European GEWEHR 88 B.Blindee Marked 8mm COMMISSION Short Rifle C&R MILITARY BELGIAN PROOFED Model 1888 INFANTRY RIFLE

Product Description

European GEWEHR 88 B.Blindee Marked 8mm COMMISSION Short Rifle C&R MILITARY

BELGIAN PROOFED Model 1888 INFANTRY RIFLE

Here we present an antique European Gewehr 88 Pattern Short Rifle, also referred to as the Model 1888 Commission Rifle, made circa the turn of the century likely in mainland Europe. The Gewehr 88 was a late 19th-century German bolt action rifle, adopted in 1888. The invention of smokeless powder in the late 19th century immediately rendered all of the large-bore black powder rifles then in use obsolete. To keep pace with the French, who had adopted smokeless powder “small bore” ammunition for their Lebel Model 1886 rifle, the Germans adopted the Gewehr 88 using its own new M/88 cartridge, which was also designed by the German Rifle Commission.

“B. Blindee” is a Belgian proofmark used by the Liege Proof House to indicate obligatory definitive barrel proofing for rifled shoulder arms. This proof test consists of the firing of a 30% excess pressure cartridge, followed by two standard commercial or service cartridges. It is used in combination with the Liege “perron” marks and the mark of the proof tester, or “controller”.

The rifle was one of many weapons in the arms race between the Germanic states and France, and with Europe in general. There were also two carbine versions, the Karabiner 88 for mounted troops and the Gewehr 91 for artillery. Later models provided for loading with stripper clips and went on to serve in World War I to a limited degree. Unlike many German service rifles before and after, it was not developed by Mauser, but rather the arms commission, and Mauser was one of the few major arms manufacturers in Germany that did not produce Gewehr 88s.

The overall condition is good. Original finish. Robust action. The bore is semi-bright. Solid stock with average wear. Markings are legible.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 23-1/2 inches.

Caliber: 8mm

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$1800
#230189