WWII M12 markings question

[westgard]

I really don't know about their auction policies. I always thought with auctions in general that once the hammer fell, you owned it, like it or not....

[Johnny Peppers]

The markings in question sure do appear engraved. Looks like you can see each cut mark from hammer and chisel or pneumatic engraving. The original markings were put on with a roll die.
How late were the Model 12 trench guns made, and did they go to phosphate finish? That one has to be very late 1945. Would be interesting to know the barrel date.

[Tom Doniphon]

I think it's the macro close-up lens, the lighting and camera angle that give the marks an engraved appearance.

This gun is definitely in the right serial number range for a Model 12 trench gun with blued finish. It's likely a late 1943 or early 1944 made gun. The parkerized trench guns don't show up until about the 1,030,000 range.