Doug,
As I repeat I'm not an expert on anything, I've been collecting K98K many years ago, I live in Europe and I've got experienced collectors friends also in Germany, I only tell you that the market is chock full of "turds" as K98 Mausers as well as Luger pistols are among the most "faked" of all collectible arms, and these beautiful guns have been faked and restamped with new markings for many years now, and it's very, very difficult believe me, to tell a genuine original one from a fake or from some sort of a "put" together to make matching.
I can assure you that
many serious an experienced K98K collectors have got burnt on that, .
Fakery now is worse than 1911s. Some of the original factory stamps, captured from the factories, are out there and there are complete sets of fake stamps available. The fake stamps are getting better/closer to originals. It is a swamp, believe, that's why I stopped collecting them.
The best site on K98s is the
K98kforum with the three book series authors there, not to mention most of the contributors. They are rarely fooled. Having the three book series is essential IMO, the middle book is coming in less than a year and will be massive.
Long time ago I hung out with these guys and attempted to learn more...
K98K are a deep swamp with
more than 90% being total fakes and many of the remaining 10% not being totally original, but only "correct".
The prices were skyrocketing, and snipers K98 were worse still!
A common example, like a byf 44 (wich is probably the most common of all codes)
in just decent condition like 75% if all original and complete brings the equivalent price of about $2000/2500. Then the snipers perhaps about $10-35K.
Kind regards and have a nice week end.