My Wallhanger

[Pilgrim]

This is little more than a tomatoe stake, functioanlly anyway. The bore is trash, but it does look good standing in the corner or hanging on the wall.

It's a GEW88 Commission Rifle, an 1890 Erfurt model. I got it minus bolt assmbly with some other stuff I bought. Found an old bolt to make it complete. It's the predecessor to the Mauser. Looks like it's been around the world a few times but the 'wear' makes it look cool. I find the barrel cover interesting.

Anyone else got one?

 

[JuergenG]

Is it a Turkish one ?

 

[Pilgrim]

German

 

[JuergenG]

Of course German.
Most of the ones we see here are either made for
or exported to Turkey, that's why I asked.

 

[Pilgrim]

What I meant was that there are no markings that would indicate anywhere but Germany.

 

[Cledus J. Crabb]

Is that one of the Commision rifles they converted to 7.92 in the teens?
I had one of those in my hands the other night. A lot lighter, weight wise than it looks.

 

[Pilgrim]

I heard that a lot were modified but I'm not sure about the caliber, but I think you're right. I really don't know much about them. There isn't much literature available that I can find.

 

[JuergenG]

Does it have an "S" stencilled onto the receiver ?
Then it has been converted to the 8x57 IS (.323) round.
If not, it would still be 8x57 I (.318).

 

[Pilgrim]

Does it have an "S" stencilled onto the receiver ?
Then it has been converted to the 8x57 IS (.323) round.
If not, it would still be 8x57 I (.318).

Yes it does. Thanks for the info.

 

[JuergenG]

You may want to try some Sellier & Bellot rounds.
Their premium 8x57 IS is loaded with the 200 grs Sierra Match King, and they
also make cheaper one using a 196 grs FMJ; a good training round, though.
The commercial loads made in the U.S. are rather anemic compared to both.

The old designation for the 8x57IS' bullet is "sS" for "schweres Spitzgeschoss" which stands for "heavy pointed bullet".
The 8x57IS used by the German armies had a bullet weight of 196-198 grs.