Rifle Evaluation for sale to a Collector

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canthony51791

Member
I have in my possession what I believe to be a unique rifle. I have done the research extensively but have had differing feed back. This rifle had its stock sporterized but the rest is all still original and intact. duv 40 code indicates this rifle to be a 1940 Berlin Lübecker manufactured Mauser model 98k. Chambered in 7.92x57mm (8mm mauser.) "k" series 5313 serial number. The barrel, bolt, receiver, and all other components are matching numbers. There is the Nazi eagle and swastika insignia all over this rifle. There are very few examples of this date and manufacturing code in existence. Especially with matching numbers. From my research all of the known examples that match this rifle are all linked to the Afrika Korps troops who fought in the African desert campaign. I know the stock being sporterized will take some value off, but it being a matching number example of a very rare early war production it still has to have value. What would you consider the value to be? I can't upload any photos as the attachments are to large. But will send them via email if necessary.
 
$1000 maybe $1500 tops since it is a less common code. Don't let the "omg the stock is cut down it's now a parts rifle even worse collector value than a Russian capture" people put you down too much. As long as all the metal is matching a stock is easy enough to replace.
 
Depending on how the stock was modified, odds are the rifle is not actually matching. Are the original barrel bands, handguard and bayonet lug still present? If not, it'll never be all matching. Those were all numbered to match, at least in 1940. If they are all present, then that helps.
 
While not too common, it isn't really rare, the stock is not a small issue and Wolfsburg makes a good point with bands, bp, and bandspring....

I don't follow prices these days but Jake is probably right in the ballpark... you have good advice above.

**this range has more than a few rc's in trends so the Rommel scenario is a stretch. Also quite a few norge's to boot, -while your rifle isn't either rc or norge, the rationale for AK is flimsy to say the least.
 
Photos: need to be about 1mb to upload here. Shrink the photos with software or send them to yourself & post the resulting downsized pix. Depending on the photos, I feel the values above are high, more than I’d be willing to pay for a cut down stock rifle. Take a look at the Photo reference forvrifles similar to yours:
www.k98kforum.com

duv 40 Commonwealth capture

duv 40 capture with Commonwealth markings and Commonwealth Military Provost / Military Police disc. The AA broad arrow could be Alexandria Arsenal depot, in Egypt. None of these rifles show up later than 1941 and all so identified with the AA broad arrow stock marking and a few with capture...
www.k98kforum.com www.k98kforum.com
 
Generally no collector will be interested in a barreled action per say

Without matching bands and bayo lug I would not pay more than $600.00 tops. Finding a correct 1940 Lubecker stock for under $500.00 would be a needle in a haystack and bands that do not match will greatly devalue the complete restoration. $1500.00 for that restored would not be easy.
As always IMO
 
This. Once its not complete & matching as we mean it here, there has to be something exceptional about it to bring ‘collector value’. Depot build, depot repair, es ess contract, G98 conversions, unusual barrel code, double struck firing proof, serial nr. 1, #10,000, etc.
Yes, he may find someone w/money burning a hole in his pocket who “needs” a duv 40 to fill a slot in a collection, but placeholders don’t bring top dollar.

People buy stuff that has challenges when it’s cheap.
 
Wolfsburg said:
Depending on how the stock was modified, odds are the rifle is not actually matching. Are the original barrel bands, handguard and bayonet lug still present? If not, it'll never be all matching. Those were all numbered to match, at least in 1940. If they are all present, then that helps.
Click to expand...
The lug is all that's missing. My uncle kept the barrel bands.
 
Wulfmann said:
Generally no collector will be interested in a barreled action per say

Without matching bands and bayo lug I would not pay more than $600.00 tops. Finding a correct 1940 Lubecker stock for under $500.00 would be a needle in a haystack and bands that do not match will greatly devalue the complete restoration. $1500.00 for that restored would not be easy.
As always IMO
Click to expand...
What do you mean by barreled? Do you mean re-barrelled? No the rifle has the original barrel, bolt, receiver, safety, and trigger group. I have the bands but unfortunately I was unable to find the lug. My Great Uncle Joe served in the US Army 9th Armored division through the entire War. He was already enlisted in the cavalry before the war. When war broke out the cavalry was disbanded and given tanks. There is actually a video on YouTube of my uncle being interviewed about his wartime service. Including going into Belgium for the Battle of the bulge at the town of Bastogne. My Uncle Joe gave me this rifle before he died. After his death I was able to go through his gun safe and supplies. I located the bands but the lug was not found.
Muncher 1953 said:
Photos: need to be about 1mb to upload here. Shrink the photos with software or send them to yourself & post the resulting downsized pix. Depending on the photos, I feel the values above are high, more than I’d be willing to pay for a cut down stock rifle. Take a look at the Photo reference forvrifles similar to yours:
www.k98kforum.com

