K98 "ff" in serial number?

[tlsher]

I would like to ask some help from the more experienced guys on this board. I've run across a "DOU 44" rifle with a 4-digit serial number and "ff" underneath it. Does anyone have any idea what the "ff" means?

From the pictures, I don't see any "X"s on the receiver to indicate a Russian capture gun. Any other methods of assuring I wouldn't be paying a premium for a Russian capture forcematch?

Thanks in advance.

Information

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[Singer B]

Pictures of the rifle, if possible, would really help out the experts here. Things to look for to confirm a RC would include:

1. Serial numbers etched or electro-pencilled into the gun components
2. Red shellac finish on the stock
3. Sight hood removed
4. Top of the rear sight colored black
5. Bolt take-down disc in the stock colored black
6. 1944 action dropped into an earlier year flat-buttplate stock
7. A milled H-style front barrel band/end piece on a 1944 rifle
8. Serial number from the barrel/receiver stamped into the left side of the stock just behind the sling slot

All of these are possible indicators that a rifle is a Russian capture. Some of the true experts on this site can look at pictures of the rifle and provide you more detail. Hope that helps!

[bob q]

The ff is part of the serial number . 1234ff

[GeeRam]

I would like to ask some help from the more experienced guys on this board. I've run across a "DOU 44" rifle with a 4-digit serial number and "ff" underneath it. Does anyone have any idea what the "ff" means?

Its just the seral block.

Serial numbers went from 1 to 9999, and then the numbers repeated with a letter suffix 'a', then again with 'b' etc., until reaching z, and then 'aa', 'bb' etc.

'ff' block was towards the end of 1944 year production, with a full 'gg' and full 'hh' block serial and only about 1000 in the 'ii' block before start of 1945 production. So, likely it was made late Nov 1944 approximately.