GEW 98 question

[PokeyOkie]

I'm new to mausers and looking at a 1908 Danzig that I found for private sale locally. I'm hoping the experts here can help. The bolt doesn't match but everything else does. The stock has a marking disk and no finger grooves but has a name carved in it that has been there a long time and a duffle bag cut. It is missing the safety. The owner is asking $275. Is that reasonable?

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[Badger]

It's hard to say much without seeing pics, but if it's not bubba'd or sportized, then $275 sounds pretty darn good to me ...

Regards,
Doug

[Calif-Steve]

It is a WWI GI bringback? Well worth that price.

[PokeyOkie]

Here are the pictures he sent.

[jmoore]

There's prettier rifles out there, but they won't be US$275, either.

[Claven2]

Agreed - the last decent 98 I bought (matching and complete) was around $900. $275 is a good deal for that rifle IMHO - worth more than that if you part it out.

[jon_norstog]

Pokey,

If I was in the market for another G98 and I ran into that rifle I would definitely buy it, assuming the bore was good.

jn

[Calif-Steve]

Th receiver and bolt should be carefully buffed back to "white" condition. 0000 brass wool and oil will help.

[gew8805]

Calif-Steve, I wouldn't say "should be" but agree that you might say "could be". If this gun were to be completely refinished (I wouldn't) then the bluing would be restored as well. The patinated finish of the entire rifle is not bad, a simple oiling and light cleaning with oil and OOOO steel wool could be done to all of the metal surfaces but would not add to the value of the gun. Personally, without an in hand examination of the gun, I wouldn't recommend anything beyond an oiling of the metal.

[kar66]

I would buy it and oil it. If the bore is good I would shoot it a few times. Then just keep it cleaned and oiled. It is 105 years old and looks like it should. Yes you could make it look newer, but it will look over cleaned and be worth less.