckster...

If you want a glimpse into muddy waters...look at Rock Island anytime they list a "1903 USMC Unertl," rifle....
 
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