Thread: Old Single shot rifle

Greetings all,
The date, if any, on the opposite side of the receiver is important as it tells us when the rifle was made. Compared with mine the NZ and 98 stampings look crude which makes me wonder about them. I wonder what the S means. The number on the top rear of the receiver is much higher than mine which is only three digit. There is a story here which someone with more knowledge may be able to unravel for us.
Regards Grandpamac.
PS, The rifles in use in South Africa were carbines which our mystery rifle was not. The carbines were replaced with bolt actions in early 1900 while our mystery rifle was still a 577-450.