I need help identifying a k98 and possibly determining the value

[SK313TORRR]

I recently acquired the rifle from a family member I just need some information about it. I'm interested in any information about it these are photos I have of the markings and it has all matching numbers. From what I read I'm missing the bayonet, cleaning rod and the safety lever on the rear of the bolt.

 

[nirvana]

You need to get pictures of all the numbered bits, as well as some shots showing the stock.

 

[biggymu]

And some better lighting

 

[bnz41john]

We will need to see alot more of the rifle inorder to give you some real information. So far we can tell you have a gustloff werke barreled receiver that was made in 1942.

 

[Loewe]

I recently acquired the rifle from a family member I just need some information about it. I'm interested in any information about it these are photos I have of the markings and it has all matching numbers. From what I read I'm missing the bayonet, cleaning rod and the safety lever on the rear of the bolt.

While what others stated is true (a valid opinion needs more details and pictures) the real issue is whether the stock and bolt match and are original. The bolt sounds like it might be an issue but the stock is key to any value... by this time frame the stock would be pretty sterile, but externally serialing ends in this range, d-e block (my bet is absent by this range, but could exist... if so it would be helpful to confirm) and contractor marked, it is important that some details fit known characteristics (as to originality and therefore value).

 

[Herk1994]

If you need us to put in the effort to make an assessment of this rifle, much less a valuation, then you need to put in the effort and time into giving people here more to work with than a couple dim photos.

So many visit here these days with these drive-by posts looking for a quick snappy response. I’m not sure whether or not that’s another biproduct of our modern “gimme dat now” world, but it gets terribly annoying it happens so much.

 

[Zeppelin5000]

If you need us to put in the effort to make an assessment of this rifle, much less a valuation, then you need to put in the effort and time into giving people here more to work with than a couple dim photos.

So many visit here these days with these drive-by posts looking for a quick snappy response. I’m not sure whether or not that’s another biproduct of our modern “gimme dat now” world, but it gets terribly annoying it happens so much.

This. I'd say the OP is one of those that never returns after their single post.

 

[Cyrano4747]

This. I'd say the OP is one of those that never returns after their single post.

I'm of a split opinion with this kind of thing. On the one hand, I try my best to make this hobby approachable and appealing to people who are getting started. There's a lot of BS in collecting surplus weapons in general that can be pretty impenetrable to a newbie, and it gets exponentially worse with German stuff. Not everyone has the time or inclination to post on a message board all day, and just because someone doesn't want to do that doesn't mean they shouldn't have a hand figuring out what this old rifle they got from Grandpa's estate is worth. Hell, if nothing else it helps prevent them from becoming a victim when they walk into a gun show or pawn shop with it.

But on the other hand I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tired of being an unpaid appraiser and there's nothing quite like settling in to a page of new threads only to see that three quarters of them are "how much is this worth?" posts. Kind of shits up the board and makes it less interesting to read.

Maybe the solution would be a fast answers/appraisals subforum? Just break all that stuff out somewhere else for the people who care to be charitable enough to donate their time to the drive-by posters?

 

[Muncher 1953]

I recently acquired the rifle from a family member I just need some information about it. I'm interested in any information about it these are photos I have of the markings and it has all matching numbers. From what I read I'm missing the bayonet, cleaning rod and the safety lever on the rear of the bolt.

as info, while bayonets were issued to each soldat, they didn’t match the rifles, ever.
the cleaning rod was probably lost, or bent & discarded post war.
the safety was probably broken from rough handling ( capture pile, not protected during shipping, etc)

“matching”: the reason we’re asking for photos is that many newer collectors come here thinking their rifle is “matching”, but often they aren’t or have been renumbered. the experts here can confirm or deny the issue from clear, well-lit & in-focus photos.

 

[Bob in OHIO]

Maybe the solution would be a fast answers/appraisals subforum? Just break all that stuff out somewhere else for the people who care to be charitable enough to donate their time to the drive-by posters?

My suggestion is appraisals cost $50, and funds go to support this website. The mechanics can be worked out about what, how, and who does the appraisal by the moderators.

 

[Herk1994]

Here’s the elephant in the room. I generally despise appraisal questions from new guys. Very seldom is it that someone asks for appraisal because of insurance value IMO. Most of the time the unspoken goal is, “I just inherited granddaddy’s rifle and I wanna know how much I can get for it”.

This website is for the discussion and appreciation of these rifles, not to tell you how much you can go get for a family heirloom to put towards your new iPad purchase.

 

[Cyrano4747]

Here’s the elephant in the room. I generally despise appraisal questions from new guys. Very seldom is it that someone asks for appraisal because of insurance value IMO. Most of the time the unspoken goal is, “I just inherited granddaddy’s rifle and I wanna know how much I can get for it”.

This website is for the discussion and appreciation of these rifles, not to tell you how much you can go get for a family heirloom to put towards your new iPad purchase.

Sure, but the flip side of this coin is that not everyone is into guns and just because someone doesn't want Grandpa's war rifle in the house doesn't mean they should get fleeced by some asshole who tells them that an all matching K98k is worth $300.

I've been in that situation before, helping family figure out what a deceased relative's collection is worth. Heck just last year my dead (for 4 years now) uncle's wife found four Russian SKSs in the attic. Basically "new in box" in the sense of in all the paper and the boxes that they came in from Century in the 90s/00s. He just tucked them away. She was a bit surprised when I told her that all told she was sitting on a couple thousand dollars, more than one person had implied they were basically garbage and offered to do her a favor and give her a few hundred. Don't even get me started on the Weatherby's that walked out the door with a cousin and into a pawn shop where he got pennies on the dollar.

People don't deserve to get robbed, even if they don't appreciate the guns the way we do.

edit: heck, if nothing else knowing it's valuable sometimes keeps them from handing them off to the local PD for disposal.

 

[Zeppelin5000]

For quick valuations, new people should just go to Facebook or Reddit first. I know, I know, those are places that can be a cesspool of misinformation, but there are quite a few of members here that are in 98k groups on both platforms that typically set the record straight. The people who know don't know what they're talking about are typically weeded out by those that do.

People who want more information other than just value and want to delve into the historical aspect of these rifles should come here. People who want to know everything they can and potentially continue on as 98k collectors. These one and done posters do get annoying and clog up the forum.

 

[Herk1994]

Sure, but the flip side of this coin is that not everyone is into guns and just because someone doesn't want Grandpa's war rifle in the house doesn't mean they should get fleeced by some asshole who tells them that an all matching K98k is worth $300.

I've been in that situation before, helping family figure out what a deceased relative's collection is worth. Heck just last year my dead (for 4 years now) uncle's wife found four Russian SKSs in the attic. Basically "new in box" in the sense of in all the paper and the boxes that they came in from Century in the 90s/00s. He just tucked them away. She was a bit surprised when I told her that all told she was sitting on a couple thousand dollars, more than one person had implied they were basically garbage and offered to do her a favor and give her a few hundred. Don't even get me started on the Weatherby's that walked out the door with a cousin and into a pawn shop where he got pennies on the dollar.

People don't deserve to get robbed, even if they don't appreciate the guns the way we do.

edit: heck, if nothing else knowing it's valuable sometimes keeps them from handing them off to the local PD for disposal.

And that is true. So I revise my comment. The majority is still true, but only a small amount ask for insurance purposes and with good intent.

My point is, the effortless drive-bys get old. You want answers, freely provided by knowledgeable members with years of effort and experience, then put in the effort.