[Gunnerboy]

Im wondering if theres a way to tell if a k98 has been arsenal refinished by the nazis i have one that has been stamped with differant acceptance stamps about 4 times in a row on the barrel. so i was wondering if that was like the springfield 03 punch marks or not.

[Nugilum]

We'll need some pictures to help identify the symbols.
Around the chamber of the barrel and both sides of the the back end of the stock is where the proof & refurbishing marks would be located.

[RP88]

generally, the acceptance mark for the gun in its original form will be the waffen-wings on top of the receiver, but a lot of them were faint or were skipped and just hit with the general proof marks instead. It all depends on what time period and factory it came from.

The proof marks, if I recall correctly, are the general eagle/swastika marks that are found on the receiver, barrel, and sometimes the floorplate. Multiple proofs in the same spot in a row generally means it was refurb'd, especially if it is an interwar rifle (i.e. 1920s-early 30s DoM) by the Axis at some point.

if you see an X on the receiver, see the stock stamped with a serial number, and see what look like peened out proofs, then the Russians refurb'd it after capturing it or having it surrendered.

This is all not always the case, since certain things like the fear of a bomb coming through the roof or something have an astounding effect on how quickly and how many corners will be cut to get the product moving out the door and onto supply routes. German proofs could be missing altogether at times the same way Russians would sometimes miss out on peening the nazi marks off the guns when refurbing them.

[stonecutter2]

There are a few places on my K98 where the waffenamt stamps occur in 3's. I believe this was somewhat standard, but don't remember where I read it. It doesn't necessarily mean it was refurbished.

Pictures would be helpful.

[Gunnerboy]

The standard waffen stamps are there thiers just 4 of em with differant numbers below the eagle , the stock has shrapenal inbedded in it and some scratches that look like thier from shrapenal. everything is matching except the sight ladder and front site and i think the front metal piece that goes over the bayonet hook is mismatches also so i was just wondering if anyone knew if this was a arsenal refinish or not?

[Robert]

With mismatching numbers I would doubt it was "refinish". It may have been done late in the war when renumbering and matching numbers was on little concern with whatever parts were laying around. It may have been done in the field but a unit armorer.