1888 Commission Rifle

[Pitspitr]

I was in Nebraska Gun in Lincoln yesterday and they had an1888 Commission Rifle for $198. I didn't check the bore but externally it looked pretty good.

[Delmonico]

The barrel would need slugged if it isn't marked with an S.  It may have the 0.318 bore.

[sail32]

These two books will provide information on the development and modifications of the Gew 88.

The German Rifle By Walter, John  (Book - 1979 )  623.4425 Wal

German Military Rifles and Machine Pistols, 1871-1945 By Gotz, Hans-Dieter (Book - 1990 )  355.82 Got

Most Gew 88s were modified during WW1 for charger loading and spritzer ammunition.

Look for an "S" stamp on the rifle at the breech. The chamber was modified and the barrel left as for the last or the 1888 ammunition.

The books also cover the development of the 7.92mm cartridge.

The Germans originally copied the Lebel rifling in their hast to get a smokeless powder rifle into production.

[pony express]

Lebels actually had larger bore and groove diameters than the 7.92, although not as large as the 8MM for the Steyr  straight pull.

I have read that some , perhaps the ones from South America, had bores as small as .315, these had replacement barrels not from Germany.

They did "somewhat" copy the cartridge, though. Although the shape is different, and more modern than the 8X50 Lebel, the case capacity is very nearly the same.

Is this one an 88 in original configuration, or an 88/05 with the charger guides added to the receiver?

Also, missing bolt heads seems to be a common problem with these.

[Charles Isaac]

Anything the US Marines picked up and used is cool, and I want an M1888 because they are now cool!

I want the Mannlicher clip version with the .318 bore though, 'cause that's the coolest version-and you know why.......because the Marines used it!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Here is an article;

http://milpas.cc/rifles/ZFiles/Bolt%20Action%20Rifles/GEWHER%201888-S%20COMMISSION%20RIFLE/Commission1888%20Rifle.htm

[pony express]

Anything the US Marines picked up and used is cool, and I want an M1888 because they are now cool!

I want the Mannlicher clip version with the .318 bore though, 'cause that's the coolest version-and you know why.......because the Marines used it!





I'd like to have one, too. But unfortunately, as the Rolling Stones once sang" You can't always get what you want". Too many wants, not enough dollars....

Way back when I bought this one, early to mid 90's, I didn't know much about them. I bought the rifle, then wandered around the show some more until I found someone that had some clips for it. Got home and lo and behold, clips wouldn't go in it! But loose rounds did. Not sure where I got my research back then, but eventually I found out about 88/05, and 88/14 rifles. I bet the guy that sold me the clips could see that the rifle I had was an 88/05, but sold me what I asked for anyway!

[Charles Isaac]

Some of those gun show operators can be pretty slick!  I just might end up with one with the later mods too. Components to make the ammo are more readily available too.

That link posted by Sir Charles is great!  I never knew about the manufacturer controversy and the M1888 becoming known as "the Jewish rifle". Very interesting.

[sail32]

Good article on the Gew-88, interesting he uses an Italian source when German sources are available.
It seem the author is learning as he goes along, based on all the articles.

The Germans and Americans played catch up with the French in regards to bullet design and ballistics.
The German sS 198 grain bullet of 1918, was a variation of the French Ball D.

"The calibration goes from 500 to 1800 steps (375 - 1350 m) with intervals of 100 steps (75 meters)."

From the net=
Although the Zollverein collapsed after the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, the metric system became the official system of measurement in the newly formed German Empire in 1872[13]:350 and of Austria in 1875.[80] The Zollpfund ceased to be legal in Germany after 1877.[81]


"Peculiar characteristic of this model (than did not come extended to no successive model) is the presence of metallic a tubular hand-guard with function of protection of the hands from the heat. The muff is in contact with the cane only to its extremities.
The gun is not supplied of some type of cut off and therefore it is not possible to load it manually while piastrina is inserted one."

Germany, Gew 88; Belgium Mauser 1889 and Denmark, Krag 1889 all used barrel jackets.

For anyone who is serious about German rifles these two books are recommended.

The German Rifle By Walter, John  (Book - 1979 )  623.4425 Wal

This is the better book;
German Military Rifles and Machine Pistols, 1871-1945 By Gotz, Hans-Dieter (Book - 1990 )  355.82 Got

This book goes into detail on rifling, ammunition, modifications, etc.

[Grenadier]

If it's complete, that's a helluva deal!

[Major Matt Lewis]

What pistol would go with it?  A Reich Pistol?  Those are MIGHTY Hard to come by.

[pony express]

What pistol would go with it?  A Reich Pistol?  Those are MIGHTY Hard to come by.

Yes and yes! Hard to correctly match anything with one of those.

[Major Matt Lewis]

Not to mention aren't they something like 11mm?  That would be pretty hard to get reloads for.  Every once in a while, they crop up on Gunbroker.com, but the reloading would be a bear!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Not to mention aren't they something like 11mm?  That would be pretty hard to get reloads for.  Every once in a while, they crop up on Gunbroker.com, but the reloading would be a bear!

11.6mm reichsrevolverpatronen.

Essentially a .44 Russian. Dead easy to load for.  In service until replaced by the Parabellum.

P.S: My Mod83 Reichsrevolver had the lanyard ring removed at some time in the distant past and has FIVE NOTCHES carved into the grip.

[Niederlander]

If you can't find a pistol, just shoot in Infantry class.  It's been done before!

[pony express]

I already have the rifle, can't afford the pistol, and don't often see the bayo I want to go with it, either.

[Delmonico]

I don't know if anyone has seen the carbine but all kinds of just plain cool, I saw one one time.   

[Major Matt Lewis]

Oh hey, 5 notches in the grip, that's badass.  The Commission Rifle has a serious cool factor.  That's for sure.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Oh hey, 5 notches in the grip, that's badass.  The Commission Rifle has a serious cool factor.  That's for sure.

I bought it in Williams Lake BC, the heart, or close to it, of our province's cowboy country. Whether it was a WWI capture, or who carved the notches, or whether they were for men or rabid coyotes, I DUNNO!

P.S: Not military marked and a mismatched cylinder.  I didn't buy it as a trophy or collectors piece, but as a shooter that DID NOT NEED TO BE REGISTERED!

[Pitspitr]

If it's complete, that's a helluva deal!

That's what I thought. I just didn't have the money or it'd be in my gun safe right now.