I Don't Know If This Is of Interest / Unusual Markings
- Thread starter DaveDavis
- Start date
Interesting observation, though I bet Blue Book has never bought or sold either... any Kar.98b in original condition would pull double that, especially in 98% finish (if one exists), - actually probably closer to triple anywhere near 90%. Really nice 98b's routinely pull $3000 and if you could find a dated or a-c block anywhere near matching it would be worth more than $3000.
I have never seen a really nice fully original and matching upgraded G98 for sale, especially an early one; you can find a rearmament G98 (nazi era) in upper grades, though usually some mismatched parts, usually the bolt, but there are distinctions to be made when dealing with interwar rifles.
Pre-1930 upgrades are almost unheard of in upper grades, matching is almost impossible, I have never seen one that hasn't been upgraded after 1930. Much of what is "right" is unknown prior to 1930, 1922-1930 was a period the Germans practiced "dual compliance", meaning rifles sighted to accommodate S-patrone (standard 7.92 used in the G98 throughout the war) and the newly (1918) introduced sS patrone originally designed for MG service, but was authorized for rifles during the war in emergency circumstances as long as inventory allowed (priority to MG's). I doubt an unaltered first generation upgrade exists, though I also doubt a distinction would be made by the vast majority of interested collectors.
It may be true that a typical upgraded G98 (Gew.98M) might only command on average $700-1000 in full original-matching condition, but I doubt the compiler has seen one before. Such a rifle would be far more rare than almost any Kar.98k you encounter. Original-matching and interwar Gew.98 are not phrases commonly used together.
I have never seen a really nice fully original and matching upgraded G98 for sale, especially an early one; you can find a rearmament G98 (nazi era) in upper grades, though usually some mismatched parts, usually the bolt, but there are distinctions to be made when dealing with interwar rifles.
Pre-1930 upgrades are almost unheard of in upper grades, matching is almost impossible, I have never seen one that hasn't been upgraded after 1930. Much of what is "right" is unknown prior to 1930, 1922-1930 was a period the Germans practiced "dual compliance", meaning rifles sighted to accommodate S-patrone (standard 7.92 used in the G98 throughout the war) and the newly (1918) introduced sS patrone originally designed for MG service, but was authorized for rifles during the war in emergency circumstances as long as inventory allowed (priority to MG's). I doubt an unaltered first generation upgrade exists, though I also doubt a distinction would be made by the vast majority of interested collectors.
It may be true that a typical upgraded G98 (Gew.98M) might only command on average $700-1000 in full original-matching condition, but I doubt the compiler has seen one before. Such a rifle would be far more rare than almost any Kar.98k you encounter. Original-matching and interwar Gew.98 are not phrases commonly used together.
Desert_Faux
Senior Member
