Original German Pre-WWI Gewehr 88 S Commission Rifle by ŒWG Steyr Matching Serial 178/W – Dated 1890 Original Items

Original Item: Only one Available. This is a good example of the iconic German Gewehr 1888 “Commission Rifle”, also known as the Gewehr 88, or GEW 88. It was manufactured by the Steyr Mannlicher firearms division of Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft (ŒWG, Austrian Arms-Manufacturing Company) in Austria.

The rifle then and then saw long service, as indicated by the large number of different markings on the gun. It still retains the German Regimental Markings on the lower barrel band:  30. R.R. 24. 56. This signifies use by the 30th Reserve Infantry Regiment, Company 24, Weapon 56. It was common to issue obsolete firearms to the reserve regiments in many countries, and unfortunately the original regimental markings were removed, so we do not know where it was first issued.

These rifles were originally chambered for 7.92mm Patrone 88 ammunition and had a fixed magazine. As with virtually all Gewehr 88 rifles in service, this example has the the tell tale “notch” cut into the rear of the receiver ring to accept the slightly longer spitzer-type S Patrone cartridge. This indicates that it 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 thicker walled shell casing. This particularly rifle however was never updated further, to use the Mauser 98 stripper clips, so it does not have the cut away under the date, or the rear guides for the clip.

It even retains its very unusual correct M-1888 cleaning rod with double slots, which were often lost or broken over the years. The right side of the receiver is marked Gew. 88. in German blackface type and also has serial number 178 / W on the barrel and receiver, which is also marked on the trigger guard/ magazine housing, the trigger guard screws, as well as on all components of the bolt. Over the chamber it is marked  Œ / WG / STEYR / 1890. 

Rifle is in good used condition, with a solid stock and metalwork. The receiver and bolt were originally bright steel, and have faded with a nice patina. The barrel jacket however has a good amount of rust peppering, which has been left as is. The stock does not have any repairs or major damage we can see, and the original German proofs are visible in many areas. It does have wear on the bolt bearing surfaces, and the bore is somewhat worn. Lands and grooves can still be seen, but they are rounded, and the finish does have some oxidation.

An absolutely genuine GERMAN contract M-1888 Service Rifle, issued to a German Infantry Regiment in 1890, and later issued to reserves. Almost all of these were later updated to the 88/15 S standard, so finding one that was not updated or shipped to Turkey as aid is very rare. Fully cleaned and ready to display.

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

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1890
Caliber: 7.92×57mm Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 49 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 5 round internal magazine