Not an expert in this, but I have a couple of really old Germans that I truly like.

There is no mention of the location of the marking, but I presume it is marked on the barrel by the maker. Isn't it possible that this was assembled post war by a smith from a 98k and a takeoff barrel from an older prewar rifle. That would rationalize the maker's mark vs manufacturer timeline. I could see this happening in immediate postwar Germany when supplies were likely hard to come by for gunmakers.

If it were mine, given its likely history, I wouldn't feel bad at all about doing a period rebuild. Take the barreled action, refurbish it, and restock in a new period style stock with modern scope friendly dimensions. What a great hunting rifle that would make.

That Eagle over 359 is an German Wehrmacht inspectors stamp of approval. (Waffenamt)



Spread eagle over N is what is known as a Flobert for general semi-smokeless proof (1939). From the Standard Dictionary of Proof Marks:

"The Flobert proof must be affixed on the barrel and action, but in such a manner as not to mark the appearance or finish. This mark indicating first proof must be stamped so that the mark remains visible & undamaged while further work is performed on the barrel."

A spread eagle over J designates a new proof after some sort of repair (1939). Same reference.

Hook me 3 Heineken darks to find & typ that!

The heart with the tree in it looks to be Swedish. My refenences don't have any info on it.

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I stand corrected on that point. I went to page 60 & found the fir in a heart. Thanks Alf