[massnee]

I bought out a firearms estate some time ago. In the lot I found a box of ammo 88 Mauser (pictured on left). However, I found another box that I am unable to identify. Can anyone help identify it?

http://www.thehathaways.org/88_2.JPG

http://www.thehathaways.org/88_1.JPG

http://www.thehathaways.org/88_3.JPG

http://www.thehathaways.org/88_4.JPG

http://www.thehathaways.org/88_5.JPG

[scout26]

I'll guess German of some type (based on the lettering). Looks like it was manufactured/packaged on 18 April 1900 (based on the CEF: 18.4. 00, looks a little to old to be 18 April 2000).

My old eyes can't make out the other markings to well.

I'm sure someone smarter, with better eyes will be along shortly with more/better info.

[massnee]

Here is a hi-res pic of the writing:

http://www.thehathaways.org/writing.JPG

[SDC]

It's definitely German, but I can't make out the characters very well; it follows the standard pattern for lot identification, identifying (l-r) the powder ("Pulver") lot, the bullet ("Geschoss") lot, and the primer ("Zundehutchen") lot that was used to assemble that ammunition.

[Harley Quinn]

This will help you:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_1888_Commission_Rifle

This stuff is corrosive and is in need of a bullet pull and check the diam. of it.

:)

[Vaarok]

German 8mm with a .318 bullet, on the mannlicher-clips for a Gew-88 Commission Rifle.

[Harley Quinn]

Here is something specific from the article (link) I posted you might not read or:uhoh:

********

At the time of adoption, the "Patronen 7.92x57mm" was loaded with a bullet that measured 0.3188" in diameter. In 1897, the German Army changed the specifications of the cartridge to use a bullet 0.321" in diameter and Gewehr 88 rifles made from that date on had .323 diameter bores. Any rifle rebarreled after that date got a .323 dia barrel. However, this is a misleading statement, as the tolerance on the barrels ranged from .318 to .325. The more important change was a wider chamber throat to take the thicker brass of the new cartridge. Rifles with this change have the receiver marked with a large "S". Gewehr 88/05 rifles were converted to use the Gewehr 98 type stripper clip by adding stripper clip guides to the top rear of the receiver and altering the magazine. The powder load used for the Gewehr 88 is also less than that of any other 8 mm Mauser rifle, as the makers of the Gewehr 88 did not understand the great power of smokeless powder compared to black powder. Shooters planning to use modern 8 mm Mauser ammunition should slug their bore as there are four different bore and groove combinations found on the Gewehr 88 rifle. 8mm ammunition designated for machine guns should NEVER be fired in a Commission Rifle.

******
:)

[massnee]

just for clairification...you believe the unopened box is also "88 Mauser"?

[Harley Quinn]

Now that is a tough one to call.

I figure, you feel not being opened makes it more valuable for collectors???

If that is not the reason then, open it and compare:uhoh: If it is the reason the writing needs to be able to be read and explained to you I guess.
You can go on the web and enter the writing and see what you can come up with.
I do that at times, a little detective work pays of...
:)

[massnee]

I am sure whatever the contents of the box are...they are valuable to someone in an unopened state. It just seems wrong to open a box of ammo that has been perfectly sealed for over 107 years...

[SDC]

Someone at the International Cartridge Collector's Association forum ( http://cartridgecollectors.org/forum/index.php ) can probably give you an idea of what an unopened box is currently going for.

[massnee]

thanks for recommending that site...I registered with them yesterday...waiting for my account to be approved...I will post what I discover...

[Jim K]

Please don't do something stupid like pulling down that ammo. It is quite valuable, and the clips alone are worth several dollars today. It is for the 1888 Commission Rifle (which was not a Mauser). The information about the bullet diameter and all that is true, but shooting the stuff would not be a good idea when it is more valuable as is.

I can't read any more than anyone else, except to note that the primer (zundhütchen or "zdh" was made in 1899), and the powder is flake rifle powder. I can't read the name of the manufacturing facility.

Jim

[massnee]

I can assure you that my hands will not open that box...

[Sodbuster]

It's possible that Marko Kloos at www.thefiringline.com may be able to help you.

[sleeperj21]

Do the bullets say 30-06 on the back? Looks like ww 2 ammo.

[massnee]

the cartridges in the open box of ammo are dated 1890...the sealed box is dated April 18th, 1900...

All my research up to this point points to both boxes being for the 1888 Commision Rifle.

[Harley Quinn]

All my research up to this point points to both boxes being for the 1888 Commision Rifle.

Well you have done your detecting so, you should feel pretty confident to state they are what you think they are.

Good luck:)

[massnee]

Well you have done your detecting so, you should feel pretty confident to state they are what you think they are.

Good luck

now I just need to figure out how much money I can get for them..:)

[TEDDY]

the clips sure are 88 commmision as I have the gun and clips.I always wonder about the cartridges as the gun being converted to "S" bullet and useing mauser stripper clips.the germans were not likly to have two cartriges different loaded.look at the carcanos converted to 8 X 57 in ww2.and the turks used 88 conversions.:confused: :uhoh: :rolleyes: :)