Advice for this Gew98M

[Bocian]

Hey everyone,
Once again i am asking for some help. I came across a Gew98M and i was wondering what you guys think about it. The seller told me it has matching serial numbers. the price is listed currently for $1250. I was wondering if this is a good price for something like this.

Thank you,

some of the images were too big so i uploaded them to Imgur:

https://imgur.com/a/vbtgAUB

 

[pzjgr]

There is no way to tell from the pics provided...but IF it actually all matching and correct, I'd say its a good deal.

 

[hale1940]

The bolt has definitely been replaced. Its blank (no serial) and the bluing is far less worn than on the receiver.

 

[pzjgr]

The bolt has definitely been replaced. Its blank (no serial) and the bluing is far less worn than on the receiver.

Yeah, I noticed it look like it might be either blank or scrubbed, but couldn't be sure with the pic...if the bolt is a mismatch, I would start looking for other problems. If the seller can't figure out a blank or scrubbed bolt isn't a problem, he's probably full of it on the rest of it...

 

[Jdt]

The bolt has definitely been replaced. Its blank (no serial) and the bluing is far less worn than on the receiver.

The bolt has been refinished to me, I can just barely make out a 7 on the bolt root when you really blow up the picture. The finish wear on the rest of the rifle VS bolt doesn't give me the best feeling about it. Also missing a capture screw but not a deal breaker yet imo.

 

[Bocian]

The bolt has been refinished to me, I can just barely make out a 7 on the bolt root when you really blow up the picture. The finish wear on the rest of the rifle VS bolt doesn't give me the best feeling about it. Also missing a capture screw but not a deal breaker yet imo.

Should i try to negotiate the price down since the bolt looks refinished and it's missing a screw? I'm not too familiar how a different bolt could cause problems if it's been refinished.

 

[Jdt]

Should i try to negotiate the price down since the bolt looks refinished and it's missing a screw? I'm not too familiar how a different bolt could cause problems if it's been refinished.

You can try, I scored my 1899 Spandau for 1,150 or so before taxes, fees and shipping costs.

 

[pzjgr]

Should i try to negotiate the price down since the bolt looks refinished and it's missing a screw? I'm not too familiar how a different bolt could cause problems if it's been refinished.

I wouldn't do anything until you verify to what extent it is matching and correct or not. You cannot do that with the photo's provided. The rifle would technically have to be dis-assembled, and all the numbers checked. If you really want it to be vetted here, look at the picture reference section and see what pictures are needed to truly assess the rifle. Otherwise its a total crap shoot.

It also looks like the stock has been sanded a bit, which also effects value...there is a lot to look at and evaluate to come up with any sort of evaluation....

 

[Bocian]

I wouldn't do anything until you verify to what extent it is matching and correct or not. You cannot do that with the photo's provided. The rifle would technically have to be dis-assembled, and all the numbers checked. If you really want it to be vetted here, look at the picture reference section and see what pictures are needed to truly assess the rifle. Otherwise its a total crap shoot.

It also looks like the stock has been sanded a bit, which also effects value...there is a lot to look at and evaluate to come up with any sort of evaluation....

Gotcha yeah i can def ask for those pictures or even look at it myself, It would be a bit harder to disassemble unless purchased but i can also take a more closer look at the ref photos on this forum as well.

 

[Loewe]

You need to start with pictures of the underside of the wrist (small of the stock), there should be acceptance that could date its last work. - the most valuable pictures are on the stock, it has to be original to the rifle to be worth much, doubtful if it Imperial because the rear band, RR qualifiers and RSS all have signs of the rearmament program; with the barrel being original this was certainly a black rifle 1919-1929 (state-army backed paramilitary)....

I doubt this rifle is worth more than $800-900 at most, now if the bolt matched (and stock of course), $1200 might be a bargain but between the variables and dubious bolt this will take miracle to be worth $900 (the very first place to start is the stock, every thing matters with the stock, does it match, acceptance (at the wrist), how is the buttplate marked, what is the bolt details (bolts are important to value, some are worth $$, - much else matters besides..)

 

[Bocian]

I asked the seller for some more pictures and info on the bolt and stock and this is what i got:
Bolt is WW2 bolt not numbered, no number on stock, butt plate matching 706 number.

 

[pzjgr]

Thats an Armorers bolt....that makes a difference, and the buttplate helps...I'd (personally) be inclined to roll the dice and grab it. I'd try and talk him down a bit, say $1000-$1100, but if he dug his heels in I'd likely pay up, its got potential, IMHO.

ETA point out the signs of sanding on the stock, you can see on the recoil lug, both sides where whoever sanded it hit the lug, rounded corners that should be sharp, might get him to knock a bit off...he likely doesn't know about armorers parts, so you can try to knock a bit off for the "un-numbered" bolt..

The more Imperial/Weimar guys might not agree, but I like it from what I see...

 

[luftpirate]

Stock has been sanded down you can even see where they hit the recoil lug bolt. Bolt doesn't match. Sub 1000 dollar rifle, not matching.

 

[pzjgr]

Stock has been sanded down you can even see where they hit the recoil lug bolt. Bolt doesn't match. Sub 1000 dollar rifle, not matching.

Armorer bolt, those are worth their weight in gold...agreed stock has been sanded, I'd be in for $1k to $1200....if you could get it for sub $1k, I'd jump on it in a heartbeat...but thats just me.

 

[Loewe]

I would hard pass if this is it, much rests on the bolt being virgin and no scrubbing or alterations, but if turns out unaltered maybe $800 or so but you're taking a serious risk overall, based upon these pictures (the bolt rests upon itself for value, if married to the rifle originally it would be serialed in some fashion to the rifle)

** Pricing estimates are not based upon any current appreciation of todays commercial market, I haven't bought a rifle in ten years... but should be taken for what they are, based upon 10-15 years ago and being conservative (suspicious of your average gundealer, flipper or seller on auction sites); personally collector to collector is (byfar) the best way to buy a poorly "defined" rifle like this... this case it is especially true as Republican era is the biggest area for variations and a shortage of facts, this area is the biggest minefield as "rework and oddballs" are the norm for this period.

 

[chrisftk]

The bolt is probably the most valuable part of that rifle. I would probably pay $400-500 for that alone, as 98M armor bolts don't grow on trees. The rest of the rifle is a hard pass, IMO

 

[pzjgr]

The bolt is probably the most valuable part of that rifle. I would probably pay $400-500 for that alone, as 98M armor bolts don't grow on trees. The rest of the rifle is a hard pass, IMO

Interdasting....well, I'd go by what both you and Paul think on this one...Imperial and inter-war stuff isn't my forte, I thoughtthis held enough potential to be worth the stretch maybe...I did recognize the Armorer bolt at least...

 

[Bocian]

This is regarding a totally different rifle but i stumbled upon a gunbroker auction but the serial number looks like the picture i attached. Any reason a serial number can churn out looking like this? I'm still learning a few things here and there. It's a 1915 waffen that's looks reworked into a G98M.

 

[Loewe]

SCW probably, but the reserialing isn't German imo... With one photo its anyone's guess

 

[CloudDancer]

What exactly is an "Armorers Bolt?"