I recently took possession of the above Mauser, with virtually no wear anywhere, but chromed at some point after proofing. My gunsmith thinks it might be a parade rifle. It must have been brought home by a Doughboy, because there are no subsequent Reichswehr of Wehrmacht markings on it, which it certainly would have, had it been used in WWII.
Has anyone ever heard of a Gewehr 98 chromed at the factory, or by the Imperial Army (as opposed to chromed by the Doughboy who brought it home)?
Thanks!
JEff