Strange part on K98k?

[P08]

Have you ever seen this before? I've seen it on several K98k's now. It looks like red plastic. First I thought that this part would always be black like the rest of the gun's metal surfaces, but after seeing this red plastic like strip on more than one original matching numbers K98k I'm starting to wonder. What is it? Is it original? It can't be?

http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-foru...oad.php?id=977

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

PO8, your picture does not show up!

[Matt Starr]

is it the redish strip on the bolt release mechanism?
Regards
Matt

[P08]

Yes the redish strip. What on earth is that? Don't tell me it's original German

[Bill Grist]

pict..

Yes the redish strip. What on earth is that? Don't tell me it's original German

Show some picts..BILL

[Matt Starr]

here you go Bill,
I cant work out what its made of at them moment

[Peter Wiking]

I think that is the finish of the metal. No worry.

Cheers.
Peter

[Bill Grist]

Metal finish

here you go Bill,
I cant work out what its made of at them moment

This is a plum (reddish) color on the flat retaining spring on the bolt stop.. The reddish (plum) color is caused by either a high content of Nickle, or crominium in the metal make up, or dirty bluing salts..Thus giving a PLUM color... No red plastic here.....BILL

[P08]

Ok thanks. So it probably is original. It just feels strange when I tap on it with my fingernail. Plastic like.... But I've seen it on a completely original 1937 also. Never noticed it until recently.