I have bought C&R firearms for several years. I happened to visit Classic Arms website to see what they had and Classic Arms was just posting videos of some Czech captured K98 Mausers as well as some other bolt rifles. Most of the K98's were 1945 (postwar) stamped and admittedly some were in fine shape. This post is not meant to cast anything negative toward Classic Arms because I have bought surplus from them for several years as well as from other distributors.
What shook my world is the prices these pieces were asking. One K98 was priced at $1,200 and it was a beautiful specimen although it was post war (no wartime markings). All the rifles, even ones with cracked stocks were selling for a pretty penny. I don't think anything sold for less than $449.00.
I suppose that this post is somewhat of a lament that the days of reasonably priced (meaning affordable) surplus firearms are over. I'm sure it has to do with the law of supply and demand i.e. that sooner or later the supply of surplus arms would dry up however I didn't expect it so suddenly.
Five years ago I bought a very nice Russian capture K98 stamped 1939 with most serial #'s matching (not bolt). It had all the Waffenampts and was manufactured by J.P. Sauer and Sohn for the Wehrmacht. I think I paid $439.00 back then and thought it was a bit steep.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised because Mosin's that once sold for $79.00 not too long ago now go just shy of $300.00 (especially for a hex receiver).
Maybe I'm aging a little faster than I think LOL It sure did surprise me however and I am going to have to really pick and choose what surplus I buy (and can afford).
What shook my world is the prices these pieces were asking. One K98 was priced at $1,200 and it was a beautiful specimen although it was post war (no wartime markings). All the rifles, even ones with cracked stocks were selling for a pretty penny. I don't think anything sold for less than $449.00.
I suppose that this post is somewhat of a lament that the days of reasonably priced (meaning affordable) surplus firearms are over. I'm sure it has to do with the law of supply and demand i.e. that sooner or later the supply of surplus arms would dry up however I didn't expect it so suddenly.
Five years ago I bought a very nice Russian capture K98 stamped 1939 with most serial #'s matching (not bolt). It had all the Waffenampts and was manufactured by J.P. Sauer and Sohn for the Wehrmacht. I think I paid $439.00 back then and thought it was a bit steep.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised because Mosin's that once sold for $79.00 not too long ago now go just shy of $300.00 (especially for a hex receiver).
Maybe I'm aging a little faster than I think LOL It sure did surprise me however and I am going to have to really pick and choose what surplus I buy (and can afford).