Didn't hear from a buddy but I did score a matching number k98 mauser from a pawn shop for $150 once. Ony issue with it was someone had tried to finish the stock with varnish. I sold it to a WWII collector friend of mine for $450...less than it's value but when I told him about the deal he told me that he'd triple my money on it if I ever wanted to get rid of it.
I'm usually the "buddy" who's telling others about the good deals I find.
