IMHO, Sodia simply followed the tradition of the European gun trade: When they had an order for an better, but not highest quality M98 rifle in 7x64 without special engraving, stock carving or extraordinary barrel shape, they simply bought it in from the specialist gunmaker W.Roell and marked it with their own name for retail. I have seen several Roell Mausers remarked by the retailing gunmakers. I don't think the 7-64 on the receiver ring is a date, that would be 7.64. IMHO it is simply another caliber designation, stamped by Sodia in the same place, on the receiver ring, where it was on other Austrian repeaters, IE Mannlicher-Schoenauers. Usually European gunsmithes reblue the whole barrel assembly after soldering on scope bases and/or doing some file or stamping work.