Rare coded k98's
- Thread starter Norto2704
- Start date
The issue is these aren't rare in Mismatched or RC trim. They are rare in original matching condition.
There were less made yes, but they all seem to turn up as RC. I've seen quite a few rare guns in Canada's recent import of Rc, but I don't consider them rare.
Personally I'd go with the best condition, unscrubed parts, less electro pencil, nice stocks, etc etc
There were less made yes, but they all seem to turn up as RC. I've seen quite a few rare guns in Canada's recent import of Rc, but I don't consider them rare.
Personally I'd go with the best condition, unscrubed parts, less electro pencil, nice stocks, etc etc
Warrior1354
ax - hole
Double codes would be another rare type. Especially the ax/ar code.
Exactly the case, there are a good number of condition rarities, but a meager few that are so rare that they are worth anything as an rc or thorough mismatch.
Although I never recommend buying refinished rifle, especially rc's, which are at best good shooters (obscenely overpriced "refinished shooters", entirely due to hype of a few opportunists on Gunboards and elsewhere...), the only maker-dates that are rare enough to consider a rc is:
S237/1936
BSW/1936 (this is worth picking up in any condition, most BSW are not rare enough to buy rc)
S27G
337/1939
S147k (maybe, low production anyway, most known are rc's)
S243G
swjXE (only SDP-bnz that is "rare" and only for its unusual code, 660/1939 are damn tough to find original, but not enough to go rc..)
While there are others that are condition rarities, or that are elusive, no others are rare enough to go "refinished", especially rc refinished (which is poorly refinished AND thorough mismatchers, - AND overpriced, they have it all against them, refinished, thoroughly mismatched and high prices, and propaganda about Stalingrad and Kursk, - and obscene KL connections, do not make up for the triple whammy...)
Although I never recommend buying refinished rifle, especially rc's, which are at best good shooters (obscenely overpriced "refinished shooters", entirely due to hype of a few opportunists on Gunboards and elsewhere...), the only maker-dates that are rare enough to consider a rc is:
S237/1936
BSW/1936 (this is worth picking up in any condition, most BSW are not rare enough to buy rc)
S27G
337/1939
S147k (maybe, low production anyway, most known are rc's)
S243G
swjXE (only SDP-bnz that is "rare" and only for its unusual code, 660/1939 are damn tough to find original, but not enough to go rc..)
While there are others that are condition rarities, or that are elusive, no others are rare enough to go "refinished", especially rc refinished (which is poorly refinished AND thorough mismatchers, - AND overpriced, they have it all against them, refinished, thoroughly mismatched and high prices, and propaganda about Stalingrad and Kursk, - and obscene KL connections, do not make up for the triple whammy...)
WaPrüf2
RIP
What about swp 45?
I have recorded 101 "German swp/45's, plus there are 32 Czech ones that I rarely record; I wouldn't consider it rare enough to buy an rc, but that would be true of 99.99% of rc's I have seen. The others listed are in the 20's, several like BSW/36 in the single digits (1), - perhaps a SMRS swp/45 if it showed up in rc would be "rare", but even the SMRS's aren't uncommon amongst swp/45's. Must be 20 or more recorded, none rc, but collecting variation of rc's is more absurd that collecting rc's, so probably not.
I should note that the list is general, I am sure there are specialists that could add a rifle or two, though most variation "rarities" would be excluded because the variations depend on something other than the barreled receiver, - like the stock variations or rifles that the Bolsheviks didn't "save", like the G12/34 (a 1938 would be pretty elusive), but generally, I do not think the rc is worth "collecting" because it is crudely refinished, thoroughly mismatched, and overpriced (because of hype and lazy people who will not take the time to look for a better rifle, which is almost any other 98k - the old argument that people buy the rc as an entry level rifle or they do not have the means is erroneous, bolt & stock mismatchers are routinely sold in rc ranges, so the real reason most people buy the rc is because they are lazy and careless with "their" money, which is perfectly legitimate, but let us not disguise the real reasons..)
