M1888-95 Mannlicher

[Aragorn243]

It arrived, over an hour late, in a busted box.

I can't say I'm pleased with this one, but it isn't a complete disaster. It has the rear sight slide where they stated most were missing. It is missing the safety lever, but the screw is present. The firing pin is clipped, That I'm most disappointed with. The exterior on this one is the worst I've gotten from them. quite a bit of pitting on the barrel, the bands are rusted pretty bad. The bore has strong rifling but is pitted particularly towards the muzzle. The stock actually looks pretty decent and has no cracks and is cleaner than most.

The good news is, I purchased an 1888-90 a couple years ago and bought some spare parts I ended up not needing as mine had what most didn't. This included the safety lever and the middle barrel band. These parts appear to be non-existent now.

It came apart easily enough, no screws were rusted solid. I've started sanding the barrel down, not worried about the finish, the finish is pure rust. This one's going to take some time.

[browningautorifle]

Wow, at least you won't damage the fine polish and blue. No one will accuse you of disturbing the patina.

[Aragorn243]

LOL, the last one I got actually looked like this also. But it was yak grease and dirt. This is rust. I normally like to minimalize but this one I think I'll polish the pitting out and cold blue it, the barrel anyway, everything else I'll probably leave alone. The new middle band has no rust and some original finish left. Front band I'll probably cleanup to match the barrel.

I have the replacement safety fitted. Works like a charm.

[72 usmc]

[Aragorn243]

Numrich actually had a firing pin so that's taken care of. Everything else I could have used is gone. Good thing I had the spares.

[42rocker]

Enjoy the project.
Thanks for sharing.

Later 42rocker

[Aragorn243]

Bulk rust is off the barrel. It looks better already. Barrel is not shot out. Bullet stops right around where the curvature ends. These bullets have a pretty dramatic curve to them. I was a little concerned about the muzzle as the rifling visually looks thin. Started cleaning the stock, that at least will probably be done sometime today. Metal will take a while.

I found an interesting stamp on the barrel just in front of the rear sight. Looks similar to an Imperial German mark. I don't believe I've seen similar ones on Austrian guns before. It's still not quite clear but it's also larger than I'm used to seeing. This barrel was replaced when they converted it to an 88-95. There are tool marks on the shank.

Rear sight slide has a minor problem. The little "point" which locks it into place is worn off. I'll have to see if my son in law can put a little weld bead on it that I can shape down. Otherwise, it won't stay up and I'll have trouble shooting it at 2000 meters. LOL.

[Low & Slow]

A project, for sure. Looking forward to see the results.

[Aragorn243]

Stock is cleaned with one coat of BLO on it. When it was new, this was probably a really sharp looking rifle. Faint tiger striping on the right side. Left side not so much but still there in places. I did minimal sanding, just hit some of the rough spots where the grain was dug up or there was cross grain marks. So the dents and larger scratches remain. Can't possibly make it look like new so not going to make it look weird by trying.

Front and middle band are cleaned of rust. Hit the barrel a little more but it still has a ways to go.

[Sapper740]

Keep us informed of your progress with lots of pictures please.