Info request on a Luger at auction
 

Sorry ED, I need to learn how to direct link. Request imput on a 1912 DWM listed on Auction Arms #9496593. Why would the military proofs be defaced and some of the unit mark be defaced? Could this have been done at a unit level? and can the unit be made out. This is the first Luger I've seen with the unit placed in such a fasion. Was this common? Alway trying to learn more!
Tks,Bill

Link - http://www.auctionarms.com/search/di...temnum=9496593

Wow! In this shape still asking 4-digit.....

Anyone make out the unit markings?
 

It is not a common location for an Imperial marking but not unheard of either. I would interpret the markings as III.M.G.K. (orA.) R.J.R.74. If the third letter is an "A" it would probably indicate III. Machine Gun Abteilung. The roman numeral III makes it difficult to read as normally a roman numeral designator will only apply to a battalion or an Army Corps. Neither if tese are possibilities as the 74th Reserve Division was part of the X. corps and there were no MG battalions.

The markings were probably obliterated in Germany by whoever took it home after the war.