What are these markings on my k98?

[PrinzEugen]

Kamaraden - here's a few pics of my 1939 Berlin-Lübecker Maschinenfabrik K98. I was wondering if anyone had any idea what a couple of markings might be - military etchings/stamps/random scratches. It's a Russian Capture and I bought it from a place which imports them direct to blighty from the Russians. It was on a load of shelves with maybe 100 others and I selected it (under a certain amount of time pressure [wife/baby daughter waiting in car....]) as a shooter. The rifling looked pretty good, I liked it was German made and the barrel wasn't filled from crud (a lot of the others clearly hadn't been cleaned since being proof fired with corrosive ammo on arrival in the UK I surmise). The gun has been mysteriously 'polished' (if that's the word) on the top and left side of the receiver ring definitely over some nazi eagles, but also between the 237 and 1939. Between them is a jagged line - any thoughts as to what this might be (best view top picture)? Also on the bottom pic just above the almost polished out serial number (matching the barrel) is a sort of V - any thoughts?

Thanks

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[jon_norstog]

Eugen.

Too bad he damn thing can't talk!

jn

[ledge]

I am not an expert but its looks to me like the "v" is what is left of the "X" the the russians stamped on all there captures, as far as the SN it should be the same as the SN on the barrel.

[PrinzEugen]

Thanks for the thoughts chaps - yes Ledge I thought that might be the case re the X on the side. On the jagged line on the top, I can't make my mind up - looks quite deliberate in some ways, rather than something which would be there by accident.

[Patrick Chadwick]

I don't know how this could be explained, but the zigzag looks like a worn remnant of a Polish inspection mark (see Lapin, Mauser Military Rifle Markings, 2nd edition, P.121).

Patrick