Interesting K98.

[Anzac15]

Today I came into possession of what I think is a pretty unique k98. It is a 1944 bcd 4, all matching numbers, but the interesting part is is that it appears to be Turkish issued or Turkish used at some point. All German markings are intact, but there are small crescent moons on the bolt and front barrel band. Also there is a disc in the butt, Arabic numerals 735 (if my translation is correct) There is also what appears to be a Turkish, or Arabic arsenal mark below the bcd

---------- Post added at 09:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:25 PM ----------

And on the barrel (sorry, hit submit) My Internet is down, so it will be sometime before I can get pics up. I believe Turkey was neutral during the Second World War, but I also understand the Germans used some Turks in the SS and other units. Any thoughts on the history of this rifle?

Information

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[Calif-Steve]

I believe 1-2 German Divisions got cut off in the fighting around the Russian/Turkish border in WWII. They had no choice but to cross the Turkish border and ended up turning over all of their equipment to the Turks. Not sure of the date, but 1944 sounds a little late to me.

[Anzac15]

Here are some pics...Attachment 26734Attachment 26735Attachment 26736Attachment 26737Attachment 26738Attachment 26739Attachment 26740

[Anzac15]

Sorry about the shovel pics...

[m4a3sherman]

That Iraqi marked. The triangle thing there is Iraqi proofing

[Anzac15]

Had thought of that. That mark is very similar to the headstamps on some Iraqi .303 I have. Just googled 'Iraqi k98', and sure enough, that's it.

[Anzac15]

Took this rifle apart again tonight just to see if I had missed any markings. This rifle has no RC marks, no East German markings either. The barrel is coded avk Ah. Anyone know the maker?
This rifle is all matching from what I have seen thus far. I am amazed that a k98 that was sold to the Iraqis remained that way. I understand that some of the Gustloff k98s were fitted with machine gun barrels. Would this barrel code signify that?