Der Jaeger,

Thank you for your input. I have realized that I have left out a detail that may mean something, maybe not. At one time there may have been a makers name on the top rib. I have no idea when but at some time in this guns life someone carefully ran an end mill down the strip normally reserved for a makers name and removed it. Afterward they must have used some cold blue cover the white steel. I have seen this on other German guns and have wondered why in the hell someone would do that. The only guess that I have is perhaps the guy who took the gun out of the country (more than likely a US or Allied soldier) thought that the name on the rib was the original owners name and that somehow he'd get in trouble for stealing it; it's just a thought. Do you have any ideas about the date or who "EF" might be? I'm thinking the "EF" is an inspector’s mark but I'd like to hear what others think.

Regards,

Marcus