Century Arms

Hi,

I'm pretty up-to-speed on most guns, but am a little lacking on Mausers. I have knowledge about the gun itself, but not as knowledgeable on what has happened to guns since the war -- specifically dealing with import into our country, and the history of Russian Capture.

With that said, I would like to add a Mauser into my collection, but need some info. I'm not looking for something that's perfect, I just want it to be "untampered" with by unscrupulous importers. I'm looking at some that are advertised with Century Arms (despite what some people say, I've had nothing but good luck with everything I've bought from them, other than their import marks being a little large).

The ones I'm looking at is a JP Saur & Sohn (CE manufacture) in good condition for $700. A Mauser Werke (BYF mfg) in good condition for $600, and a Gustloff Werke (BCD mfg) for $700.

I talked to their marketing person (I'm a writer and youtube reviewer and I've worked with them in the past), and she said their armory told her that a few of them even have Nazi proofs still on them.

A couple of questions:

- Is the price in line with what I should pay?
- Is there anything I should be leery about (things that aren't consistent with your knowledge of these rifles)?

Are these RC? I'm assuming they are.

Thanks for any input.

If they are RC's the prices doubled in two years. Last I noticed they were selling in the $300-$400 range, sometimes even less than that under great circumstances.

HK, I don’t think Century shows individual pictures and descriptions. Therefore you don’t know what you are getting. I like the two companies shown below. They have good photos and descriptions for every gun. I have bought from Simpsons and was very happy.

Simpson Ltd
Rifles - U.S. Military Rifles - Collectors Firearms

Salt Flat

Hopefully they're not NRA "good" condition! About all that means is they aren't pretzel shaped!

I've not seen individual items from Century before, either.

Perhaps HK USP 45 has an "in"?

No way are R/C mausers worth $700.00!!! Agreed, 3 to $400.00.
Also, I heard Century lost the import agreement on Mosin Nagants.

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Originally Posted by Salt Flat

HK, I don’t think Century shows individual pictures and descriptions. Therefore you don’t know what you are getting. I like the two companies shown below. They have good photos and descriptions for every gun. I have bought from Simpsons and was very happy.

Simpson Ltd
Rifles - U.S. Military Rifles - Collectors Firearms

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Wow, that's a big difference in price. The JP Saur & Son is $1700. It is all matching though, and I see photos. Both websites look like good websites. Thanks for the info.

---------- Post added at 07:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:24 AM ----------

A lot of you are saying RCs should be in the $300-400 range. Could you point me to a couple sources that have them at this price? Because I haven't found them anywhere for that price. At Gun shows, if I can find them (and I don't see them that much anymore), it's been a long time since I've seen them for that price.

What I can find, are Argentinian and Chilean Mausers, and those are normally $500-600.

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Originally Posted by HK_USP_45

A lot of you are saying RCs should be in the $300-400 range. Could you point me to a couple sources that have them at this price? Because I haven't found them anywhere for that price

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If anecdotal evidence counts as a source my two RC K98s were purchased at the lower end of that range in the southeast US recently.

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Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY

Originally Posted by HK_USP_45
A lot of you are saying RCs should be in the $300-400 range. Could you point me to a couple sources that have them at this price? Because I haven't found them anywhere for that price
If anecdotal evidence counts as a source my two RC K98s were purchased at the lower end of that range in the southeast US recently.

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OK, that's good to know they're still out there, at that price. My price book lists a RC at $200 G, $300 VG. That's last year though, I wasn't sure if it was still current. For some reason, the gun and ammo market has been very volatile this year.

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Originally Posted by HK_USP_45

For some reason

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Which reason rules preclude discussion so I won't. My search took a couple of years, very few K98 examples of any description in my neck of the woods.

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Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY

Originally Posted by HK_USP_45
For some reason
Which reason rules preclude discussion so I won't.

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I'm sure you figured it out, but that was a joke, when I said, "for some reason." haha

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Originally Posted by Salt Flat

HK, I don’t think Century shows individual pictures and descriptions. Therefore you don’t know what you are getting. I like the two companies shown below. They have good photos and descriptions for every gun. I have bought from Simpsons and was very happy.

