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Posted: 11/17/2020 1:47:20 PM EDT
Just noticed the huge new shipment of cheap Chinese 1888 rifle copies, and thought I’d start a thread in case any of you buy these and shoot them.
Take a look at the original:  History of WWI Primer 017: German Gewehr 1888 "Commission Rifle" Documentary |
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Posted: 11/17/2020 2:08:04 PM EDT
[#1]
I have a non Turked Spandau Commission rifle and I order 3 of the Century beaters, 2 of the nicer and one of the lesser in the hopes of getting a nice one to display with the Commission rifle.
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Posted: 11/17/2020 2:34:00 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have a non Turked Spandau Commission rifle and I order 3 of the Century beaters, 2 of the nicer and one of the lesser in the hopes of getting a nice one to display with the Commission rifle. Nice collection you’ve started! Have you or,Do you plan to fire them? |
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Posted: 11/17/2020 2:42:08 PM EDT
[#3]
No they are just for looks, I have several from this time frame that I dont shoot. I had ammo for them but sold it all a while back.
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Posted: 11/18/2020 7:51:39 AM EDT
[#4]
In the big WWII photo thread in GD, this photo of 1888s in the hands of Volkstrum recruits just popped up:
 But it was long obsolete by then. It was cutting edge for a short time after it was adopted: 
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Posted: 11/18/2020 10:09:29 AM EDT
[#5]
I have one from a recent estate that is up in the EE.
I found the regimental markings and the later loan to Turkey markings really an interesting timeline of history:  Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Posted: 11/18/2020 10:23:26 AM EDT
[#6]
I have one of the later reworked ones.
Turk bolt czech barrel. No clip needed. With a lighter handload and speer bullet the damned thing shot 3 in an inch. I don't normaly shoot well anymore with open sites. It outshoots my other 8mm rifles hands down. Now Ima have to go dig it out and look it over.  
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Posted: 11/18/2020 12:30:42 PM EDT
[#7]
I've owned a few and with the right handloads they shoot really well. Almost Krag like smoothness. I wouldn't feel undergunned if issued one even in WW1.
From my experience they don't shoot 150-170 .323 or .321 bullets worth a shat. 200-220 long bearing surface .318 Norma or Woodleigh bullets shoot very nice. I wouldn't shoot a Chinese m88 they are usually thrashed beyond junk. |
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Posted: 11/18/2020 1:34:26 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have one of the later reworked ones. Turk bolt czech barrel. No clip needed. With a lighter handload and speer bullet the damned thing shot 3 in an inch. I don't normaly shoot well anymore with open sites. It outshoots my other 8mm rifles hands down. Now Ima have to go dig it out and look it over. In the video I posted, Othias mentions the barrel jacked; he indicates the barrel is “essentially free floated” (not entirely correct, but I get his inference). I wonder if that aspect of the gun’s design results in better accuracy? |
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Posted: 11/18/2020 1:35:37 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I've owned a few and with the right handloads they shoot really well. Almost Krag like smoothness. I wouldn't feel undergunned if issued one even in WW1. From my experience they don't shoot 150-170 .323 or .321 bullets worth a shat. 200-220 long bearing surface .318 Norma or Woodleigh bullets shoot very nice. I wouldn't shoot a Chinese m88 they are usually thrashed beyond junk. The photos of the latest batch of Chinese guns seemed to show they are in exceptionally rough condition. Nevertheless, I started this thread in the hope that some of you men post photos of these interesting guns (either German or Chinese). Fascinating pieces of history in my book. 
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Posted: 11/18/2020 1:56:55 PM EDT
[#10]
I have one buried in one of my Safes with Turkish Markings.
It was originally issued to the Guttenberg Regiment. I need to sale it. |
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Posted: 11/18/2020 4:01:39 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have one buried in one of my Safes with Turkish Markings. It was originally issued to the Guttenberg Regiment. I need to sale it. If you decide to shoot it one last time before it’s gone, a range-report would be super cool!
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Posted: 11/18/2020 10:57:54 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: In the big WWII photo thread in GD, this photo of 1888s in the hands of Volkstrum recruits just popped up: https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/Q-Volks-2.jpg But it was long obsolete by then. It was cutting edge for a short time after it was adopted: https://64.media.tumblr.com/cc806f21dce0947afe6c4476245d7455/tumblr_ottz4fnOav1rwjpnyo4_250.jpg I think that top photo is a Steyr 1888/90. Austrian straight pull from before WWI |
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Posted: 11/18/2020 11:06:53 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I think that top photo is a Steyr 1888/90. Austrian straight pull from before WWI Could well be! I borrowed it from the big WW2 thread in GD, and it was ID’d as an 1888 there.Looking more closely, the bolt handle looks like it’s in the wrong place for a Commission rifle, and the barrel jacket isn’t apparent. |
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Posted: 11/18/2020 11:13:15 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Could well be! I borrowed it from the big WW2 thread in GD, and it was ID'd as an 1888 there.Looking more closely, the bolt handle looks like it's in the wrong place for a Commission rifle, and the barrel jacket isn't apparent. Just from a different country.