duv 40 Commonwealth capture

duv 40 capture with Commonwealth markings and Commonwealth Military Provost / Military Police disc. The AA broad arrow could be Alexandria Arsenal depot, in Egypt. None of these rifles show up later than 1941 and all so identified with the AA broad arrow stock marking and a few with capture...
www.k98kforum.com www.k98kforum.com
Click to expand...
This is incredible information thank you. All known examples were captured before 1941?
 
What Wulfmann meant was that your rifle with the firing parts matching but stock & bands not matching, is that the matching parts are basically a “barreled action” when it comes to value. (what you have now) Your case is a little better because you have the bands, but for resale as a “collector grade” rifle, not having (in original form or repairable to that) THE original wood is a BIG hit. For a shooter, as ‘a decent example’ @waw44 has offered a good possibility for a replacement stock @ $500, that stock + your rifle w/parts may come into the $1000-$1500 bracket as a correct stock mismatch. You could include the original altered stock with the rifle w/replaced stock as a carrot, but it doesn’t really add value. If the original could be repaired by a skilled person, then doing that will bring the most value at sale.
“all known examples captured before 1941” where does that come from?
no, I simply attached a link to a documented rifle that was like yours when it left the factory, so you could have an idea of what it should look like.
 
Muncher 1953 said:
“barreled action” means the assembly of barrel, receiver, bolt, trigger, sear & cartridge feeding parts. The critical parts that make a rifle go bang, but no ‘handle’ to hold it with. basically a hammer without a handle (the stock & bands).

that’s not one in your current WTS, is it? (I just looked at those this AM)
Click to expand...

Nope, slowly claring the stash. Didn't put this one up on the chopping block yet. Was going to keep this one for a 1938 BLM based SSR project, but I got a nice walnut early Wa-214 Sauer stock I will probably use instead as it is more appropriate.
 
If waw44 would sell you the stock, I'd jump on it fast, that's probably as close go original as you're going to get, and good stocks are not cheap, not at all...of course depending on how it was sporterized, it might be able to be repaired using a forend from a donor stock...but if its sanded or recontoured your better off replacing the whole thing pics would help...having the bands is a big plus...its a good rifle, and great history, and a family heirloom, worth doing what has to be done to restore it.
 
canthony51791 said:
What do you mean by barreled? Do you mean re-barrelled? No the rifle has the original barrel, bolt, receiver, safety, and trigger group. I have the bands but unfortunately I was unable to find the lug. My Great Uncle Joe served in the US Army 9th Armored division through the entire War. He was already enlisted in the cavalry before the war. When war broke out the cavalry was disbanded and given tanks. There is actually a video on YouTube of my uncle being interviewed about his wartime service. Including going into Belgium for the Battle of the bulge at the town of Bastogne. My Uncle Joe gave me this rifle before he died. After his death I was able to go through his gun safe and supplies. I located the bands but the lug was not found.

This is incredible information thank you. All known examples were captured before 1941?
Click to expand...
The $5-600 I meant the original barrel and receiver with the complete matching bolt and trigger and in your case the complete matching trigger guard. But we now know you have both bands (Band spring as well, it is numbered?) so that increases the value (IMO)
Barreled receiver is the original barrel attached to the original receiver. No one suggested rebarrel
Barreled action is the original barrel and received with a complete bolt
What is your location? (NOT address just area)
It is beyond me people on forums like this do not include their location. Chances are slim but not impossible you live near someone that could help you with pictures.
We really need to see (pictures) the condition of the original stock as some have mentioned it may be repairable and that would be the best option
 
Op could email a member here willing to help and that member can post his pics. That’s a easy way to see what’s really going on here. “Have had differing feedback” could mean someone sees something that others have not like… a grinded off handguard retaining lip, some polishing of the bluing, etc.
 
Mauserguy85 said:
Op could email a member here willing to help and that member can post his pics. That’s a easy way to see what’s really going on here. “Have had differing feedback” could mean someone sees something that others have not like… a grinded off handguard retaining lip, some polishing of the bluing, etc.
Click to expand...
Tried, problem on sending side apparently.
 
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