When did rods stop being serialized?

[Armed Bear]

I have searched and read a few questions about serializing of cleaning rods in the last couple of days. The consensus seems to be that serializing of rods stopped around '40-'41. The quotes I have read are usually factory-specific, so would those in-the-know, say that is across the board for all factories? Did all Mauser factories stop serializing rods at the same time?

The reason I ask is because after some research and some lurking here and a few other boards (along with some questions and very helpful answers), I picked up a very nice matching DOU43 however the cleaning rod has a couple of marks: a "28" (looks to be serialized, but not matching to the rifle) and what look like a waffenapmt (?) and possibly the number "85" underneath it - again not matching to any proof markings on the rifle. The rod also has the tapered top, which, from what I have read, is usually indicative of earlier cleaning rods (along with the partial serial).

I am hoping since it is a '43, I can confirm than a non-numbered (but correct - not repro) rod will work to make this rifle completely correct. Or are cleaning rods not that big of an issue?

Thanks, all, in advance.

 

[RyanE]

Cleaning rods stopped being numbered sometime in late 1941 or early 1942 probably at the same time that the other small parts stopped being numbered. A missing cleaning rod, even when it should be numbered, is not a big deal IMO.

A dou43 would have been issued with an unnumbered rod.

 

[tsmgguy]

My L block byf 42 98K has 37 (the last two digits of the serial number) on the cleaning rod. Had thought this serial to be a little late for this, but nevertheless, there it is.

 

[Armed Bear]

Thanks for the responses, all.