Japanese shotgun?????

[sheepherder]

Bill, Teri emailed me some additional comments on your shotgun -

The writing on the stock appears to be rack or inventory numbers.
The top part says "se 300" (se is a Japanese letter, possibly a series
marker or an abbreviation for a unit name).
Below it says "ho 1171" (again, ho is a Japanese letter, possibly a series
marker or an abbreviation for a unit name).
Se was also used as an inspection mark by Kokura Arsenal.
On the butt, the markings that are stamped in appear to be yo 5982. (again,
yo is a Japanese letter, possibly a series marker or an abbreviation for a
unit name. This katakana symbol looks like a backwards E).
Yo was also used as an inspection mark by Yokosuka Naval Arsenal.