Gew88 1889 Spandau- Chromed!

Here folks, is an interesting treat.
I have posted this on other forums, but decided to post here too!

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Gew88003-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Gew88002-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Gew88004-1.jpg

The barrel, shroud and receiver are match. :thup: Bolt trigger guard are not!:thdown:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Gew88001-1.jpg

It appears that it was slathered in white paint on all the wood at one time. There is a question on how "original" this is...

The assumption is that this is from the South American hoard. The chrome/ nickle finish would seem to indicate that it was part of the Presidential Honor Guard of that country. However, some have suggested that this was a VFW type rifle. Truly some of you folk may recall when these Chrome/ Nickel guns were on sale from a major importer.

Anywho.... the white paint actually saved some cartouches:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hrome001-1.jpg

What is interesting is that the chrome also saved the barrel shroud, and many of the parts...
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hrome017-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hrome006-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hrome007-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hrome008-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hrome005-1.jpg

What is interesting is that the rifle has two holes drilled in the stock:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Gew88005-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Gew88006-1.jpg

So there are several questions to ponder....
To restore... or not.... or if... how far!
Take a good look at the year, and you will note that it is an early rifle. Is it worth more as a Presidential Guard rifle, or a REAL German rifle...

Midmichigun, IMHO --I wouldn't be afraid to do some level of restoration on this piece. Bare minimum would be to refinish the stock and clean up the chrome somewhat and just make it presentable. It would take a lot of time to go beyond this level (say to strip and rust blue all the metal) and I'm not sure the value of the rifle would warrant such an effort. But if you have the time I wouldn't think it sacriligious. The original finish is long gone and is way beyond what you could call a fine "patina" so I wouldn't worry about destroying that. The main priority though should be to retain all markings and cartouches at all cost. Now if someone comes up with a picture or documentation of the rifle being presented to the El Presidente then you will have to reconsider the whole plan! Salt Flat

I suggest you go here:

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....entino+rolling

and start reading. The series includes everything you need to know to turn that rifle into a showpiece again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Salt Flat

The main priority though should be to retain all markings and cartouches at all cost.

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Which means that you must ignore all the brutal methods that I have seen elsewhere, such as coating the stock with oven cleaner, putting it in the washing machine, then out in the sun to dry etc. This work requires a bit of time and a bit of caution, but the results speak for themselves - here is an example of an '88 carbine stock before:

Attachment 38884

and after:

Attachment 38885

Q.E.D.

P.S. to moderators: should this thread be transferred to the Restorer's Forum?

---------- Post added at 11:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 AM ----------

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Midmichigun

It appears that it was slathered in white paint on all the wood at one time. There is a question on how "original" this is...

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Not in the slightest. The white paint was applied on top of a lot of dings. Ergo done for El Bubba, not El Presidente!

PC,
I agree about moving me around to another place, if I don't fit here! I popped it here... and thought... oops! :confused: Please accept my apology. ;)

I believe there are several photos floating on the 'net, of a purported guard, in a SA country, who appears to have a Gew88 that is Chrome/ Nickel finish. BUT the stock is "natural". Hence the thought process on cleaning off the paint residue.:thup: But then again, you don't see many 1889 Spandau's in chrome!:move eek:

I actually was going to pass on this rifle. I don't really like rescue of Bubba's handywork. But the seller threw this one in, on top of another SA Gew88 (sorta like a 2 for one deal).

I can't say that "money is no object", but I am also willing to try and restore a rifle knowing that generally a lot of the rust buckets I get, lack collector value.

More photos:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2/1gr797-1.jpg
I can't quite make this out, but this SHOULD be the last German unit that this rifle MAY have served with. Looking through the chrome and stuff however, I faintly see a "4" which doesn't match the rifle SN, IMHO.

Where the paint is located...
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hrome021-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hrome019-1.jpg
Note that I haven't touched this rifle, except to pick it up. The last owner started stripping it down. I do need to start treatment with BLO, since if feels dry. In one photo you can see cracking in the "normal areas" for the Gew88.

It does retain the rear sight completely, which I have found to be an oddity. Most are missing part of this sight.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hrome023-1.jpg

Sorry for some of the poor photos! It isn't easy taking photos on chrome.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Gew88010-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Gew88009-1.jpg

Thats all for now folks. Additional comments are always welcome!:cool:

I do believe this is a first year rifle, as Spandau started making the Gew8 in 1889. Correct me if I am wrong!:help:

i have restored a couple rifles chromed like that, cost a little more, but they do come around.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Midmichigun

I can't quite make this out, but this SHOULD be the last German unit that this rifle MAY have served with.

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Try getting another photo - but in focus! Back off a bit with the camera - smaller and sharper is better than large and fuzzy. If you can get a clear pic I can probably identify the regiment/unit. At the moment I am guessing I?R.7.97.

The 7.97 is clear enough. Take the next photo a little further to the left, to get the ??R clearer.

Is it a matching rifle throughout? If so, that might make it a worthwhile venture.