If you want to read more on the various stock finishes used, here is an excellent post Sam/mauser1908 did a couple years ago.
From 1898 to 1918 the gew 98 underwent substantial changes. Many of these were subtle and not easily identified without advanced disassembly. From the collector’s point of view, stock finish is one of the most obvious changes. Big thanks to Chris and Cyrus for modeling their rifles. Linseed Oil...
www.k98kforum.com
Kallan-- first, I'm glad you listened to the peer pressure we were applying-- It's an excellent wartime DWM.
Secondly, the buttplate and/or stock stamps with a numbered depot are not universal- for one example; the Bavarians typically didn't stamp the buttplates. Secondly, there are different levels of rework- a divisional, regimental or company-level field armorer wouldn't follow this convention either. Here's a lower level rework with no indicators as to where it was completed:
Hi Guys-- A couple of you told me to "keep em coming", so I will. haha. I thought I'd post one I've had for years and never bothered posting. I bought it on the forum years ago and it was documented, but not in great detail. This started life as a 1916 VCS (#988), and was reworked at some...
www.k98kforum.com
It's definitely an unusual bolt-- I think any of those theories could be correct, though I lean to a replacement using either an armorer spare or rejected part--as we were discussing, that large block "A" shows up on stocks, rear sights and other parts for Hannover builds.
