[gremlin1945]

This should get some action going.
What would you say the pecking order is for wartime mausers?My picks

1)Vet bringbacks all match
2) " " mismatching
3)Import marked matching
4) " " mismatching
5)Refurbs by other countries (excluding RCs)
6)All sorts of sporterized
7)Bubba specials
8)Tie MMs and some of the Gray blanket specials
9)Obvious frauds

Did I miss anything?

 

[CanadianAR]

Where do you put RC? Id put RC before bubba but after a restorable sporter. But otherwise id agree with you.

 

[PK 637]

I think you'd do better to break down the too-general "refurbs by other countries." This could include Norwegian, French, Israeli, Yugoslavian, Iraqi... covers quite a bit of good and bad right there, and that's just a start. But pursuant to your ranking, are you saying that you'd honestly prefer a Yugo rework to an all-matching Vet bringback with a butchered stock (which would come under the "all sorts of sporterized" heading)? If so... wow.

Can't really see the point of trying to quantify something that, once you get past the obvious top choices, is almost entirely subjective and at the mercy of individual collecting tastes, but could be fun to see what others think.

 

[MauserGuy85]

I agree with PK, after the obvious top 2-3 most collectable k98ks, its entirely subjective.... But

Here's my list. Top being best, most valuable and collectable.

1) All matching mint bore Vet bring backs. No duffle cut, no sanded stock, etc. No issues. No import marks. Rare codes/contract rifles at a premium.

2) All matching vet bring backs or all matching old imports (discreet barrel "germany" stamp) with small issues (lightly sanded stock, duffle cut stock, good bore, worn bluing, etc)

3) Vet bring backs all matching with non matching but matching to itself bolt.

4) Original Stock cut down but otherwise all matching metal complete Actions, bolt, TG etc. Big plus when the original stock parts come with the rifle. Known as "Candidates for Restorations". Say what you will but the matching metal is the real deal original German "as left the factory" 98k and that beats a total mixmaster or refurb any day.

5) Norwegian post war reworks


6) East German reworks


7) French Reworks of course excluding the rifles produced by MO for the French after they captured the factory (those are close to the top in collectability)


8) Czech post war 98k's (mint examples with non-scrubbed receivers are superb COLLECTER'S pieces and they scream quality)


9) RC's (because of all the added possible cold war history and current market values)


10) Balkan imports (Albanian mostly, unpeened, and only if the bore is good or better)


11) Yugo reworks (usually the bores are mint and make for great tack drivers)


12) Iraqi Reworks


13) Israeli reworks


14) "unrestorable" sporters (original barrel gone, bolt handle bent in a figure "8", drilled through receiver for crappy mounts, etc) Regardless still shoot well.


15) Mitchell's mausers, Bubba special horror jobs, "humper specials" (all the same to me, $50 is what I would pay if that)

I will add that repro 98k snipers deserve a place as well, but they are very subjective value wise. Personally I think they are worth the sum of the parts plus some extra for quality of Gunsmithing work performed.

 

[robcox1]

I agree with PK, after the obvious top 2-3 most collectable k98ks, its entirely subjective.... But

Here's my list. Top being best, most valuable and collectable.

1) All matching mint bore Vet bring backs. No duffle cut, sanded stock, etc. No issues. No import marks. Rare codes/contract rifles at a premium.

2) All matching vet bring backs with small issues (sanded/duffle cut stock, good bore, worn bluing, etc)

3) Vet bring backs all matching with non matching but matching to itself bolt.

...

I like your list but I would reverse numbers 2 & 3. I would prefer a mm bolt rifle that is otherwise untouched to an all matching rifle that has a sanded or duffle-cut stock. Like everyone has already stated, this is obviously entirely subjective.

 

[TMann]

I think I'd go with the guidlines that MauserGuy has set forth. Like others have said, it is purely subjective in some minor areas, but is overall a pretty good reference.

 

[Austin]

Question. Were there early( late 40's, 1950's) imports of matching correct Nazi era 98k's with no import stamps ? If so, is there no way to tell them apart from bringbacks ?

