Flea Market Find: Matched 1892 Spandau Gew88/05

Well, I can't claim credit for the find as it was located by a K89k forum member in Ohio back in October. I can claim credit for getting it at his cost, however, so it's almost the same. He decided it didn't fit into his collection after all.

All matched S upgrade Gew88/05 with closed magazine, but unmodified for stripper clips and with an un-notched receiver. I realized this one still needed the original en-bloc clip but the en-bloc wouldn't seat with the cover on the magazine. It popped of easily and works as designed. So why the cover? Keep dirt out when not in use? Bore is great. Stock looks like someone used it in a paint-gun battle. I'll have to gently clean it off. Original sling. The bad: missing the rear sight slide (found one, but need another one) and the bolt head is missing and the firing pin is clipped. I found a sporterized Turk bolt on the cheap to get the donor parts to complete the bolt.

Rifle is German unit marked from WWI: K.F.R.7.162; the Kaiser Franz Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr.2, waffe #162.

Thanks for the look,

T

Turns out I have a Gew88S; a war-time conversion of a Gew88 to a top-eject style using the new 7.92x57 S round. It is marked Crown over S as such on the right butt stock.

http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/...GUNS/GUNS0614/

P52-54.

The magazine cover was on backwards; I flipped it and it works as it should. Got the paint off and cleaned it up.

T

Looks great. Excellent find. I've really gotten into these rifles lately, lots of history with them.

Morning pics and hidden numbers.

T

Nice looking addition, should be a fun shooter once you get it completed!

Range report: Sunny, windy, swinging target, 100 yards, new box of PPU 198gr FMJ boat-tail. Rifle functioned flawlessly save someone modified the sear to single state, and I hate single stage triggers. Action is more reliable with the en-bloc as my 88/05 Loewe sometimes misfeeds or ejects one or several rounds straight up - probably a weak retention spring. I borrowed the Loewe bolt for the shoot; head space was good and off we went. Two distinct groups depending where the moving target was when I fired; shot high at when aiming 1/3 of the paper below center and on target 1/2 below center. Same pattern as the Loewe.

T

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...dc952bc3-1.jpg

Dang, wish I went to flea markets like that.

I seldom get a good go like that either...

Got the Turk bolt today. Nobody wanted it on eBay as the bolt handle had been bent and swept. The bolt head, extractor, ejector, and firing pin are worth more on GB than I paid for the whole bolt ($120).

Swapped in the donor parts ans all works as it should. There was a moderate amount of cosmoline inside the bolt head and body. The patina is the same and Turk marks on the head ride the left inside rail and are invisible. Added bonus: with the original bolt in the Spandau, it is double action again - must have been the other bolt. The bolt passed the head space test so we're ready to rock!

T

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9861aa98-1.jpg