Kar98a from WWI

[Joe Boleo]

I stopped at the local gunsmith shop to pick up a shotgun barrel that just got choke tubes installed. The 'smith asked me to identify a customer's rifle. It was an all matching German Kar98a carbine from WWI in excellent condition. The owner wanted to sell it and was interested in learning a fair price. The rifle was all military except for the Weaver bases sitting atop the receiver. I asked to examine the bore which exhibited signs of corrosive ammo use and without proper cleaning. I told him it lacked collector interest and needed a new barrel. The gunsmith agreed with me. The owner asked for an approximate value and I told him it depended on what someone was willing to pay. I also told him that without the scope bases and bad bore, it would be worth a lot more. Take care...
Joe

[Gil Martin]

What you have described has happened to a lot of classic military surplus arms. I suspect the owner may have paid a lot for the rifle and wanted to recoup his investment. All the best...
Gil

[Adam Helmer]

Joe,

I wonder why the guy bought a rifle with a dark bore.

Adam