New all matching 1940 Steyr 660 except cleaning rod

[artyldr01]

Hello all,

I posted not too long ago about a rifle I found. I went back and it was indeed all matching, except the cleaning rod. Butt plate to floor plate, firing pin to front sight. The stock and forearm have pencil marked "33" in the channels as well. All WaA623 marked and matching SN 5162g. The stock is matching with multiple WaA, proofs and SN on the bottom. There are a couple chunks from the wood to give it a bit of character but the finish and bore are extremely nice. The finish and bore are very nice. Even the trigger housing screws match.

Ultimately I traded a a couple decent but mix-master milsurps (all import marked). I think I did really I am very pleased.

I am really struggling to get photos loaded due to size so they are coming in small batches, I apologize.

Thoughts or observations appreciated.

 

[artyldr01]

More photos

 

[artyldr01]

A few more of the barrel.

 

[artyldr01]

and more...

 

[artyldr01]

last ones for tonight. Please advise if there are others that would help.

Cheers!

 

[Kammerjaeger]

An uncommon code. All stamps look good to me, but others are much better than I am at that. The stock, on the other hand, does look like it has been sanded.


KJ

 

[Loewe]

It looks original, from what you show, - I assume the right receiver is e/623 x4? It has a blank siderail? It should also have acceptance on the RS of the stock. I agree it does look sanded, I think there is little question of that, but the RS clarity is pretty important to value, but I think the stock is original at least.

I wouldn't call a 660/40 hard to find (SDP made, or serialed at least, up to the same ranges as most of the others - all mfg made roughly the same ranges in 1940, only Mauser blew them all away, but MB & JPS also made a lot of rifles in 1940, all the rest roughly the same numbers made & observed), but they sure have a following and are desirable, almost always sell for more than their "rarity" would suggest is reasonable. Probably all the sinister talk about the company, which in large measure is true (its nazi & SS ties, though much is idiocy too... far overstated up to 1943 and even after more is made of it than probably occurred) plays a role in that. Personally I think the company is more interesting than the rifles, - probably the most interesting of all the 98k makers, and entirely due to its nazi connections and ownership by the nazi state.

 

[artyldr01]

It look s original, from what you show, - I assume the right receiver is e/623 x4? It has a blank siderail? It should also have acceptance on the RS of the stock. I agree it does look sanded, I think there is little question of that, but the RS clarity is pretty important to value, but I think the stock is original at least.

Yes, it does have the e/623 x4, blank siderail and the acceptance marks/WaA and SN on the stock. I have added more photos.

Ultimately I am happy with the rifle and still think I got a pretty good deal, any thoughts on what sanding does to the value? I now have an RC bnz. 41 and an amazing "j block" P.35(p) Vis Radom for my little Steyr collection.

Again, struggling with pics but here are a couple of the sides. I will send stock photos next.

 

[artyldr01]

Here are some photos of the stock.

Thank you again very much. I know 660s aren't the holy grail but I like where this fits with my other Steyr weapons. The history of them is unique and definitely add to my interest but each of these artifacts has a story to tell, no matter what side of a conflict they are on and it helps me to convey that history. I am not a weapons collector, per se, I am a history buff who likes weapons as the medium to share and educate.

 

[Loewe]

Its not as bad as i thought, probably minimal influence on value, but you can bet someone buying will consider it if you sell it. Really not a rare rifle, but not easy to find matching and problem free. Most have one problem or another, most more than yours, which are minimal overall. Value is difficult to say, around $1500 is probably a safe range, maybe more if you are creative on Gun Broker...

Not a rc enthusiast, possibly one of the harshest critics of their "value" and importance to collectors. Especially the jagoffs on Gunboards-98k that speak of their investment potential.. suckering new collectors to prop up their poor investment decisions... but this rifle is worthwhile and something that will hold value.

 

[artyldr01]

Thank you for the input! It is definitely one of my new favorites.

As to RCs I know they have less monetary value, comparatively, but I still find them interesting from a historical perspective. They were also the "gateway drug" to bigger and better things in the way that refurbished M91/30s were to my interest in Finnish captured weapons and the way the first, rough, GI bring back FN 640b I found in a backwoods store fired my interest in "occupation made" weapons.

I look forward to learning more. I am reading the K98k book set as we speak!
Now I am learning about bayonets and slings.