The conflict between collectors and allegedly collectable firearmsand donors of customised rifles.

It was very normal to customise Mauser actioned military rifles in the 1970s to early 2000s. I've got custom rifles books with many examples

In the 1990s the supply started to dry up.

I'm annoyed I didn't buy some back then. A K98 "Israeli" Mauser, good condition, $100 ... Should have bought several I was more interested in longer actions.

A lot of military mausers, less than $50.

I think I later bought the Colombian Mauser FN 98 .30-06 Barrelled action for $100. Just to have on hand. People on here said it wasn't worth it. Too pitted. Probably correct . When the donor rifle is good enough, people will say it's too collectable like my Dutch Steyr 1895 in 6.5x53R. I'll probably never get it customised for other reasons.

Gathering dust in some 900 rifle private collection isnt good value.

There's an easy answer. My Steyr sat on a for sale listing for two years. Buy it for your collection when it's available . Quite simple. I'd probably sell it right now for the right offer. Good offers to be made. I need the cash. Good offers show true vaue of a collectable. Low offers, it's a chopper! If it's chopped up one day into a beautiful custom rifle, I'll enjoying, well it was available twice.

I'm thinking one day, another Parker Hale 1200 regarded to a .318 WR will do fine for purpose. One day properly customised . No clunker collectable mil Mauser needed.

Regarding "collectables" buy them, buy them when available. They only become collectabe anyway when demand exceeds supply.