Simpson Ltd
Rifles - U.S. Military Rifles - Collectors Firearms
Salt Flat

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When I click on each they appear to be one and the same, either way these are on the very high end, kinda make Century Arms look like a deal (I said kinda).

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Originally Posted by HK_USP_45

I'm sure you figured it out, but that was a joke, when I said, "for some reason." haha

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Taken and replied to as such with my own little joke about the rules which though a good idea hard to avoid breaking when the hobby is so inexorably linked to the prohibited subject. Keep looking and a good K98 will find you.

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Originally Posted by Sarge1998

When I click on each they appear to be one and the same, either way these are on the very high end, kinda make Century Arms look like a deal (I said kinda).

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They have a similar logo but are different companies. Yes they are higher but still offer a few bargain type guns that need parts or work. I think anyone selling firearms online should be able to accurately describe and picture each firearm. Hk-- You also might try a "Want to Buy" post on this forum.

I did confirm from Century that these are mismatched, arsenal refinished with nazi proofs scrubbed off. RC. So in this instance, the price is pretty high. I'm passing on them.

They actually have a couple other rifles I think I'll get -- Vz24, Steyr M95. And I found a K31 elsewhere that I think I'm going to get. Nice thing about non-Mauser collecting is there isn't as much forgery, price-gouging, and general shenanigans.

Thanks for all your input!

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Originally Posted by HK_USP_45

And I found a K31 elsewhere that I think I'm going to get.

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I do not think you will regret a K31 purchase. Very well made and tend to have nice bores. Non corrosive surplus ammo still avaliable as well.

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Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY

I do not think you will regret a K31 purchase. Very well made and tend to have nice bores. Non corrosive surplus ammo still avaliable as well.

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It's funny, because I've seen them in stores before and didn't really pay attention to them. Then last week Wenger sent me a new knife to do a review of, and I was on wiki, reading about the Swiss Army, one click led to another, and before I knew it I was reading about the K31. So I pulled out the trusty Military arms manual, read some more about it, and decided I need one.

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Originally Posted by HK_USP_45

I need one.

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Or two or three. The Swiss rifles are unusual in their history, design, workmanship and unusually good overall condition having never seen conflict and been kept and maintained by individual soldiers in their homes.

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Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY

Or two or three. The Swiss rifles are unusual in their history, design, workmanship and unusually good overall condition having never seen conflict and been kept and maintained by individual soldiers in their homes.

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I also just read a great article about them in Military Surplus magazine, which played a big part in inspiring me to get one. It was talking about how it was far better craftsmanship and fit & finish than other mil-surp.

K31 is an awesome rifle. And is also one that is getting tough to get so get one when you find one at a good price.

I don't know of any source for the RC's but I do see them occasionally at the shows and they remain in that price range. I got mine about three years ago and got it for considerably less than that if I remember correctly. Only "bargain" Mausers out there at present that I'm aware of are the M48's and possibly the 24/47's but even they are inching upwards. They seem to be in the $200-$350 range.

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Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY

Or two or three. The Swiss rifles are unusual in their history, design, workmanship and unusually good overall condition having never seen conflict and been kept and maintained by individual soldiers in their homes.

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Not to hijack my own post, but The K31s that I found come in either Beechwood or Walnut stock. Both have cracks. I've read that in general the Walnut stocks held up better than the Beechwood. Which one would you get? Price is the same. Actually, the a VG Beechwood is $20 cheaper than a VG Walnut, but the Beechwood has a "special select" for the same price as the VG walnut. I was leaning towards the Walnut.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=42973 This is a tread on the cracked stock issue. I think both of mine are beech 1943 & 1947. Personally matched bolt and reciever and overall condition would be my only prefrence. I have not seen many in person but among the ones I have inspected I have never seen a mismatch or a beater. I think Samco and SOG still have the k31 listed and Colorado Gun Sales often has some as well.

Walnut stocks are all pre-war or early WWII and are usually desired more by collectors. They also tend to not be as beat up. That's why the premium.