German Infanterie Gewehr. M1888/05 ……………(F 1090)
Created on March 28th 2023
Imperial German Commission 88
A rifle based upon the Mannlicher clip fed design with an out and out copy of the French rifling design. It is often said that Anything designed by a committee tends to be a disaster and so get bad press; this was no exception. However, for its time it could be regarded as the best of a bad bunch. The “Commission” was formed to counter as quickly as possible the introduction and threat posed by the French Lebel smokeless powder design. Consequently, it was in fact the first rifle built from scratch for the new propellant. However that does not excuse the short comings that very soon became apparent. There are some that in aesthetic terms, regard this as an attractive design, I do not. Combining pressed steel and timber was never going to work in my eyes, and the long trigger guard / magazine is too much for the proportions of the slimline stock. Stick an great big diameter barrel jacket over the full length of the barrel and in my humble opinion, you have totally disfigured it. Anyway, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and we all collect for slightly different reasons. I dare say that if we could sit around on wide pavements cafes’, in the sun, in Paris, we could occupy a whole day arguing over the merits of one or another – and quite a few bottles of Vino! Anyway, nobody ever judged a rifle in a beauty contest – its all down to what it is capable of and the Gew.88/05 was capable of remaining in frontline service until the end of the First World War.
Chambered in 8mm x 57 with, in this case, the Spitzer bullet, it was fed by a five-shot sprung clip which would drop out when expended. Straight arm bolt and split bridge action design. The rifle measures 49″ overall and has a 29.1/8″ long jacketed barrel. The trigger Pull is 13″ to centre. Bolt and receiver match. The stub of the bolt arm has the serial number “6873” stamped on the upper surface, and although worn is decipherable. The receiver itself carries many markings; “S / 6873 / royal cypher / DANZIG / 18_0″ and has the recess cut into the receiver lip to allow the spitzer clip to clear when clip loading. Three Imperial crowns are visible on the RHS of the receiver ring, and the number “847 / r.” Repeated on the LHS of the barrel jacket, behind the rear sights, is the serial number. The rear of the bolt has the number “42” on the flag safety, the top rib and the flat face at the rear of the bolt. The lock has twin locking lugs at the front and the bolt arm closes in front of the split action bridge. Flag safety to rear of bolt.
Other markings that elude to this Comm’ 88’s history are to be found on the single piece Walnut butt-stock. Originally it showed on the LHS butt stock face two large ownership / acceptance stamps and a smaller one. The at a later date (1905) when it was first converted for the Spitzer type bullet it picked up a third crowned “S” marking. The underside of the wrist shows more markings but they have unfortunately been damaged. Standard mounting point seen later on the G98 for rear sling swivel. Flat steel butt-plate with damage to timber around top tang of some age which does not effect effectiveness of fixing. Pressed steel cover added to base of magazine marked “J”. Stock has the large single cross bolt with Imperial markings on it.
The large barrel jacket – fitted to aid cooling is not in terrible condition. Although only a jacket they are often observed very damaged or worn and tend to detract heavily from the rifle; this one is not and is in quite good condition. Rear sights mounted on barrel jacket with open “v” aiming point. Flip-up ladder graduated from 600 to 2000 meters. Simple inverted “V” front sight. Half length cleaning rod stored under rifle. Bayonet lug on RHS of front barrel band with barrel jacket ending 1/2″ before muzzle to allow reduced diameter for bayonet fitting.
Mid barrel band is retained by a spring clip but also carries the original Imperial Army unit markings, however they have been struck out efficiently and are now impossible to read with the naked eye. This could be the Ersatz-Bataillon of the Grenadier-Regiment, a reserve regiment of the Grenadiers. This makes sense, in that the rifle was a second line weapon issued to a reserve battalion. Just as these Gentlemen above but these fellows have the rifle pre the 1905 alteration. Rifle bore is good for this vintage and the weapon has recently passed proof. Action fine.
What ever your modern day opinion of this rifle, it has seen a lot of history. It’s been there and and been through things that were so terrible we have long hoped we would never see. As to the design, hindsight is a wonderful thing, so it has its place in German rifle development, and there fore a rightful place in a German military rifle collection.
FAC required – Stock No’ F 1090
£ 725.
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