Ethiopian Oddities: The Mo43 Mauser - Handmade or Factory?

Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! Today’s Ethiopian Oddity appears to be a factory-built Mauser short rifle, but embellished with a couple replacement parts (nosecap retainer, stock, bayonet lug) and some truly mysterious markings. The top of the receiver has been milled down flat, and hand-engraved with a quite odd crest, along with the markings “Mo43“ and “GERMANY“. Several other parts are also hand-numbered “43“. The question is, why were these markings put on this rifle? Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740