Ok one more ?? about markings on my 1918 Erfurt

Ok, I have only one more question concearning markings on my 1918 Erfurt made VOPO P-08 pistol.


On the left side of the receiver, near where the four digit serial number is stamped, there is a large "88" stamped sideways on the receiver, near the barrel shank. The marking looks like it was added later and not put on the gun in 1918, when it was made.


Anyone know what the "88" means? Could it be a police marking or another EG mark, like the small starburst located on the frame, south of the triggerplate?


Could this be a WWII Nazi unit marking? If this pistol was used by the German Army in WWII...wouldn't it have some sort of Nazi markings on it somewhere? (this pistol has none and the Imperial Eagle stamps are on the gun and are unmarked. Wouldn't the Russkies or EGs grind these markings off, if it was a "capture piece?" I regularly see 98 Mauser rifles and Walther P-38s with the eagle/swastika marks stippled out - was this done to the P-08s when they were captured as well?


Sorry...lots of questions, but you guys seem to know more about these wonderful guns than anybody else...therefore I ask.


Thanks!


-SA


(PS the pistol in question is a 1918 Erfurt EG P-08 re-work with a 1951 EG replacement barrel and the bakelite grips and has a non-reflective metal finish that is very uniform. I know this Erfurt is the "red-headed stepchild" of Lugers but it is in overall excellent shape, has all matching numbers and no rust or major dings and for some reason, is just a very interesting piece to me, personally)