He wants a BNZ

[usabaker]

Okay, if the BNZ is not really the best to collect, which Germain Mauser from the WWII period should he be looking for?

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[GeeRam]

Okay, if the BNZ is not really the best to collect, which Germain Mauser from the WWII period should he be looking for?

Is it to collect, or does he want to shoot it?
If its to collect, the important consideration these days, is condition and original matching numbers etc., in which case, limited options means you buy the best example you can regardless of the manufacturer.
If he wants a shooter, then, again, buy the best example you can with the best barrel, matching numbers and other stuff is less of a consideration. Ex-Soviet Capture, or ex-Portuguese ones used to be the cheap option for best shooters, but even these now are getting pricey as K98k prices go through the roof.
Lots and lots of faked, and bubba'd junk out there though, and at silly prices, so you need to learn what you are looking at otherwise you'll get mugged.

[usabaker]

Is it to collect, or does he want to shoot it?

A collectible shooter, but more on the collector side. Thanks for the advice.

[GeeRam]

A collectible shooter, but more on the collector side. Thanks for the advice.

What is his budget, or is that not a consideration?

To be honest, and don't take this too harshly, but I think he'd be better off just trying for a shooter, rather than the collector side.
As the knowledge reqd to not get burned, and end up with an expensive bubb'd and faked pos, will take a long time to acquire, and given you taken to posting on his behalf as he's otherwise occupied, he clearly lacks the resolve to spend what would be considerable time joining the K98Forum and spending a year or more soaking up the info on there to stand a chance of dipping his toe into the K98k collectors world. He's not going to acquire that knowledge overnight I'm afraid.