Kar 88

[Donny B]

I know that this rifle isn't actually a Mauser, but this seemed like the right place to inquire about it.

I bought this rifle on an on-line auction, and will be picking it up tonight. I can find all the info I need about the rifle by GOGGLING Karbiner88 or Gewehr88, but it's all historical info. I can't find any site that has parts for this rifle.

Does anyone here know where I can find parts for this rifle?

http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss29/lunkerdog/13I.jpg[/URL]



http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss29/lunkerdog/13G.jpg[/URL]

I had a little trouble, I hope the links work.

[Donny B]

Lets try again

http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss29/lunkerdog/13A.jpg

http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss29/lunkerdog/13G.jpg

http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss29/lunkerdog/13I.jpg

OK I think I got it this time.

[5MadFarmers]

Lets try again

OK I think I got it this time.

No, you didn't, but that's ok.

What parts are you looking for?

Stock is cut down.

[Donny B]

5 Mad Farmers, to say that I'm computer ignorant is an understatement! It was a stretch for me to post the links for the pics.

This rifle didn't come with a clip. It seems as if the clip inserts from the bottom, and is then loaded from the top with some sort of speed loader. I've been able to find "stripper clips" but am not familiar with them, and not sure which ones I would need.

I can't say what happened to the stock, but yes it was cut down and reshaped for some reason.

Can you tell me anything about the markings on the receiver? I've been told that the S stamped on it indicates that it was re-barreled to the caliber of 8mm Mauser(.323 not .318) and the difference in the bluing between the barrel and the receiver seems to indicate that this is true, but I will be bringing to my gunsmith on Monday to have the barrel slugged to find out exactly what caliber it is. I haven't been able to find out what the other markings indicate yet.

I know these rifles were used by the Turkish Army as late as WWII, and they were also used in the Mexican Revolution. But the markings on this rifle appear to be oriental to me indicating that this rifle may have been sold to China, or Japan.

Any info you can tell me about the markings, or parts availability would be greatly appreciated.

[5MadFarmers]

The clip is a Mannlicher style clip which contains 5 rounds. Unlike the typical Mannlicher the clip can be inserted without a concern for it being "upside down." Prior to WW1 they were brass. During WW1 steel ones were made. I suspect you can find reproduction ones in the US but here is a German one (expensive):

http://www.historica-shop.eu/Zubehoer/Ladestreifen-u-Rahmen/Laderahmen-G88-Repro.html

At least you'll be able to ID it.

Buy this, it'll save you time:

http://www.amazon.com/Collectors-German-Commission-Rifles-Carbines/dp/1931464308

Covers the markings and caliber question. Well worth the money.

[JBinIll]

Clips are obtainable, I believe Sarco has them and maybe GunParts.As far as carbine wood and the stock fittings they are pretty much unobtainium.

[Donny B]

5MadFarmers, thanks for the link to the book I just ordered it. I'm not sure about that link to the clip though, if that's a clip, it's by far the strangest clip I've ever seen. I guess it would help if I could read German, but as it is I struggle with English.

Upon further inspection of those markings with a magnifying glass (my eyes aren't what they used to be) it turns out that the markings aren't oriental at all. They appear to be a D, a C, and a B in that order with a crown stamped on the top of each of them. There are a few other markings on the rifle too so I'm looking forward to that book, it should arrive on Tuesday.

JB do you have the web address to either of those sites?

[5MadFarmers]

What it would look like. Third from bottom. The wife doesn't like me buying non-US guns but I sneak some in here and there.



Matching Spandaus. Made the same week - maybe even the same day. Not South American returns. Strangely they came from podunk auctions not far from each other and not far apart.

I have a soft spot for the Commissions.

[Donny B]

I'm quickly developing a soft spot for them. I've become quit fond of this one in just a couple of days. I hope it all checks out well at my gunsmith. If it doesn't I'll take it on the chin for $117.50, but that's not too bad, I've had to eat a lot more than that over the years.

If it checks out I'm going to develop some 220 grain rounds and make a brush beater out of it. I used to hunt with a friend that had a 98 Mauser, that 8mm was extremely effective on Whitetails.

I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of that book on Tuesday, there's markings all over this rifle.

[5MadFarmers]

I'm not sure about that link to the clip though, if that's a clip, it's by far the strangest clip I've ever seen. I guess it would help if I could read German, but as it is I struggle with English.

Included for the picture. As made they used those 5 shot clips.



Many were altered later:

Page with a later one.


Ignore the German, just look at the picture as it shows standard Mauser clips. That's an alteration many had made.

I have a number of them and a handful of original clips. A box of clips, 300 thereabouts, came up on the German gun auction site (ebang.de) but he wouldn't ship to the US. Should have had them shipped to a friend in Germany and had him ship them. Oh well.

Cartridges. Read the book and it'll explain much. The two biggest things you'll get from the book are the markings and the answer to the noise surrounding Commissions and cartridges.

Cheers.

[Donny B]

Thanks for the picture, it answered a few questions for me.

It's clear that I'm going to get a much broader education than I had ever anticipated when I bought this rifle. A new rifle to work with is fun enough, a history lesson to boot is a double bonus!

[dave]

5 Mad Farmers, to say that I'm computer ignorant is an understatement! It was a stretch for me to post the links for the pics.

This rifle didn't come with a clip. It seems as if the clip inserts from the bottom, and is then loaded from the top with some sort of speed loader. I've been able to find "stripper clips" but am not familiar with them, and not sure which ones I would need.

I can't say what happened to the stock, but yes it was cut down and reshaped for some reason.

Can you tell me anything about the markings on the receiver? I've been told that the S stamped on it indicates that it was re-barreled to the caliber of 8mm Mauser(.323 not .318) and the difference in the bluing between the barrel and the receiver seems to indicate that this is true, but I will be bringing to my gunsmith on Monday to have the barrel slugged to find out exactly what caliber it is. I haven't been able to find out what the other markings indicate yet.

I know these rifles were used by the Turkish Army as late as WWII, and they were also used in the Mexican Revolution. But the markings on this rifle appear to be oriental to me indicating that this rifle may have been sold to China, or Japan.

Any info you can tell me about the markings, or parts availability would be greatly appreciated.

The only thing "the difference in blueing between receiver and barrel" tells you is that the reciever has never been blued, they were originally "in the white"! And as far as having the barrel slugged I think you will find it is still .318. The barrels were not opened up or changed for the conversion, the throat of the chamber was relieved a few thou to allow expansion of the larger case neck. Otherwise the bullet would 'stick' and not release properly and raise pessures. The clips are typical Mannlicher system, they fall out the bottom when m/t. Some of these were converted to take single cart.'s by adding a gadget at the top that held them in the mag and a cover was snapped over the bottom of mag. thus stripper clips could be used. All those markings are nothing but inspection and proof marks. PS: That 'barrel' you are looking at is NOT the barrel but a cover over the barrel. It screws off of the receiver front. If you are going to shoot this rifle I would recommend you take this apart to inspect the barrel, it can be a rust bucket under there.

[Donny B]

5MadFarmers, I just thought I would stop in and thank you again for that tip on that book. It is a very interesting read.

[RCS]

early clip for the Model 1888

Here is a photo of an early clip from my collection, the cartridges are headstamped U.M.C. 8 m/m

[5MadFarmers]

5MadFarmers, I just thought I would stop in and thank you again for that tip on that book. It is a very interesting read.

Glad it helped. Much ink has been spilled over the Commission rifles, most of it nonsense, that on that particular rifle it's best to just get that book.

Enjoy the rifle. They're under appreciated.