Kar 88 All Matching Help

[Trevor1680]

I recently aquired a Kar 88 that appears to be all matching and in great condition. From what I can tell everything on the gun is marked with i6497 or 6497. Even the small parts like the trigger assembly, barrell band, and even bolts have a small 97 and proof marks on them. As a aside I am 50/50 on if it is too good to be true but I dont know the market for Kar 88s and if it is good enough to fake the markings on one let alone be this thorough with it. The one thing that seems not to be matching is the nose cap and I am hoping you guys can tell me if it came off of another gun or if I am truly sitting on an all original piece. Maybe this rifle was re-issued and they just put a new nose cap on it so they can place the unit markings? I would think it would either have a 6497 or a 97 but from what I can tell that is not the case. I will upload more pictures I just need to compress them so I can upload them on here.

 

[cj556]

The nose cap is definitely mismatched unfortunately. Impossible to say how replaced they nosecap too.

 

[chrisftk]

M/m nosecaps are something you see on these as the ears were often cutoff post war and folks replaced the cut ones with intact ones. I wouldn't sweat that one mismatch part though. It really is of minimal consequence on value.

 

[Trevor1680]

M/m nosecaps are something you see on these as the ears were often cutoff post war and folks replaced the cut ones with intact ones. I wouldn't sweat that one mismatch part though. It really is of minimal consequence on value.

What would you say the value of the rifle is?

 

[cj556]

I don’t think there’s enough information or pictures to say what the value is here

 

[Trevor1680]

I don’t think there’s enough information or pictures to say what the value is here

I added some pictures to the original post hopefully that helps. Here are some more as well.

 

[Trevor1680]

I have added the pictures.

 

[chrisftk]

It looks to be a nicer Bavarian contract Haenel with a chevauleger (cavalry marking)

Probably worth at or about $1k.

 

[Trevor1680]

It looks to be a nicer Bavarian contract Haenel with a chevauleger (cavalry marking)

Probably worth at or about $1k.

But since the Nose cap does not match we do not know if the rest of the rifle was sent to the 5th Royal Bavarian Chevau-légers "Archduke Albrecht of Austria" correct or is there another way to tell? Either way thanks for the help, I paid about $750 for it so I got a rifle I like and for a good price.

 

[chrisftk]

Unfortunately, no other way to tell.
I was just translating the mark in your pictures.

 

[rk5n]

Anecdotally I've seen quite a few Kar 88's unit marked to Bavarian Chevau-légers, it's very common. My sporter Kar 88 has a cross outed 3rd B.Ch marking on the barrel band, unfortunately the nose cap was missing and that's probably where they re-stamped.

 

[TRON]

There is something funky going on with the front of the magwell. It shouldn't be at an angle and looks poorly welded on the stock is also hogged out for it to fit.

 

[PrayingMantis]

There is something funky going on with the front of the magwell. It shouldn't be at an angle and looks poorly welded on the stock is also hogged out for it to fit.

What image are you referring to? It looks normal to me.

 

[Trevor1680]

There is something funky going on with the front of the magwell. It shouldn't be at an angle and looks poorly welded on the stock is also hogged out for it to fit.

Are you refering to this? If that is the case I noticed that to.

 

[Trevor1680]

What image are you referring to? It looks normal to me.

I think he means this one.

 

[PrayingMantis]

I see it now. I was looking at the magazine, not the receiver.

 

[TRON]

Correct, it should be vertical and sits on top of the square notch on the lower. It shouldn’t effect function in its current form. I just can’t think of a scenario for how it ended up like that.

 

[Trevor1680]

Correct, it should be vertical and sits on top of the square notch on the lower. It shouldn’t effect function in its current form. I just can’t think of a scenario for how it ended up like that. View attachment 358588

Yeah mine has some booger welds on it, I am just glad bubba did not do worse. I did not notice any function issues or feeding issues with it though. I might find a good welder and gun smith to do it right and use your pic as reference. I need to figure out the ammo situation with it first though. Then have to source some ammo as well.