Gew 98, any ideas on this?

[Patrick Chadwick]

all I asked is what is the deal with these numbers.

And I all asked for, for very good reason, was all the numbers you can find! In this case, the lack of a numbers can also be significant. On a properly inspected and accepted '98 there should be a number on the barrel, on the left side of the "root", with several inspector's stamps. The barrel number is fundamental to a German rifle, and was never omitted or erased. Unlike English practice (see the Lee Enfield forum), where the receiver is viewed as the fundamental item, in Germany it is the chambered barrel. So you can freely buy and sell receivers here, but not barrels.

The point of all this is, a) if the barrel never had a number, then it was never a rifle passed fit for use. b) If it had a number, but this has been erased, then Bubba has been at work.
Answer a) would support my "instruction model" hypothesis.

On the bolt shroud, there should also be the last two digits of the rifle number. They are stamped in a small size there where the rim of the shroud widens to join the boss that holds the axle of the safety lever. High left in your last photo, where I think I can see something, but cannot read it.

Another one: dismantle the bolt, and again you should find the last two digits stamped on the flat of the striker.

I included a photo of every number that exists on it.

I'm sure that you thought so, but as you can see, there ought to be some more. I appreciate that first of all one has to know where to look, which is why I have taken the trouble to write such a long post, so please look again.