 

[Milsurp2.0]

Question. Were there early( late 40's, 1950's) imports of matching correct Nazi era 98k's with no import stamps ? If so, is there no way to tell them apart from bringbacks ?

Yes there were all matching imports. Back then numbers were not important. They will usually have a small discreet Germany stamp on the floorplate or the rearsight base.

 

[eli]

Where are you guys seeing Iraqi reworks available that they get placed so low down the list?

 

[MauserGuy85]

IMO and Ive seen quite a few even in the last few months... The rifles are usually very "tired" condition wise. Bluing gone, bores worn, plus anyway you cut it, it's a Post war rework... I suppose it can be switched with the yugo on my list or even between the RC and Balkan import, but I prefer a better bore since its a rework anyhow. Also from what I understand, the Iraqi reworks are reworks of the East German reworks so it's a refurb of a refurb....

 

[eli]

Gotcha

Thx

 

[Pisgah]

Originality and matching status trump all else. A matching and original condition rifle with an import marking whether "Germany", Hansen's, or CAI trumps an otherwise similar bolt mismatch or stock mismatch without the import marking. There are not that many matching, original condition Kar.98k's with import marks, but when found they are just a small step down from the same rifle without the import marking. It might be different if the matching, original condition rifle had the current style of billboard markings on the left of the receiver ring, but I doubt if we will ever see that. The import markings I'm talking about tend to be discrete.

 

[Regis Rex]

Ditto what Pisgah said. Original and matching first, bolt mismatch second, everything else is subjective.

 

[PK 637]

MauserGuy, excellent list. I might switch a number here or there, but all in all it's spot on.

 

[Jonnin]

what happened to like new all matching warehouse stored pieces? Or was this 98s only, missed the forum in the "whats new list" ...

 

[MauserGuy85]

what happened to like new all matching warehouse stored pieces? Or was this 98s only, missed the forum in the "whats new list" ...

Are you talking about the "newly discovered" German k98k rifle crates filled with factory new k98k hidden in secret German bunkers? Lol

 

[Jonnin]

Are you talking about the "newly discovered" German k98k rifle crates filled with factory new k98k hidden in secret German bunkers? Lol

Haha no I missed the specialized section for k98 as I was poking around in the "whats newly posted" screen. I realized it afterward.

 

[gremlin1945]

Where do you put RC? Id put RC before bubba but after a restorable sporter. But otherwise id agree with you.

Oversight.RC should be #6.

 

[Milsurp2.0]

Say what you will but the matching metal is the real deal original German "as left the factory" 98k and that beats a total mixmaster or refurb any day.
HMMM. I dunno.

And the East German reworks are far more collectible to me than a Norwegian rework.

 

[MauserGuy85]

Say what you will but the matching metal is the real deal original German "as left the factory" 98k and that beats a total mixmaster or refurb any day.
HMMM. I dunno.

And the East German reworks are far more collectible to me than a Norwegian rework.

Clint,

We all have our opinions, but like I said its MY LIST. To defend my position on the list. Here are the facts. Norweigian 98ks are MUCH harder the find than EG reworks on the market. They are highly collectable. The Norg 98ks are in a very desirable caliber usually for the US and Canada (30-06), they still have German swastikas on them and manufacturer codes and other than the usually new like bores, they retain most of their original German parts with just 2 added norweigian serials on the receiver and buttplate. The bluing is almost spot on German as well.

The EG reworks generally sell and are valued at much lower prices, have the firing proofs peened, and have bolt flats that are grinded and restamped, with sometimes the safeties ep'd. Stocks are many times non original to the rifle and the bands are non matching as well. I've seen some EG reworks with capture "x" marks on forums as well and from what I understand it happens with them.

Now to the "sporters" that are untouched other for the stock being cut down.... I honestly don't see why they are valued so low, especially with a nice replacement correct year and manufacturer stock? That's fine by me though, leaves more of these gems for me! Btw, what's your stance on a byf45 all matching barreled action, TG, FP, bolt with a cut down stock when you find an unnumbered correct late byf full kriegs stock.... All the parts on the stock are unnumbered. Put the two together and then You have an ALL matching late war rifle worth 2k easy.....