butler: While I suspect other forum members may have their own opinions and insights, my own impression is that in general there really has not been enough concerted study of Gew 88 regimental markings to clearly demonstrate which ones are -- or are not -- particularly "rare." I've published a preliminary list of randomly collected Gew 88 markings in The Military Rifle Journal earlier this year (2009) and am in the process of wrapping up another collection of these for submission to the same journal. I haven't done a "nose count" on how many markings are represented but it is likely on the order of about 400 or so -- all in all this is a very small sample of the many markings which were used on these rifles by the Imperial German army. While some markings appear less frequently than others, this is likely due to sample error and any conclusions should be taken as extremely tentative rather than definitive.

These comments having been made, I'm tempted to say that Landsturm (Replacement Reserve Battalions) markings as used during World War I are among the lesser seen markings. An example of these markings -- L.Woh.2.231." was recently reported in the forum titled Commission Rifle. This stands for 2nd Landsturm Battalion based in Wohlau, Germany. This mark was stamped on a front barrel band.

Another (in my opinion) scare marking appeared on a Gew 88 buttplate. This mark read "I.LST.J.B.ALT./4.K.151." for I. Landsturm Infantrie Battalion at Altona (IX.14 - 9th Armee Korps. 14th Btln.) or 1st Landsturm Jnf. [Infantry] Btln. Altona, 4th Kompanie, 151st weapon. As this accompanied a mismatched rifled, I would not attempt to guess as to its specific history.

Understandably, compiling anything remotely resembling a "comprehensive" list of Gew 88 regimental markings would be a long and slow process -- but it can be done. I would encourage all members of this forum who have not done so to post the markings on their rifles (most typically found on the barrel bands and infrequently on the left receiver rail) paying particular attention to these letters which are stamped in italics or Latin font.