You are assuming it was German done? Why? It is far more likely it was done during the soviet-communist "reworking". That they felt the slaughter of the original finish and tossing original parts to the wind was inadequate.
There is no reason to assume this was done by the Germans, especially as this is not typical of period German reworking practice.
Well, I see you are not quite on the same page.. the barrel was a German ordnance spare, probably replaced at a depot during the war. They probably numbered (and fireproofed) the barrel to the receiver at that time (using the original receivers serial).
i'm not sure what you are inferring by "you are not quite on the same page..". do you mean that i'm not on the same page as YOU? You wrote "They....". who are you referring to, the germans or the russians?
However, in this case, I am not even sure the serial numbers under the overstrike are original (actually I am pretty sure they aren't), as they look far too apart and not quite right to me.
"Too far apart"? are you talking distance? are you saying that the visible numbers are a 3rd strike? i've looked at the numbers under a microscope, and would be happy to provide measurements as well as pics as i don't agree with that based on what i see in person.
In any case, I hear Gunboards has a very knowledgeable moderator now, one that has sorted through several thousand rc’s, and he might have the answers as to why the communists-soviet reworkers might have done this to your fine rifle.
look, i'm not trying to be an a$$ here, just trying to learn. seems counterproductive to make assumptions, then have someone disagree with you and you seemingly post a reply that infers that they should go play somewhere else...
I do not care where you play, here or in traffic is equally agreeable by me…
As to whether or not you agree with my opinion is hardly the point? You have an opinion based upon your level of experience, and I have one based upon mine. It is for others to come up with their own conclusions who is right.
If the point is truly about learning about your rifle, then you might have a more productive experience if you take the rifle apart and show all its markings (barreled receiver) and keep an open mind?
As you see, I have no agenda here as I do not own or want to own your rifle, nor benefit in anyway if yours is authentic German or soviet altered.
Oh, and yes I did reply on Gunboards about this rifle, largely with the same result (you missing the implications of my post- that is wasn't German applied and you could tell just from the way the serialing is applied)
i will definitely post more pics of this rifle. i have no issues with that. i find the damn thing intriguing. i am in this for info, not money.
Bed on my limited experience (next to Paul's)....I agree with Paul, seems very sloppy for something the Germans would do. I would think even a field level armorer would have neatly lined out the original s/n, and stamped the new one above or below it.
As paul said, the 0,2 on the shank proves this barrel was originally changed by the Germans, the 0,2 being the designation for a changed barrel. Too bad its an RC, there would have most likely been a stamp on the stock indicating the depot the repair(s) took place.
I just think the overnumbering is way too sloppy to have been done by the Germans. I could be very wrong, but that would be an educated guess. These rifles could have been through a myriad of hands post war, many of which did some really odd things to them....
there is a bunch of them...