Original Item: Only one Available. This is a very good example of the iconic German Gewehr 1888 "Commission Rifle", also known as the Gewehr 88, or GEW 88. It was made by Ludwig Loewe & Company in Berlin, the company that eventually become the famous Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken Aktien-Gesellschaft (German Weapons and Munitions public limited company), known more commonly as DWM. They were a major producer of weapons for Imperial Germany before and during the First World War. The rifle then saw long service, as indicated by the large number of different and mismatched markings on the gun.

These rifles were originally chambered for 7.92mm Patrone 88 ammunition and had a fixed magazine loaded by En-bloc clip. As with virtually all Gewehr 88 rifles in service, this example was converted to take the 7.92×57mm Mauser S Patrone, and has an S stamped above the chamber, indicating the conversion. The Spitzer-shaped S Cartridge was ballistically superior to the M/88, however the chamber required modification to accept the larger projectile and thicker walled shell casing.

This particular rifle also has notched plates welded to the rear of the receiver on either side to accept the 1905 pattern stripper clips, making this a Gewehr 88/05 S. This conversion also involved filling in the slots on the inner sides of the receiver where the en-bloc clip used to be, and installation of a floor plate to keep dirt out of the magazine. It also has the tell tale "notch" cut into the rear of the receiver, as the loaded clip would run into this area. The magazine floor plate clip is dated 1914, and there is a bit of an inlet added to the left receiver to aid in loading stripper clips.

The right side of the receiver is marked Gew. 88. in German blackface type, and also has serial number 1006 / a stamped on the receiver and barrel jacket, while the serial numbers on the magazine housing, bolt, and other components are all non-matching. This gun would have been re-worked at arsenal before being issued for reserve use during WWI, and possibly earlier. Over the chamber it is clearly marked LOEWE BERLIN. / 1891. However in addition this rifle was then shipped to Germany's World War One Ally TURKEY, who stamped a CRESCENT MOON and Eastern Arabic style numbers on the firing pin holder on the end of the bolt. Additionally the rear sight ladder was completely remarked with these numbers, and also had the original slider replaced with a bent steel one.

Rifle is in very good service used condition, with a wood stock that has a great worn patina from use and long service. It definitely looks to have been arsenal reconditioned, which has unfortunately made the original proof markings very faint, but has also given it a beautiful red-brown color. There is an approximately 4" x 1/4" piece of wood missing from the left side of the stock next to the receiver, but there are no other missing chunks or large cracks we can see. The front sling swivel is present and moves easily, and the rear sling clip has had a metal swivel fitted so that it can accommodate a standard sling.

The metalwork on the rifle shows an overall matte oxidized patina from oxidation and subsequent cleaning. We can still see some of the original bluing on the barrel jacket, but it is quite faded. There is some wear on the bolt bearing surfaces, however the bore is actually in very good condition. It has clear lands and grooves with a mostly bright finish, showing just a bit of rounding on the lands and a few areas of past removed fouling. The rare double-slot cleaning rod is still present, as is the bolt extractor, which is easily lost during cleaning. The firing pin and extractor are both still present, and the action cycles nicely, with the safety fully functional. The bolt release is still functional and allows easily removal of the bolt for cleaning.

With its clear 1891 dated LOEWE BERLIN receiver marking, Gewehr 88/05 S conversion features, Turkish markings, and extensive assortment of mismatched service components, this rifle has considerable visual and research appeal. The surviving double slot cleaning rod, extractor, functional action, and notably good bore further enhance the example, while the worn stock, missing section of wood, faded finish, and arsenal reworking honestly reflect its long service history. Although the Turkish markings are consistent with later Turkish military use, we cannot determine when the rifle was transferred or establish the specific units, campaigns, or fronts on which it served. This would make an appealing addition to an Imperial German, WWI, Ottoman or Turkish military, or military rifle development collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1891
Maker: Ludwig Loewe
Model: 1888/05 S Commission Rifle
Caliber: 7.92×57mm Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 29 inches
Overall Length: 49 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 5 round internal magazine
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

History of the Gewehr 88

In 1886, the French Army unveiled the Modelle 1886 "Lebel" rifle. There was an immediate reaction in German military circles bordering on hysteria. Why? Because the Lebel was the world's first small bore military rifle using an efficient smokeless powder cartridge. Now, the Lebel, which used a tubular magazine located under the barrel was not a particularly noteworthy design, but the power and flat trajectory of the new French 8mm round far outclassed the 11mm Reichspatrone black powder round used in the contemporary German infantry rifle, the Mauser 71/84.

In this rather charged atmosphere, the German Gewehr Prfungs Kommission (GPK - Rifle Testing Commission) went to work. Initially, the idea was to revise the Mauser Gewehr 71/84 to use a small caliber smokeless powder round based on the old 11mm black powder Reichspatrone. To this extent, production machinery was ordered from the Ludwig Loewe Company of Berlin-Charlottenburg in December, 1887. As things progressed, the GPK became disillusioned with this technical approach, and so a rather strange hybrid of ideas took shape.

The bolt design was highly revised by a Spandau Arsenal technician named Louis Schlegelmilch and features a separate bolt head. The ensuing rifle had a Schlegelmilch/Mauser action, a five shot clip loaded Mannlicher style magazine (note: while the clip falls out as with the Mannlicher clips, this one was markedly improved in that it could be loaded with either end down as opposed to only one end on the true Mannlicher), and a full length barrel jacket designed by Armand Mieg. The pitch and profile of the rifling were copied directly from that of the Lebel. The cartridge chosen was a modified Swiss style rimless design based on the ideas of Eduard Rubin. By March 23, 1888, the Bavarian military observer in Berlin, General von Xylander reported that the development was virtually complete.

Field trials for the new rifle were completed in November, 1888, and the GPK recommended that it be adopted immediately. The adoption orders were signed by Kaiser Wilhelm II on November 12, 1888. Issue of the Gewehr 88 as the new rife was designated, were first made in the spring of 1889 to the XV and XVI Armeekorps stationed in Elsass-Lothringen. Issue to the Bavarian military units began in October 1889, and by August 1890, all Prussian, Saxon, and Wrttemberger line units had been re-equipped.

The Gewehr 88 was made by the three primary Prussian arsenals at Danzig, Erfurt, and Spandau, a smaller Bavarian establishment at Amberg, as well as several private contractors, including the Ludwig Loewe Company, Osterreichische Waffenfabrik Gesellschaft (Steyr), and Haenel. Production figures up to the time production ceased in 1897 are as follows:

Prussian Government Arsenals: 750,000

Amberg: 425,000

Loewe: 425,000

Steyr: 300,000

Haenel: 100,000

Total: 1,675,000

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.