Etched renumbered bolt question.

[cj556]

I picked up a 337 code 98k from Empire recently. Bolt has an added etched number on the handle w/o a suffix and on the handle only and this number of course matches the receiver. I am curious if this is post war done (Whether done by a foreign country or bubba) or perhaps wartime done by a depot. Rifle is also duffel cut fwiw. Stamps on the wood are faint & I can’t find any depot stamps there just faint 749s. Front sight isn’t cut for a hood & front band is a later mismatch. Thanks for help in advance.

 

[Jdt]

Following, nice grab btw, 337 1940's ain't easy too find for sure! I think when ya can do a full thread and picture breakdown of it you'll find some more answers. That EP font and placement is a first for me.

 

[Loewe]

I haven't encountered this exact pattern before but I doubt it is nefarious in nature (looks too natural and "matter of fact" to be fraud), probably postwar but not late; I would say look for other clues but you are an experienced collector and have done something so obvious...

 

[chrisftk]

Hmm, that is an odd one. I always err on the conservative side, but if this is post war, I agree with Paul it was done by a military armorer (no idea which country), not bubba or a humper.

I wonder if @mrfarb saw this one and has any thoughts.

 

[tsmgguy]

My post has absolutely nothing to do with the thread, but here's my own Empire M1936 Mexican Mauser. I recognize Empire's photography. The gun is in original unissued condition.

 

[Mike2994]

IMO post war done, although there is a certain possibility it could be wartime done I would treat it as a bolt mismatch.

German would've scrubbed bolt prior to using an arc pencil.

Couple examples of German (SS) done arc penciling:


Later war using an unused bolt body:


Early war, using a scrubbed bolt body:

 

[mrfarb]

Normal wartime doctrine is to line out old numbers, depending on the facility. I’ve not seen one similar, that I recall, but I doubt it’s done to deceive, maybe post war as Loewe suggest - but, I would never outright say something isn’t wartime done without evidence.

That said, value wise imo it’s exactly the same value as a bolt mismatch so it’s a wash.

 

[cj556]

Normal wartime doctrine is to line out old numbers, depending on the facility. I’ve not seen one similar, that I recall, but I doubt it’s done to deceive, maybe post war as Loewe suggest - but, I would never outright say something isn’t wartime done without evidence.

That said, value wise imo it’s exactly the same value as a bolt mismatch so it’s a wash.

Thank you for weighing in Mike.