Kar 88

[Donny B]

Thanks for the picture, it answered a few questions for me.

It's clear that I'm going to get a much broader education than I had ever anticipated when I bought this rifle. A new rifle to work with is fun enough, a history lesson to boot is a double bonus!

[dave]

5 Mad Farmers, to say that I'm computer ignorant is an understatement! It was a stretch for me to post the links for the pics.

This rifle didn't come with a clip. It seems as if the clip inserts from the bottom, and is then loaded from the top with some sort of speed loader. I've been able to find "stripper clips" but am not familiar with them, and not sure which ones I would need.

I can't say what happened to the stock, but yes it was cut down and reshaped for some reason.

Can you tell me anything about the markings on the receiver? I've been told that the S stamped on it indicates that it was re-barreled to the caliber of 8mm Mauser(.323 not .318) and the difference in the bluing between the barrel and the receiver seems to indicate that this is true, but I will be bringing to my gunsmith on Monday to have the barrel slugged to find out exactly what caliber it is. I haven't been able to find out what the other markings indicate yet.

I know these rifles were used by the Turkish Army as late as WWII, and they were also used in the Mexican Revolution. But the markings on this rifle appear to be oriental to me indicating that this rifle may have been sold to China, or Japan.

Any info you can tell me about the markings, or parts availability would be greatly appreciated.

The only thing "the difference in blueing between receiver and barrel" tells you is that the reciever has never been blued, they were originally "in the white"! And as far as having the barrel slugged I think you will find it is still .318. The barrels were not opened up or changed for the conversion, the throat of the chamber was relieved a few thou to allow expansion of the larger case neck. Otherwise the bullet would 'stick' and not release properly and raise pessures. The clips are typical Mannlicher system, they fall out the bottom when m/t. Some of these were converted to take single cart.'s by adding a gadget at the top that held them in the mag and a cover was snapped over the bottom of mag. thus stripper clips could be used. All those markings are nothing but inspection and proof marks. PS: That 'barrel' you are looking at is NOT the barrel but a cover over the barrel. It screws off of the receiver front. If you are going to shoot this rifle I would recommend you take this apart to inspect the barrel, it can be a rust bucket under there.

[Donny B]

5MadFarmers, I just thought I would stop in and thank you again for that tip on that book. It is a very interesting read.

[RCS]

Here is a photo of an early clip from my collection, the cartridges are headstamped U.M.C. 8 m/m

[5MadFarmers]

5MadFarmers, I just thought I would stop in and thank you again for that tip on that book. It is a very interesting read.

Glad it helped. Much ink has been spilled over the Commission rifles, most of it nonsense, that on that particular rifle it's best to just get that book.

Enjoy the rifle. They're under appreciated.

[Donny B]

I found 2 clips on ebay, they had 4 days left to bid on them. Then our hunting season started this past Saturday and I forgot about them, when I finally remembered them they were gone. Oh well, I won't need one for a year so I have some time to look.

[bruce]

First Mauser I ever owned was a full length 88 military rifle that was just beautiful. It was made by Ludwig Loewe. It was as pretty as a watch. I had no idea it needed clips. i just fired it one round at the time and had a blast. It shot right to the sights. Let it go when I had a chance to get a Rem. 03-A3. Oh the things we do when we are young and dumb!