Was this a real K98 Sniper rifle or just a clone?

[ArmedGinger]

So I spotted this for sale and it caught my eye but some things are really confusing. It's a Yugo K98 but it appears to be a decent fake or maybe a real one?

So the first thing that caught my eye was the split ring side mount. I didn't think there was such thing as a split ring mount besides reproductions. Now that normally doesn't matter since I'm more interested in a shooter anyways.

The side mount had markings that appear to be peened for some reason? Not sure why if it's a reproduction mount?

Scope is period correct at least with the serial number putting it in the proper era

Yugo markings

Serial number of rifle is U6911, now U Block serial numbers are generally a good sign for a real sniper rifle

Bolt serial number matches

Bottom metal serial number does not. Not a big deal.

I know nothing about the extended safeties on K98 rifles. This has the serial number for the rifle but I don't know if it was stamped to give more authenticity?

The seller is asking $3500 Canadian ($2500 USD) for the rifle. He has never shot it so can't confirm how it shoots. I just can't tell if it was a real K98 sniper rifle at one point with a reproduction mount or if it's just a fake.

 

[agalland]

So I spotted this for sale and it caught my eye but some things are really confusing. It's a Yugo K98 but it appears to be a decent fake or maybe a real one?

So the first thing that caught my eye was the split ring side mount. I didn't think there was such thing as a split ring mount besides reproductions. Now that normally doesn't matter since I'm more interested in a shooter anyways.

The side mount had markings that appear to be peened for some reason? Not sure why if it's a reproduction mount?

Scope is period correct at least with the serial number putting it in the proper era

Yugo markings

Serial number of rifle is U6911, now U Block serial numbers are generally a good sign for a real sniper rifle

Bolt serial number matches

Bottom metal serial number does not. Not a big deal.

I know nothing about the extended safeties on K98 rifles. This has the serial number for the rifle but I don't know if it was stamped to give more authenticity?

The seller is asking $3500 Canadian ($2500 USD) for the rifle. He has never shot it so can't confirm how it shoots. I just can't tell if it was a real K98 sniper rifle at one point with a reproduction mount or if it's just a fake.

 

[Absolut]

It was not a factory sniper and the safety and mount+base are reproductions. The scope is a commercial production scope.

 

[Zeppelin5000]

Worth no where near what he's selling it for. It's just a Yugo capture with a scope added.

 

[hale1940]

I have nothing really to add. Obviously a Yugo rework that some decided to turn into a sniper.

However I am glad that you made it over here OP. I saw your original post on CGN. The guys who frequent the milsurp forums there by and large don't know dick about 98k's or German rifles in general.

 

[ArmedGinger]

Well thanks to those that confirmed this is not real and thus not worth the asking price.

 

[hale1940]

Well thanks to those that confirmed this is not real and thus not worth the asking price.

Just fyi, if this was an actual period correct and matching German sniper then it would go for wayyy more than $3500 Cad.

The vast vast majority of these are fake. Over my time collecting Canada I’ve seen a number of ‘apparently’ real German snipers come up for sale in the $5k to $10k range, all of which were actually fantasy pieces.

The handful of confirmed real examples in Canada that I’m familiar with all went for +$20,000 CAD.

 

[ArmedGinger]

Just fyi, if this was an actual period correct and matching German sniper then it would go for wayyy more than $3500 Cad.

The vast vast majority of these are fake. Over my time collecting Canada I’ve seen a number of ‘apparently’ real German snipers come up for sale in the $5k to $10k range, all of which were actually fantasy pieces.

The handful of confirmed real examples in Canada that I’m familiar with all went for +$20,000 CAD.

Oh that is true but not everyone knows what they have. I've purchased a few guns in the past for a fraction of what they are worth.

 

[hale1940]

Oh that is true but not everyone knows what they have. I've purchased a few guns in the past for a fraction of what they are worth.

So have I, and its always possible. But finding an original and matching German sniper out of the woodwork in Canada is like finding a needle in a haystack. There were never very many original K98k’s up in Canada to begin with, let alone sniper variants.

What there is plenty of are fakes and postwar refurbs that guys believe, or try to pass off, as world war 2 era rifles. Nearly all the legit 98k’s in Canada were actually recent imports from the US… brought it by guys like me.

Thats why I find the Canadian collecting community in general has such a poor understanding of actual German issued 98’s. There were just never that many good examples for guys to get their hands on, study, etc.

 

[ArmedGinger]

So have I, and its always possible. But finding an original and matching German sniper out of the woodwork in Canada is like finding a needle in a haystack. There were never very many original K98k’s up in Canada to begin with, let alone sniper variants.

What there is plenty of are fakes and postwar refurbs that guys believe, or try to pass off, as world war 2 era rifles. Nearly all the legit 98k’s in Canada were actually recent imports from the US… brought it by guys like me.

Thats why I find the Canadian collecting community in general has such a poor understanding of actual German issued 98’s. There were just never that many good examples for guys to get their hands on, study, etc.

That being said, I don't mind a clone as long as it shoots and if it shoots really well then I don't mind paying a little more than going rate for it.

 

[nirvana]

How tough are K98s to find in Canada? It’s not worth $2,500.00 in the US, but I’ve got not idea of the market there.

 

[ArmedGinger]

How tough are K98s to find in Canada? It’s not worth $2,500.00 in the US, but I’ve got not idea of the market there.

An Israeli K98 in 7.62x51 will run about $1100. A Russian/yugo capture starts at $1100 and goes up depending on quality and numbers matching and whether the eagles are peened. A good quality numbers matching K98 will hit the $2500 mark. A Portuguese K98 in good condition and numbers matching will hit around $3000.

Sniper rifle clones are generally in the $2500 mark depending on what scope they have.

Real Sniper rifles generally start at $5000 and going up from there quickly.

 

[hale1940]

A good quality numbers matching K98 will hit the $2500 mark.

Real Sniper rifles generally start at $5000 and going up from there quickly.

$2500 CAD for a matching numbers and unmessed with K98k in Canada would definitely be a pretty good deal. I find they generally range more in $3k-$5k CAD range, depending on the code/condition/anomalies. $5k for a sniper would be a steal forsure, and frankly they are rarely ever around.

The problem with understanding the Canadian market is that the vast majority of what people see being sold as 'original' are just not actually that. Unless you are really familiar with original condition K98k's (or other German issued Mausers) it can be easy to take those misrepresented guns as reflective of the actual value of an authentic K98k up here.

I can't overstate the number of times I've talked with Canadian collectors and they tell me how they have X number of original 98k's etc. And then when I ask to see pictures they show me guns which are just not what they think they are. But they usually aren't interested in hearing that... lol