G98 Sporterized Conversion Question

[aalbert1]

Hi all,
I am reaching out about if I should potentially purchase/ the work involved converting this sportized G98 back to its original military form. I recently stumbled upon a g98 sporterized at a Cabelas near me. It seems to be all matching on the surface level minus the stock obviously.

I am wondering besides the stock, handguard and barrel bands What else would I need to convert it back to the original military configuration? I apologize if I come off uninformed but I am new to this and figure this be a fun first project.

As a side note I already I own one G98 I purchased a few years ago. It was duffle cut and I had it repaired and cant wait to shoot it! Then I saw this one the other day and now thinking about restoring it back to what it use to be as my second one.

They want $500 for it, is that a good price for a sporterized conversion or what do you think If they even haggle I should offer as well as what is a estimate price for bringing it back to its original form?

I attached pictures below. I couldn't get a good picture of the inside of the barrel but it seemed pretty dark potentially shot out. If I need to go back and get more pictures I will.

Thanks,
Andy

 

[Loewe]

Not enough pictures for sure... just from the four available I'd speculate $500 is too much... it does have some potential if the whole carries forward as favorably as the four pictures begin; though this a Republican era rifle & with this much work done to it more matters. The rearsight and right receiver might tighten the era this rifle falls in, but probably later Republic to early NS era (during the late rearmament phase)

The barrel length and stock will make or break its potential, if a nice stock or something rare & unusual (with an unaltered full length barrel), it might be worth a $500 stretch, but odds work against that with what is shown.

***I should also warn that this era is the softest of the three eras (Imperial - Republic - NS or "nazi"), generally Imperial have the strongest following (worth); Republic is strong too if the rifle is rare or exceptional (rare to find); the NS era the weakest because of limited interest and general lack of quality specimens, but niche fields do bring strong prices but are exceedingly rare in upper grades.

 

[aalbert1]

Thank you for the insight! I will go back soon and get more pictures and other information. This why i came here before i went in over my head!

 

[aalbert1]

Update:

Took more pictures of it.
Still has the original length barrel 29/29.5" stock seems to have cartouches markings on it? Not sure id spend $500 on it but i still want opinions if its worth converting back to the military configuration.

 

[yeeyee123]

Kar 98B and I'd be out at 500

 

[Warrior1354]

Looks like a decent Gew98m that went through a few reworks in it's service life. Honestly it might not be that hard of a restoration if you could find a stock donor front end. And a few barrel bands.

 

[chrisftk]

Kar 98B and I'd be out at 500

100% not a 98b... Those have the finger grooves, sling mount like a k98k and bolt cutout/ bent bolt.

Definitely a sported 98m.

 

[Cyrano4747]

Looks like a decent restoration candidate and would be a good rifle if you wanted to practice fixing cut down stocks.

But I wouldn’t do it at $500. Maybe if really wanted that specific rifle for whatever reason.

If you can get them down to $400 I’d go for it.

 

[aalbert1]

Awesome! Thanks guys for the knowledge. i was going see if they would take $350 for it and seemingly from what you guys are saying it wouldn't be too difficult to restore. So what all would I need to replace on besides the stock?

All I can think off the top my head is:

Stock
handguard
Bayonet mount
Forend
Barrel Bands

 

[Cyrano4747]

Awesome! Thanks guys for the knowledge. i was going see if they would take $350 for it and seemingly from what you guys are saying it wouldn't be too difficult to restore. So what all would I need to replace on besides the stock?

All I can think off the top my head is:

Stock
handguard
Bayonet mount
Forend
Barrel Bands

You'll also need the barrel band springs.

You won't need a full stock either, just the foreend off a donor stock. That's assuming the stock matches the bolt and action, if it doesn't just get a new one. But if it does match it's worth finding a donor to replace the front end. I'm working on a similar project myself right now, the basic mechanics are the same as repairing a duffel cut only you need a new piece of wood to mate to it.

 

[aalbert1]

You'll also need the barrel band springs.

You won't need a full stock either, just the foreend off a donor stock. That's assuming the stock matches the bolt and action, if it doesn't just get a new one. But if it does match it's worth finding a donor to replace the front end. I'm working on a similar project myself right now, the basic mechanics are the same as repairing a duffel cut only you need a new piece of wood to mate to it.

