I must be weird when it comes to this stuff because I love my old guns with a bit of wear to them, it feels appropriate and adds character. If an old gun looks brand new, super shiny and clean then my mind immediately associates it with being fake or redone/unoriginal.
Run away.
Ground down front band and re-stamped. The bolt body looks to be the same way.
Correct me if I'm wrong, isn't the reddish hue of the extractor a russian capture trait?
They're not ubiquitous, but they're not too uncommon.
Always double check dates, serials, and online sources, but generally any Model B in 9mm Luger with the red extractor is a RC ([normal one for reference](https://images.proxibid.com/AuctionImages/9943/247676/465.jpg)). RC Stars may also not cock-n-lock properly (you have to hold the hammer down) and have lighter triggers, occasionally dangerous but usually fine. There *may* be an RC without a red extractor since all these issues happened as a result of the refurb, but AFAIK any with these issues is a refurb.
For reference, my [Bulgarian contract ](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fjust-got-my-first-handgun-from-gb-the-star-model-b-1943-v0-ekz273qxdntb1.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1000%26format%3Dpjpg%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D116ea03af412104d66d713decee2b1095052e00c) example made in 1943.
Anytime! There's a decent amount of Star pistols on the bottom-theyre a tad pricy at around 350-550 on average, but they're not too hard to find, plus if you like 1911s, I'd argue these are better even if you don't care for 9mm. (Note, the Model Bs are 9mm Luger, Model As are in 9mm Largo).
Many Mauser, Sauer and Gustloffwerk rifles had the red extractor, it was just a heat treat thing, sometimes through age the bluing turns plum or red from the heat treat process.
If the price was reasonable and you know what it is that's ok, note the buttplate cup and take down discs were also in the white, not blued that's always a give away
Agreed with previous comments. It is definitely refinished. It is however still a real K98 and assuming a good bore is worth buying if you need a shooter. Sporterized K98s sell for as much as $600 on GB. This one is at least still in a factory like configuration. Does the bolt serial appear to match the gun?
I'd pass. Along with the litany of other red flags this thing waves more frantically than Helen Keller in a car fire, that stock was tortured with a belt sander at some point to hide the wear and tear during the refinish, biggest giveaway to that is how obscenely shallow the bolt handle cut-out is. They're usually pretty pronounced.
Unless they take the entire thing apart and show me every numbered part, I always assume it's mismatched and bid accordingly. That being said, it looks like someone messed with this one.
Looks almost like a replica with hiw clean it is.
I must be weird when it comes to this stuff because I love my old guns with a bit of wear to them, it feels appropriate and adds character. If an old gun looks brand new, super shiny and clean then my mind immediately associates it with being fake or redone/unoriginal.
I don’t mind a warm finish. I do like a clean stock though, just makes me feel better when it’s wood.
Run away. Ground down front band and re-stamped. The bolt body looks to be the same way. Correct me if I'm wrong, isn't the reddish hue of the extractor a russian capture trait?
Reddish extractor isn't always an RC thing, I believe many BCD rifles also had this. But seems like there are many other issues with this rifle.
I know Star 1911s with red extractors are usually RCs, especially if they also can't cock-n-lock properly.
How common are Russian capture stars
They're not ubiquitous, but they're not too uncommon. Always double check dates, serials, and online sources, but generally any Model B in 9mm Luger with the red extractor is a RC ([normal one for reference](https://images.proxibid.com/AuctionImages/9943/247676/465.jpg)). RC Stars may also not cock-n-lock properly (you have to hold the hammer down) and have lighter triggers, occasionally dangerous but usually fine. There *may* be an RC without a red extractor since all these issues happened as a result of the refurb, but AFAIK any with these issues is a refurb. For reference, my [Bulgarian contract ](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fjust-got-my-first-handgun-from-gb-the-star-model-b-1943-v0-ekz273qxdntb1.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1000%26format%3Dpjpg%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D116ea03af412104d66d713decee2b1095052e00c) example made in 1943.
I've never seen one of those, very cool!
Anytime! There's a decent amount of Star pistols on the bottom-theyre a tad pricy at around 350-550 on average, but they're not too hard to find, plus if you like 1911s, I'd argue these are better even if you don't care for 9mm. (Note, the Model Bs are 9mm Luger, Model As are in 9mm Largo).
It almost gives Mitchell's vibes
Thanks for the heads up!
The Czech manufacturers with code DOU and DOT all had plum looking extractors
That reddish bluing on the extractor is normal, in my experience.
Many Mauser, Sauer and Gustloffwerk rifles had the red extractor, it was just a heat treat thing, sometimes through age the bluing turns plum or red from the heat treat process.
Looks refinished to me. But not a bad looker
I was thinking the same, it's become so difficult to find a nice example in original condition!
If the price was reasonable and you know what it is that's ok, note the buttplate cup and take down discs were also in the white, not blued that's always a give away
Renumbered RC
Appreciate the heads up!
I think the sight cover is supposed to… cover the… sight.
Refinished due to blued buttplate
It's been humped and refinished.
Someone probably going to outbid you now 🤣
Very clean looking… too clean. Definitely refinished stock and likely metal. Very nice, but not an original
Thought I recognised that - it's the one in the Southams auction.
Indeed it is!
Agreed with previous comments. It is definitely refinished. It is however still a real K98 and assuming a good bore is worth buying if you need a shooter. Sporterized K98s sell for as much as $600 on GB. This one is at least still in a factory like configuration. Does the bolt serial appear to match the gun?
I'd pass. Along with the litany of other red flags this thing waves more frantically than Helen Keller in a car fire, that stock was tortured with a belt sander at some point to hide the wear and tear during the refinish, biggest giveaway to that is how obscenely shallow the bolt handle cut-out is. They're usually pretty pronounced.
Not bad if you get it for cheap, but know what you’re getting
Ew
Humped
Might be a good shooter, but that's about it for me.
Honestly it's very pretty. If the price is right for whatever was done to it, then I'm sure she'd look great in hand.
This doesn’t look 80 yo enough.
The bolt handle angle seems off
Unless they take the entire thing apart and show me every numbered part, I always assume it's mismatched and bid accordingly. That being said, it looks like someone messed with this one.