School me on Gew 88

[IH424]

A local shop near me has 3 in right now, not getting much attention except from me when I go in. Are they safe to shoot with modern ammo? Are there any markings/features I should look for? I know at least 2 have Turkish markings. What kind of price are they going for? Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

[desdem12]

there are original and upgraded along with turked models. The originals wont have the charging clips added and the notch on the front of the receiver opening. The upgraded will have an S mark for s ammo and the notch and also the clips welded on, and also a magazine cover. The turks have 2 varieties. The ones with the barrel shroud and Turkish marks along with the germans, and the new barreled versions with the upgraded gew88 mag. Pictures would help in identifying them.

[TulaTom]

Slug the bore first before shooting one. Don't just assume it's safe because it's S marked. I shoot cast bullets in mine. I use modern commercial loads in later rifles. Gew98, k98, etc.

[Junk Yard Dog]

The original round was .318, the replacement .323, this was Germanys first smokeless powder rifle, and the worlds second after the French Lebel. The technology was experimental, the metallurgy not yet fully understood, do not push these rifles, light loads, cast bullets, this rifle is not a Mauser, it shares little with the Mauser design, it is not as strong as a mauser. The Turk versions come as original German rifles with barrel shrouds and Turk markings, or as just the actions that have been reworked into a sort of Mauser look alike rifle . The reworks use a barrel that is .323, with a barrel shroud you do not have a rework.

[IH424]

I will try to get some pics this weekend

[SA1911a1]

The only modification that my 1890 has is the "S" added. Everything else is as original, no Turkish markings, still has barrel shroud and open magazine and no stripper clip mod. I have thought about it, but I would probably have to start drinking again to get up the nerve to shoot it.

[IH424]

Promised pics

[ffuries]

Pictures 1 and 3 clearly show Turkish markings on the bolt assemblies.

[desdem12]

Turkish used m88/05. S marked barrels on both. One is an amberg and one a Spandau. I would throw 300 at the pair and see if it stuck (if the bores are good)

[Longcolt44]

Nice rifle, I have an 1891 LOEWE BERLIN GEW88 and had an 1897 SPANDAU. I traded the 1897 for a Finn M91.

[bunkysdad]

300 at the pair? Would you keep a straight face too? They'll bring 300 each these days.

[desdem12]

300 at the pair? Would you keep a straight face too? They'll bring 300 each these days.

You know me and ask that question? The turks are pretty cheap around these parts. Havent seen one over 200 yet.

[qz2026]

I think $300 for the pair is a reasonable offer and leaves negotiating room. As you said, they have been there a while. They are on the rough side and their ability to function is not known. As indicated before, you MUST slug the barrel before you even think about loading any kind of ammo for it. You could end up with non shooters and that's another reason why you shouldn't throwing down $300 a piece. I know... There is a very good chance that the middle section of your barrel will slug to about .318 and the muzzle and breach will be ok at .323. This is from nickel deposited in the bore from the early metal jackets. Of course, you barrels could slug fine too. They key is that you must slug the barrel.

[docbob]

I have a 1890 Spandau Turkey rework. It has an all matching Czech bolt, a great bore, cleaning rod, detachable rear sling swivel and is marked with S, Z and a dot. The left side of the receiver is stamped "new steel" in German. I only shoot cast bullet loads in it and it shoots fine. Factory ammo such as Federal, Remington or Winchester is loaded about like a .32 Special so is supposed to be safe in a good condition '88. I gave 125 for mine but value it at 300. Just my two cents worth.

Merry Christmas Everyone,

DocBob

[kjohn]

Being an old softie for milsurps, I would buy them. I scooped a gorgeous 1935 Turk a couple years back with a force matched M1903 bayonet (Spanish, originally). I gladly paid $500 shipped. It may find a new home, as a young fellow has a Remington barreled Israeli trainer that we are working on a deal for. The trainer will keep my FN Israeli trainer company. I have an old Turk 1888 that was one of my first few milsurps that I "collected".

The old one I have fired with some mild lead bullet loads.

[IH424]

Well, I received the Amberg for Christmas. Going to drop it off at a gunsmith for a going over.