Sounds good! I may reach out to you in dms If i end up getting it. Id like to see your current build!

 

[yeeyee123]

100% not a 98b... Those have the finger grooves, sling mount like a k98k and bolt cutout/ bent bolt.

Definitely a sported 98m.

Right you are, my apologies

 

[aalbert1]

I suppose ill try and see if I can haggle them down in next few days here then the fun would begin... not even sure where id find majority of these parts!

 

[Cyrano4747]

I suppose ill try and see if I can haggle them down in next few days here then the fun would begin... not even sure where id find majority of these parts!

Post a WTB on the trader here and you can probably find some people willing to clear out their parts bin for a reasonable price. Beyond that the usual suspects (numrich, sarco, etc) sometimes have acceptable bits and bobs.

 

[aalbert1]

Hey all, got some updates:

Went their today to negotiate on the rifle. They wont budge on the price since its "all matching". But i did find two things unnumbered that my simpson stuhl does have numbered. But the stock is indeed matching (looks like it has a renumbered as well?) and everything else matching on it minus the two pictured spots. Also took a picture of the duffle cut. Is it worth spending $500 on it or should i let it pass?

 

[PrayingMantis]

Likely interwar depot, those tend to look sloppy but are legit. I’d pass at that price but others here might think differently.

 

[aalbert1]

Likely interwar depot, those tend to look sloppy but are legit. I’d pass at that price but others here might think differently.

Thanks for the info! Ill wait and see what others think. But i was leaning that way as well. They said after 1 year they would drop the price haha but it will be "Sold" by then .

 

[Cyrano4747]

I'd (probably: see below) pass. It's not "all matching" if it doesn't have the bands, and you'd have to sink some more money in to restore it. And that's assuming you want a woodworking project. Between parts and materials to join it to a donor for end I'd probably budget $200, and once we're talking $700 you're well within striking distance of a gun that hasn't been cut up.

The one caveat I'll give is that the price is marginal enough that if you've fallen in love with it for some reason you're not losing your shirt or anything. As I said up thread, I'd probably go for it at $400, and at the end of the day $100 one way or another isn't much in this hobby. The other wrinkle is that if you're actively trying to learn how to repair stocks like this it would be a good practice piece. Even if you screw up bad enough that the stock is firewood you're not out too much.

My question is this: what, exactly, are you shopping for? If you're specifically looking for a Gew98m, or you're into Amberg stuff, then I could see doing it. If it was an Oberndorf gun and I was in your shoes I might go for it, but that's just because I don't have an Oberndorf 98m yet and it would be an easy way to check that box.

But if all you want is a representative imperial rifle I'd say keep on looking. 98m's are cool guns, but they're very much more of a niche thing to grab once you're building up a more focused collection. If you just need a representative Imperial piece a plain jane Gew98 has that WW1 flavor and the unique roller coaster sights to boot.

 

[aalbert1]

I'd (probably: see below) pass. It's not "all matching" if it doesn't have the bands, and you'd have to sink some more money in to restore it. And that's assuming you want a woodworking project. Between parts and materials to join it to a donor for end I'd probably budget $200, and once we're talking $700 you're well within striking distance of a gun that hasn't been cut up.

The one caveat I'll give is that the price is marginal enough that if you've fallen in love with it for some reason you're not losing your shirt or anything. As I said up thread, I'd probably go for it at $400, and at the end of the day $100 one way or another isn't much in this hobby. The other wrinkle is that if you're actively trying to learn how to repair stocks like this it would be a good practice piece. Even if you screw up bad enough that the stock is firewood you're not out too much.

My question is this: what, exactly, are you shopping for? If you're specifically looking for a Gew98m, or you're into Amberg stuff, then I could see doing it. If it was an Oberndorf gun and I was in your shoes I might go for it, but that's just because I don't have an Oberndorf 98m yet and it would be an easy way to check that box.

But if all you want is a representative imperial rifle I'd say keep on looking. 98m's are cool guns, but they're very much more of a niche thing to grab once you're building up a more focused collection. If you just need a representative Imperial piece a plain jane Gew98 has that WW1 flavor and the unique roller coaster sights to boot.

Thank you for your opinion and wisdom! Absolutely the first things I am looking for is Imperial rifles, probably every makers as the first set before moving into more G98M.