I should note that the list is general, I am sure there are specialists that could add a rifle or two, though most variation "rarities" would be excluded because the variations depend on something other than the barreled receiver, - like the stock variations or rifles that the Bolsheviks didn't "save", like the G12/34 (a 1938 would be pretty elusive), but generally, I do not think the rc is worth "collecting" because it is crudely refinished, thoroughly mismatched, and overpriced (because of hype and lazy people who will not take the time to look for a better rifle, which is almost any other 98k - the old argument that people buy the rc as an entry level rifle or they do not have the means is erroneous, bolt & stock mismatchers are routinely sold in rc ranges, so the real reason most people buy the rc is because they are lazy and careless with "their" money, which is perfectly legitimate, but let us not disguise the real reasons..)
Thank you for all your replies. They are all very informative. Unfortunately. Some countries have very limited access to k98's let alone original matching numbered ones. Australian servicemen weren't allowed to "bring back" weapons. So any opportunity to own a piece of history however fractured. You take. I don't think it's laziness it's "take what you can get".
Again thank for all the comments. I have very a large amount to learn. But you keep looking and someday you might get lucky with an amazing find. Until that day happens I'm happy to buy k98's that I can either just look at or shoot or both. Just thinking about the history of these rifles is intriguing in itself.
Matt
Matt
Canada also has basically no k98k in original trim. I've found a few and imported a few.
I don't think it's wrong to buy a few RC to mess around with and learn, especially if there aren't a lot down there. BUT I wouldn't go looking for special codes. Just buy the best condition ones you can find. And search harder for originals. Canadians couldn't bring hem home either but some ended up here. There was a member here with quite a few, he lived in Aust.
Thanks mate. You're right I'm buying the best I can and even some that aren't. A very few importers bring and usually years apart. There was a lot Israeli one bought in the 80's and 90's but most get cut up and made into something else. Besides gabbing something is better than nothing. Besides even in another 20-50 years even RC might be worth more than they are now. There was a matching numbers k98 for sale just recently for over $3000 no special. Yet they are selling for 1200-1400 even mis matched. It's ridiculous I know but supply and demand. A nice RC sells for at least $750. So everyone must start somewhere I suppose
ReiseReise
Well-known member
I find it interesting that there is so much "purist hate" for RCs, and yet German-done field refurbishments are such an area of interest (and, seemingly, value): replacement/swapped parts are just that, whether they come from a different serial number (RC) or a field repair stockpile (German repair). The fact is that K98s were mass-produced, meaning their parts should be fully interchangeable (discounting any mid-production updates that may prevent certain parts from being swapped). Rifle "x" could just as easily have ended up with bolt "y" on the line, but the fact that it has rifle "x"s serial number stamped in it makes it matching; bolt "y" would work just fine in it, too.
Although the rules seem to be different, I always try to consider things in terms of how cars are collected: numbers-matching is always worth the most, sure, but a restored model with a correct engine, even if not numbers matching, still attracts attention - they're not "worthless" like how RCs seem to be considered in the K98 community. Sure, RCs may be only valued as shooters (like "drivers" in the car world), but they deserve to be restored and maintained as such for future generations to experience what it must have been like to shoot such a weapon, and as such IMO RCs deserve some respect. It's nice to look at a nice numbers-matching hanging on a wall (like a "garage queen" car), but it's a gun, it's meant to spit lead at things! Just like I would not spend the big-bucks to get a collector car I'm too afraid to drive, I'd never buy a collector gun I was too afraid to shoot (unless I just wanted it as art).
On a related note, the idea that the Russian preservation varnish should be preserved on RCs makes no sense to me: again I liken it to something like a Hemi Roadrunner that has been painted with pink latex house paint: you wouldn't leave that on, would you? No, you'd strip it off and put the original paint colour on it. Sure, it's not the car's original, actual paint, but restoring it to the original colour makes it more valuable. Having a nice-looking representation of the "breed" (K98, in this case), that does what Mauser intended (shoots, and shoots well!), is to me the spirit of this hobby. Some battle scars just add to the history and "realism" of the situation.