Looking for a buttplate and mag for an 88 Gewehr

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kid_couteau

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Hi All

A friend of mine owns this gun

rifle2-750x566.jpg


I am told it is a Gewher (spelling?)

Looking for a buttplate and mag for it

Little help please
Kid
 
That is not a Gewehr, that's a Karabiner. It's far rarer and much more valuable short-rifle version of the Model of 1888 German Commission rifle.

It does not use a magazine, the cartridges are loaded into a clip like for an M-1, Steyr M-95 Mannlicher, or Carcano rifle, and when empty the cartridge clip frame falls out the hole.

Buttplates are cheap and common, lots of Gewehr 1888 rifles have been imported recently in such beat-up condition they're only worth picking apart for spares, so people have been winding up with tons of parts from them.
 
Hey, you're right! It's a carbine. It does have a magazine cover, stamped spring steel dilly that covers the bottom of the magazine and I'm assuming that's what you need? One from commission rifle should work fine. It covers the hole, keeps junk out. If you ain't using strippers (I've never seen a stripper clip for mine), the cover is a good thing.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/product.asp?chrProductSKU=4800
 
If the rifle has the stamped bottom cover, that means it's an upgraded 88/05 or 88/14 that was changed to load from stripper clips (charger guides were added in the 05 or 14 upgrade programs) instead of packet clips, and the magazine now works like a Mosin-Nagant.
 
OH, okay, well I learned something there. Yes, got mine in about 76 for $27.95 mail order and it was updated to the S bullet (.323 diameter) so it's the updated commission rifle and it does have the little guides for the stripper clips in the receiver. I've always just loaded one at a time. Fun shootin' turtles with it. :D
 
Don't shoot that thing with modern ammo! Slug the bore, make sure of the diameter. You may know this already, but it confuses folks. The original 88s were a round nose and .318" diameter, 8x57J. The updated Spitzer for the 98 is a .323" bullet and would be a problem in a .318" bore, let alone they're a little hotter and the 88's gas handling system isn't up to the 98 if a case blows, let alone any other damage.

I've fired mine with surplus, has a .323" bore barrel on it. But, I download handloads for it now if I feel like shooting it. It's been sitting for 25 years unfired, though. I keep it just because. It's a neat old gun and you ain't SEEEEEEN a smooth bolt throw even in modern high dollar hunting rifles compared to this thing. Open the bolt and slightly tilt the muzzle and it just slides open on its own, old world craftsmanship.
 
Same action as a Mauser-Verguiero and the Mannlicher-Schonauer. And to a collector, about as pricey. Kar88s that are legit start around $500.
 
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