An update on the inscription that was shown from two alleged "Japanese" Luger barrels...
I printed out the photo showing the two sets of symbols and presented it to two young Japanese born and raised acquaintences without explanation and requested if they could read the inscription that was found on two similar antiques... independently, they each came to the conclusion that the first three symbols are not of Japanese origin... and just as independently, they each said that the remaining 5 symbols indicated a "type of the 14th year"
(Photo re-displayed here for convenience)
Can anyone document the character type of the first three symbols with any known reference?
Only after their partial translation of the inscription did I educate my acquaintences on the origin of the photos... neither of these gentlemen are gun enthusiasts... and once they had each offered their opinion to me privately, they consulted with each other and confirmed their translation to the best of their ability. They attributed the difference in the next to the last symbol (both agreed it was the same symbol) to the depth of the stamping on a curved surface...
Comments and opinions are welcome.
I find this topic VERY interesting.
