K31 Barrel Markings

[Mike in Wis.]

I recently aquired a K31 as a shooter. It arrived from the seller in very nice condition, which seems to be the rule.

I've been reading up on the rifles, and have stripped the rifle to give it a once over, using several web pages specific to the Swiss rifles to identify some of the stamps and proof markings.

The rifle was built in 1942, the stock, handguard, bolt, magazine and receiver are all serial numbered the same. The barrel, however is marked with the normal proof marks one would expect but, I had read that the shoulder should contain the last 3 digits of the rifle's serial number. This one does not... it is marked with a 5 digit number, then the various proof marks (BP firing proof is about dead center at 12 o'clock with barrel installed). There are several digits that follow in a slightly different script... C G 1. At first I thought the 1 was a witness mark but it actually appears to be the number 1 instead. Any idea what these marks mean ? And, why would the barrel number be 5 digit and different from the rifle serial number? No K31 serial numbers consist of five digits. Replacement barrel ? Or was the marking info I read wrong ?

Mike

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