I have a k98 that i recently found a skull on it also has a star on the barrel halfway down and // ~ markings were these ss proofings?
Just an update, but it's not a "lazy S", it's a lazy M. At least, that's what "Backbone of the Wehrmacht" says. They had a pic of one.
I am not an expert, but I have seen a star on some barrels and TS marked on others. They are not all the same.
Brian