Need some help understanding 98k markings...

I just purchased a byf 43 98k. It is a rework rifle but it does not have the Russian "X" on the receiver. The serial number is marked on the receiver but not on the barrel. The barrel has the swastika and eagle acceptance mark and the marks around the circumference of the barrel show a 1943 date and the WaA135 mark, but the barrel does not have the caliber mark on the top directly in front of the receiver. The receiver has the marks that should be present, but just to the right of WaA135 on top of the receiver is a small number "2", and midway between the "byf" mark and the "43" mark there is the number zero or possibly the letter "O", can't tell which.

Do I have a rifle that was rebarrelled by the Germans? What does the "2" mark indicate? And what does the zero or "O" mark indicate? Should there be other marks indicating the rifle has been rebarrelled?

Thanks!

I have an all correct matching byf 43 as well ...

1943 byf K98k Mauser - Badgers Photo Gallery - Military Surplus Collectors Forums

I'll try and check my barrel to see what it says for you when I get the vault open later this week... :)

Regards,
Badger

the Russians used many marks on many of the rifles they captured. i have a blank receiver Luftamt marked 98k where the only mark on the top of the receiver is what looks to be a 7. it was definitely done by Ivan and i suspect yours may have been as well. if not, then by another country because the "2" and "0" aren't WWII German