A companion for my 1890 Danzig GEW 88 waiting on a new barrel. This was on GB with no bidders, got it for the opening bid of $395. 1891 Loewe GEW 88 with the 1905 update. A mixmaster with a Turked bolt. Shoots just fine with PPU 8mm.

That looks like fun; shoot it offhand and slung?

quote:

Originally posted by RichardC:
That looks like fun; shoot it offhand and slung?

Bench rest.

I just bought two older rifles, an 1888 Springfield Trapdoor in 45-70. The other is a Swedish Mauser in 6.5, from the mid 19-teens or so.

Both are in good shape.

Your ‘88 Commission rifle has gone through a factory rework. This is a good thing. Shoots standard 8mm. It also has the blocks for a stripper clip, a receiver notch for the spire point bullets and a thumb notch for stripper clips. The filler plate on the bottom is dated 1914. Best guess? That was added too at the time of overhaul.
I am not sure what the Turkish bolt is about. Mine is the same. The story might go something like this - German arms manufacturers were making rifles for a number of countries before the Great War. They built to order. (IE - research Argentine Mausers). It is possible that Loewe was doing exactly that when a big push came for rifles NOW. Parts were on the shelf (some for Turkey). The logic went: If it fits and shoots? Assemble it and ship it.
They do shoot well. Aim low. Standard V sight is zeroed for 400 meters. Military theory at the time was that 400 meters was reasonable (assumption on my part). The reality of the trenches of WW1 was that a number of the guys faced the enemy at 50 yards (A Rifleman Goes to War, H.W. McBride).