paratrooper value?

[bampa]

I have a chance to purchase a Type 2 paratrooper that does have matching halves and a mum, but the bolt is a mismatch. The rifle is also missing the cleaning rod, and the cleaning rod channel in the rifle seems to be blocked about 12 inches in.

It looks good from a distance, but it has some issues. The major problem is that it was restored from apparently being sporterized. The front half of the fore-end is spliced under the band, as is the handguard. All the wood has had some sort of finish applied that looks good overall, but it's not original.

Some of the screw heads are buggered, and the nosecap has a weird grind mark, although it does match the rifle's serial number. Also, the pin that holds the wedge in is missing, so the wedge comes completely out when you take apart the halves. (One positive here is that the wedge number at least matches the halves.) The bore is very good, but the blue has faded somewhat on some of the exterior metal. It's not at all pitted, though.

So ... I'd appreciate some advice on a fair price for the rifle. I'd like to get it because I don't have one in my collection and doubt I'll be able to afford a really nice one unless I win the lottery. Thanks in advance for any replies....

[Michaelp]

I think I saw this posted on another forum.
I'd wait, but if you're determined, $500 might be fair. Mismatch bolt-buggered stock-no rod-Special length on those.
Good ones were $2000 for a while.
Some would want more, but money is tight.

[Guamsst]

I haven't seen one with a mum under $1,000 That includes mismatched sporters. Make an offer you think is fair and see what happens.

[riceone]

More than likely they stuck a dowell in the rod hole to hole the front end on the stock and peiced the top handguard also. I think $500 would be a good price, maybe move up a hundred to bargin.

[Guamsst]

Could be worse, saw a guy at Tulsa with a complete paratrooper parts kit, everything EXCEPT the receiver. Oddly enough, my buddy has been lugging around a stripped paratrooper receiver for about a year. I was amazed to actually put the two in contact with each other....LOL Talk about a couple of Lucky SOB's