GEWEHR MODEL 1888/05 COMMISSION RIFLE
German Gewehr Model 1888/05 bolt-action rifle, 28 3/4" barrel, 48 1/2" overall, chambered for 7.92x57mm Mauser. It is marked at the top of the receiver as being manufactured in Amberg in 1892, with the model name "Gew. 88" on the left-hand side of the receiver. The receiver also bears the serial number "1109". These rifles were originally designed to use a rounded bullet in a Mannlicher-style "en bloc" magazine. However, beginning in 1905, many were altered to use a pointed "spitzer" bullet and a standard Mauser stripper clip system with the addition of a magazine guide notch at the rear of the breech. Most of these refitted rifles, designated the "88/05", were given to the Ottoman Empire as military aid during World War I, where they saw much use. The examples retained by Germany were also issued during the war, mostly to rear-echelon troops, freeing up more modern rifles to be sent to the front. This example bears a crescent moon symbol above the manufacturer's cartouche on the receiver, and the original sight graduations have been ground down and replaced with Turkish graduations. The bolt, bolt handle, and safety lever all similarly bear small crescent moon stamps, with additional Turkish characters. The front barrel band bears a pre-refit German regimental marking, and the wood stock bears various stamps and cartouches, including two crown-shaped marks on the right side of the butt. A non-matching serial number appears on the underside of the magazine housing, as does a metal plate designed to seal the bottom of that housing. No upper handguard is fitted, and the barrel is protected by a steel sleeve. A leather sling is fitted, likely from its time in Turkish service or later. The bore is mostly bright, with minor pitting evident, but retaining strong rifling. The ladder aperture is missing from the rear sight, and the crevices are liberally caked with cosmoline or a similar preservative, else very good.