Original German Pre-WWI Gewehr 88/05 S Commission Rifle by Ludwig Loewe Serial 6509 g – Dated 1891 Original Items

Original Item: Only one Available. This is a very nice 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 overall worn exterior condition of the gun. It definitely looks to have been reconditioned at arsenal, where parts were often replaced with those from other rifles, which in this case was the bolt. It also does not have any export markings from Turkey or other countries, so this was never shipped off as WWI aid. We very rarely see these rifles in this configuration!

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 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 particular rifle 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. It also has the tell tale “notch” cut into the rear of the receiver, as the loaded clip would run into this area.

The right side of the receiver is marked Gew. 88 in German blackface type and also has serial number 6509 / g on the barrel, receiver, and the magazine housing. The barrel bands and some of the screws are marked with shortened number 09, while the bolt is non-matching, and marked 2631 / p. This is typical for an arsenal refurbished rifle, and swapping a bolt takes only seconds. Over the chamber it is clearly marked LOEWE BERLIN. / 1891., for manufacture by Ludwig Loewe of Berlin. There are NO Turkish markings on this rifle, which is definitely a rarity. Virtually all of the 98/05 S converted rifles we have seen were sent to the Ottoman Empire as War Aid during the first world war.

The upper barrel band is marked with German regimental designation of 34. R. 8. 45., which has the stylized “R” for a Reserve unit, but it is possible that it is for the 34th (Pomeranian) Fusiliers “Queen Victoria of Sweden” Regiment. Definitely some nice research potential here!

Rifle is in very good used condition, with a lovely polished gray matte patina over all of the metalwork, and a lovely worn look to the stock. It does not however appear to have been sanded down or reconditioned, so the original cartouches are still visible in many areas. The metalwork still shows that the barrel jacket was blued, while the receiver was originally bright steel, though both now have a worn patina with staining.

There is some light wear on the bolt bearing surfaces, and some areas of light oxidation staining on the bright bolt, especially on the handle. The bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is just a bit of wear and light overall oxidation haze. The bolt extractor, which is easily lost during cleaning, is still present, as is the rare double slot cleaning rod. The rifle cycles correctly, and has an intact firing pin.

An absolutely genuine GERMAN M-1888 Service Rifle, updated for service during WWI! We very seldom see one upgraded to the 88/05 S standard that was NOT sent to Turkey during or before World War One. A rare example well worth further research!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1891
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

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