This old rifle!

[Scumpup]

If there is a little catch on the underside of the forearm that you can flip to remove it, you have a takedown model. After the forearm is removed, the barrel unscrews from the receiver.

[Norse]

@Tranquilis

So, just have to ‘glee’ about something I’ve managed - I just recieved an antique rifle - 127 years old - in REALLY great shape. It’s a shooter,***** but I paid ‘wall-hanger’ prices for it. (It’s been in the works for a bit now - ground shipping can be slow)

Gewehr '88 “Commission” rifle, 1890 date of manufacture, Austrian Army issue.

[…]
*****Bearing in mind its age, it WILL be checked carefully, FIRST!

Be very, VERY careful about the ammo you feed it. The original Gewehr 88 was chambered in 8x57I, which uses a 8.08mm/.318" bullet. Most current 8x57 ammo is 8x57IS (“S” - “Spitzer”) which uses a 8.2mm/.323" bullet. If you feed a gun chambered for 8x57I with 8x57IS ammo, you might well be in for a rather nasty surprise and need to have your health insurance up-to-date.

If I were you’ I’d have a competent gunsmith check the barrel to make sure which cartridge the gun should have before you take it to the range.

[Tranquilis]

@bump

I’d make sure and slug the bore; those 1880s/1890s Mausers came in multiple variants of “8mm”, and beyond that, you’ll probably need to use the cooler M88 style ammo, not the spitzer bullet 1905 style rounds that most 8mm Mausers fire.

Yup. That’s part of the ‘checked carefully’ bit. Is it Patrone '88, or S Patrone…? Some rifles were converted by simply lengthening the leade / throat to allow bullets to swage down, some were rebarreled entirely, and some remained stock. I strongly suspect Patrone '88. But the gunsmith will tell me.

[Tranquilis]

@Gatopescado

I’m getting into “shedding” lately. Too much stuff, and nobody to love it.

Happens. Tastes change, lives change, the old falls away - until someone else discoveres it anew.

[romansperson]

@Scumpup

Ah…i see your pics can be zoomed. The aftermarket sight is a Redfield, not a Lyman.

Thanks, and yes - the sigh is the only thing with an actual name stamped on it.

With your info, I found a database online that is telling me that rifle was manufactured in 1909.

[Tranquilis]

@romansperson

Thanks, and yes - the sigh is the only thing with an actual name stamped on it.

With your info, I found a database online that is telling me that rifle was manufactured in 1909.

Official antique!

[lisiate]

Here’s the always excellent Othais from C&Rsenal video on your rifle.

[Tranquilis]

@lisiate

Here’s the always excellent Othais from C&Rsenal video on your rifle.

I’m always entertained that his wife does the test shooting. A nice change from the usual macho posturing.

[Scumpup]

The Savage Model 99 is my all time favorite rifle. I have a .300 Savage example from the 1950s that was a gift from my father.

[lisiate]

@Tranquilis

I’m always entertained that his wife does the test shooting. A nice change from the usual macho posturing.

That is very cool, as well as the fact that she always seems to be having such fun doing it.

I think in one of the earlier shows they pointed out that Mae is closer in size to the average World War One Poilu/Tommy/Mehmitcik than Othais is as well. So we get a better sense of just how unwieldy some of those rifles really were.

[romansperson]

@Scumpup

The Savage Model 99 is my all time favorite rifle. I have a .300 Savage example from the 1950s that was a gift from my father.

My grandfather was born in 1901, so the one I have must have either been a gift to him, or he bought it used someplace.