Value on All Matching, Non-Import, BYF 45 K-98 with Original Sling

[rockisle1903]

Finish will all most always come right off with stripper, its the ones which were stained that are difficult. Regardless what people think laminate stocks left the factory with no finish of any kind. Walnut had a oil finish, probably linseed but German documents do not state what. The dark brownish color of most all laminate stocks comes from dirt and perhaps the troops used oil on them. At any rate nothing would penetrate the first 1/16" layer of wood, as the 'glue' used is an epoxy resin, which will absorb nothing! All the other stuff you read about factory finish on laminates on the internet is just B.S. Of my 22 or so K98k's at least 3-4 are stained. And one has a light finish on it. Its a K98k made for China, Chinese proof/inspection marks, Mauser banner on receiver. Matched except m/m bolt. It never went to China and was issued to the German Navy. Now you tell me what this rifle is worth and how much you would devalue it because of the "defects"! And tell me a "serious" collector would not snap it up! Robert Jensen, who provided many of the rifles for Ball's book is a serious collector and his collection has many m/m examples. I know a guy who has seen it.

This is my last post on this subject as the OP is already flipping his rifle...All I was stating is that less is more..If you do not know what is damaging or not damaging to a 70 year old laminate stock with glues that suffered in quality as the war progressed (especially around 1945)..You are better to leave it alone..Or at least get some opinions on a dedicated collectors board to type the rifle you own on a proper conservation/restoration technique..And they did seal the stocks on k98's up until 1944 with a "linseed oil varnish" or something along those lines as no one is 100% certain of what exactly "linseed oil varnish" is...

[dave]

Statements like 'sealed laminate stocks until 1944' and 'glue suffered in quality as war progressed' is the internet BS I referred to. Back those statements up with facts and documentation or stop spreading them! And not just a "knowledgeable collector told me", that don't cut it. Take the metal out of any original laminate stock and you will see how it left the factory.

[rockisle1903]

All the information is right here:

http://www.thirdpartypress.com/

and I have nothing to do with these books..

[dave]

Those books were written by a couple collectors who post on Gun Boards. I have never seen them and can not afford them so probably never will. Do they have documentation on finish's, etc. or just statements? I still say the best way to tell is to examine under butt plate, barrel action, sides of magazine well, under side of hand guard, and any other covered wood. If the stocks had been finished there would be finish in these areas. I have taken apart hundreds of these rifles since the 1950's and have never seen any finish there, unlike jap rifles, or US rifles. They were available in gun stores on a weekly basis up into the 60's, bring backs that GI's were selling or trading. Had a group of 6-8 friends and we traded back and forth, one guy sportered many and always gave me the metal and wood. Another of the group was a Sgt. in German Army. It was like a never ending supply then, 35-40 bucks a pop. This was in Chicago area and many gun shops at the time, even in Chicago!
John Sukey, who posts here, was another guy loosely associated with the Group. I have a rifle (S/42 1936) that made the rounds thru the group, John included, and finally got back to me, who had bought it first.
Aw, 'those were the days my friend'----

[mike webb]

Actually those books are the latest and absolute best reference books available for the German K98k collector bar none and the authors are two of the leading authorities on the subject. Books like BACKBONE OF THE WEHRMACHT were quite good for their time but have been found to be full of errors as new documents come to light. Much like George Madis Winchester book was considered the BIBLE for years but there are errors in it as well. Not to disparage George's work which was extensive and thorough.

[dave]

But---but you refuse to answer my 'no finish under metal' statements. Why is that? Have you never had one apart? I know a lot of collectors refuse to turn a screw cause it would no longer be "original". All books have errors--down the road that will be found for these books too! With out original German documents no one can know these kind of details for sure.

[mike webb]

Actually the new books have a lot of original German documents in them. They are well researched works. You really should have a look at them before you condemn them. I have had quite a few K98's apart and on the later war issue rifles I have seen no evidence of finish added whatsoever. The pre war and early war rifles were finished with raw linseed oil or something similar in my opinion.

[keith smart]

Actually the new books have a lot of original German documents in them. They are well researched works. You really should have a look at them before you condemn them. I have had quite a few K98's apart and on the later war issue rifles I have seen no evidence of finish added whatsoever. The pre war and early war rifles were finished with raw linseed oil or something similar in my opinion.

I agree. I fail to understand how someone can disparage these two fine works . I purchased both volumes when they came out and there is no finer work available on the topic.
Keith

[kar66]

I have both of their books and am looking forward to the third one. They are well worth the money if you are into K98ks.