AUSTRIAN STEYR 1888/1890 RIFLE FIND (questions)

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An 88/90 found me this weekend. I bought on impulse knowing what it was but not much more. There seems to be relatively little information here and else were on the internet about these. Are they rare? Not much finish on the metal with some pitting but the bore looks clean with sharp rifling. Is there a source for safe modern ammo for the beast?

Photos to follow.

Information

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[Hcompton79]

Is it rare? It is significantly less common than M95 series rifles, but I can't say to how that translates into value.

The 1888/90 receiver is a holdover from the 1886 Mannlicher in terms of bolt design, and the wedge locking bolt is significantly weaker than the later rotating bolt head design in part because it was a black powder design.

The rifle should be chambered in 8x50r (the Austro-Hungarian cartridge is not interchangeable with the French 8x50r Lebel cartridge). There is no current commercial manufacturer for this cartridge, it would need to be loaded at home. 7.62x54r can be used as a parent cartridge. I would suggest caution in loading for this rifle given the bolt design.

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Thanks for the input. I would hate to get up in the morning knowing I was going to have to tote it all day. Quite heavy. Working on photos.

[Eaglelord17]

I have a Austrian made M90 (basically a 88/90 except it wasn't a 88 to begin with). Mine likely was supposed to be for Chile, but when their civil war happened likely went to a dealer who then sold it to Bulgaria. Personally it is one of my favourite rifles. The wedge lock might not be the strongest action it is for sure smooth.

Any properly made 8x50r cartridge would be safe for that rifle as 8x50r was purposely kept downgraded for usage in the 88 series. Its also why the later 8x56r was made the way it was to ensure it wasn't chambered in a 88 action. Things to be careful of is some of these rifles were converted to 8mm Mauser by some unscrupulous dealers post WWI to try and find buyers. They are not really safe to be shot with that cartridge in standard form. Personally I used some cut down 8x56r brass which I ran though a 8x50r die, but apparently 7.62x54r will work as well.

Really cool rifles, I hope you enjoy it.