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Posted: 11/24/2020 11:40:40 PM EDT
[#15]
Did Century take down the listing on their website? Is there another place to look at these?
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Posted: 11/25/2020 5:02:50 PM EDT
[#16]
I have a german one (non-turk) thats an /05 conversion. Bore is rough and I think the muzzle is washed out. Been contemplating getting a new barrel for it...but so many projects..so little time.
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Posted: 11/26/2020 12:00:11 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Did Century take down the listing on their website? Is there another place to look at these? Yes. They are gone. I saw another thread about them. I went to order one for $129.99 delivered. It was in the cart. I checked out and the order cancelled |
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Posted: 11/27/2020 1:10:07 PM EDT
[#18]
My China Mauser's are supposed to be here today sometime
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Posted: 11/27/2020 3:50:10 PM EDT
[#19]
I should be able to get one good display piece from these 3. Interesting that there a remnants of a US sling on one .
 Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Posted: 11/28/2020 1:40:48 AM EDT
[#20]
Got mine in today. Pretty sure the barrel is bent. The good news is that I cannot find anything missing other than the cleaning rod. Anyone have a clue how to date one of these?
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Posted: 11/29/2020 3:58:38 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Anyone have a clue how to date one of these? The Hanyang arsenal was evacuated west to Hunan province in 1938 to stay ahead of the Japanese military. If I remember right, shortly afterward the arsenal mark changed. You will likely see a Buddhist "swastika" symbol, a 5 point star or a rounded 7 point star with a dot in the middle. It would not be surprising to see a mix of old and new parts. Check the safety flag and magazine follower arm. If there is a date code on the receiver, subtract 11 to get year of manufacture. They were dated from the founding of the Republic of China (1911). It's possible you got a rifle made before then in which case I have no idea what markings it would have. Please post pictures if you can. |
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Posted: 12/2/2020 10:25:37 AM EDT
[#22]
Well hot damn. I just got an email confirmation from Century the rifle is ready to ship. I thought they over sold and I missed out.
I ordered another on the same day. I hope is shows up and can put together a complete rifle. I looked up some really reduced loads on Cast Boolits so I can shoot them. We are talking 8mm rounds at 1000 fps slow |
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Posted: 12/3/2020 7:36:41 PM EDT
[#23]
Got it. It is complete minus the bolt. Completely rusted but is all surface rust. There is a hint of rifling
I think it is good enough to shoot with power puff loads if I can find a bolt It is in the garage soaking in Dollar Tree brand WD40 Hooray. I found the boat in the driveway. The packing job century did was one where the barrel stuck out the end of the box and apparently the bolt fell out through it |
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Posted: 12/16/2020 11:32:32 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Got it. It is complete minus the bolt. Completely rusted but is all surface rust. There is a hint of rifling I think it is good enough to shoot with power puff loads if I can find a bolt It is in the garage soaking in Dollar Tree brand WD40 Hooray. I found the boat in the driveway. The packing job century did was one where the barrel stuck out the end of the box and apparently the bolt fell out through it You are a lucky man to find the bolt like that! Sounds like Century did a terrible packing job here. Once it’s out of the “soak” could you post a photo or two? |
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Posted: 12/17/2020 12:55:28 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Well hot damn. I just got an email confirmation from Century the rifle is ready to ship. I thought they over sold and I missed out. I ordered another on the same day. I hope is shows up and can put together a complete rifle. I looked up some really reduced loads on Cast Boolits so I can shoot them. We are talking 8mm rounds at 1000 fps slow |
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Posted: 12/20/2020 8:09:37 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Has anyone confirmed if these are .318 or .323 bore? The bore on mine was shot out. I could barely see any rifling in it. The muzzle was worn out. I dropped a 323 bullet and it went in about an inch I would count on them being 318. There was no way to measure the bore properly |
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Posted: 1/5/2021 3:14:58 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The bore on mine was shot out. I could barely see any rifling in it. The muzzle was worn out. I dropped a 323 bullet and it went in about an inch I would count on them being 318. There was no way to measure the bore properly Thanks for the update! Anyone lucky enough to get one with a non-ruined bore? |
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