Russian capture K98 - do i want one?

[newchi]

There was a Russian Capture K98 in the case at the local big box stored today.  Unfortunately nobody with access to the key for the case was working yet so that's really all i know, other than it had the later stamped magazine base (apparently).
My questions for those smarter than me are, what are the things to look for if anything?

[Greasemonkey]

Matching parts is a plus... But a Russian refurb having that is doubtful.. So havng any German stamps not peened away, maybe the maker and year not ground away is always a plus.

If the price is right it and if it has a nice bore, it could be a bargain for a shooter 3 lug Mauser. Do the Russian refurb Mausers look as sketchy as the "Super Duper Smithsonian " grade SKSs?

[newchi]

I couldn't tell anything because it was in a super extra reflective glass fronted cabinet.  I mean somebody had to take a serious effort to design something that bad to see into.  I was considering going to the flashlight aisle and seeing if there was one with batteries i could use to shine into the case.

I have to go back there next weekend anyway so i have a while to figure out what to look for.

[jeepguy]

So whats the going rate for a big box store RC? I thought I may have paid on the high end for my K98 until I saw classic sell out of their RC's at $799.

[newchi]

it was either 599 or 699 i think, although the latter is more likely.  anything longer than a week ago and i am not reliable

[Greasemonkey]

So whats the going rate for a big box store RC? I thought I may have paid on the high end for my K98 until I saw classic sell out of their RC's at $799.

Classic is not a good judge of price, I mean they were peddling out ~$700 refurb MAS 36s...some of the other stuff recently they have sold had a super premium. In the wild a RC would fetch 350/400 to around 500 depending on marks and condition in my area. Last one I picked up from a LGS was 400.

[newchi]

it was either 599 or 699 i think, although the latter is more likely.  anything longer than a week ago and i am not reliable

that was cdn, so 450-520 us

[Phosphorus32]

it was either 599 or 699 i think, although the latter is more likely.  anything longer than a week ago and i am not reliable

that was cdn, so 450-520 us

... and Canada is a completely separate market so I have no idea what a common RC K98k goes for up there. You'd be doing alright here in the States at that price. Rare maker and you'd be more than alright.

[newchi]

So, an update.
went to the same store today, too hungry and in a hurry, so i didnt catch this in time to ask anyone.
They have a K98 for a lot of money  and then The cheaper russian capture is a zastava M48 According to the tags.
About an hour later i thought, what the hell war was going on still in 1948?
So, dear Mauser knowing people, what is a M48, did the russians capture it or is the tag making guy at the store drinking on the job.
And if i go back to look again, what should i look for?
The only other thing i remember is it was 7.92mm.
And it had stamping lines around the edge of the floorplate.

[Greasemonkey]

M48 rifles shouldn't be Russian captures.. They are Yugoslavian, a shorter intermediate-length action in 8mm or if'en you wanna get technical 7.92mm. A stamped floor plate is a M48A or B variation. Only war they may have seen some limited use in was the Yugoslav Wars.

So, yeah, tell the fella get off the hooch at work

[newchi]

Im going to have to get someone to take it out of the display to see what the markings are, because it seems like it can only be one thing or the other, not both.

[Greasemonkey]

M48A marks... one of them I have.





Little better crest shot of another M48A


Stamped mag base..this is a M48BO so it also has a stamped trigger guard assembly

[newchi]

Thats definitely the same mag base.