New to forum and 98s

I've got a buddy at work wanting to sell his 98 for 300.00. He said a smith did some work to it. I know these rifles are great shooters. I just don't know what all to look for as far as history and value concerned. I'd just like to know its history and value so I don't get ripped off.









Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is this a 1916 or 1917?

I would bet that if all that is shown is offered, $300 would be a good deal, but restoring it would not be worth it, especially if the barrel is shortened, - you can't fix cut barrels, once cut you have two options, converting it to 98k (by cutting it again to 98k length) or replacing it. Either way it harms value, though unscrupulous people with some skill can pass it off (sometimes) as a original conversion.

There is also the fact than interwar upgrades like this typically have a weak following, meaning less demand unless totally original and matching parts. Finding totally matching (reworked matching) interwar reworks, or early rearmament upgraded rifles is very difficult, very few have survived to this day. Most interwar G98's you come across are mismatchers to one degree or another, usually very mismatched, usually well worn or heavily used.

Unless you care to acquire the rifle for parts or strictly for shooting, it probably isn't worth the effort. Though I am sure the scope etc.. would make it a bargain (I guess)

Thanks for the info. I knew the barrel had been cut. So when he told me I was like really?????? Why would somebody screw up a perfectly good antique like that? So if it would have been completely original what would it be worth? I haven't put my hands on the rifle yet so I'm not sure of the year. He is supposed to be letting me know.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bolt m/m, assuming everything else was period original to the "nazi" era upgrade and or rework, maybe $400-500 if you're lucky. Bolt matching could double it, maybe, the metal and stock finish would matter a great deal if you want to get top dollar. A better maker/date can help too, MO/16 or 17 isn't a heart flutter to most collectors... a rifle with more Imperial characteristics helps too, some of these can be pretty original if done early enough (have factory parts, only an RS upgrade)

Biggest problem with these (upgraded G98's) is a far fewer collect them; Imperials have far more demand and of course 98k at least doubles that demand. What drives prices is demand, not many collect interwar, and most interwar dudes (with a willingness to pay high prices) are police specialists, the G98 was never issued in numbers to the police, perhaps early on right after the war, but although these are far more elusive in upper grades (small supply), the limited demand means that supply is not in any great danger of exhaustion... therefore low prices except for exceptional examples (which are very elusive)

Mismatchers are not hard to find, more than enough to swamp demand... the only high demand interwar is P08 and 98b's, the 98b often outperforms 98k prices.