Mystery markings on my M1917
Hello. I registered on this forum specifically for this mystery rifle, although I do hope to post on here more often, especially if I manage to collect even more milsurp firearms. I ordered this rifle, sporterized (I know, that bothers a lot of people) online a while back, and have been wondering about the kanji on the barrel ever since. The marking near the front sight is 12-18, so that appears to be WW1 original. I couldn't get a good picture of it, it was too shallow.
The interesting thing though is the strange markings on the underside of the barrel, accompanied by what looks like "J O"
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../J5OfEfH-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../IuenOWn-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...56Sajpg1-1.jpg
I oriented the pictures in the way in which I have assumed, and been told by others, that they would probably be read. Does anybody have any idea what that means, or its origin? I really appreciate you taking a look.
http://imgur.com/a/9HgoF
http://imgur.com/a/zyMOj
I also included the full album of images of the markings I took, and general views of the rifle, if anybody is interested. It is really very beautiful. It looks like someone put a lot of time into sporterizing it.
Why are the marks where they are?
I can't offer a solution, but I think that before diving into interpretation it would be helpful to consider WHY the markings are placed where they are? Any kind of rack number, ownership marks or other such public statements ("This is OUR rifle") would surely be placed where everyone can see them?
Marks on the bottom of the barrel or - and this is really extraordinary - on the inside of the floorplate, where no-one can see them without dismanting the rifle, are therefore hardly ownership marks but something to do with parts/assembly identification.
And just to muddy the waters even further, I would be cautious of assuming that they are Kanjis of any kind. In fact, to my eyes they look more like Naga (North-East India) characters!
Or how about reading them from top to bottom - I see PHIL... in a kind of runic script...