G01254 DEACTIVATED 88/05 RIFLE. (Infanteriegewehr 88) 

An Infantry rifle designed by the Rifle Testing Commission in Spandau, approved in 1888 and produced in 1891, and later adapted for the "S" (for "Spitz," or, Pointed) ammunition by introducing a new barrel with deeper riflings and a wider chamber. The 48 3/4" long rifle has a metal butt plate to the end of its hardwood stock, upon which is stamped "10," "LTFX," "D," and an inspection stamp in the form of a crowned "W." Larger, though less discernable, inspection stamps may be seen impressed to the right side of the butt itself. A doubly-screwed plate is to the underside of the butt, for the rear sling loop (although the actual loop is presently absent), which has a partial inspection stamp to one of its screws. The rifle’s bolt action and leaf safety was based on the Mauser system, and its five round internal box magazine was directly copied from the Mannlicher system. Stamped to the end of the bolt assembly is "33" followed by a star and crescent moon. This exact stamp may also be seen to the upper surface of the leaf safety, to the top of the bolt assembly, and, without the "33," to the ball tip of the bolt handle. To the base of the bolt handle is stamped "7" over "338." The bolt assembly, as part of its deactivation, is presently seized. This rifle is distinguished as being a "05" modification by the machined lips to the front of the rear section of the receiver, for use with a charger clip, and the small cut-out to the end of the forward section of the receiver, which accommodated the pointed bullets. Furthermore, a semi-circular cut-out is to the left wall of the receiver, which acted as a "thumb slit" for pushing the cartridges into the magazine. Stamped to the left machined lip is what appears to be an "1888" date. Stamped to the deliberately fused (as a result of its deactivation) bolt release mechanism beneath the aforementioned lip is another inspection stamp. Stamped forward of the "thumb slit" is, in Gothic script, "Gew. 88." ("Gewehr," or, Rifle [18]88), and an "X" is stamped beyond that. Prominently stamped to the forward section of the receiver is an "S" (identifying the rifle as having been adapted for the new ammunition), above a crown over "Spandau," with "1891" beneath. Also stamped to this section are four inspection stamps, each in the form of a crown over a different letter, and "2245" with a stylized "c" beneath. A circular washer is to each side of the stock beneath the receiver, with a crowned "W" inspection mark stamped to the left washer. The trigger, which still functions, has a guard which merges into the box magazine. An inverted "Y" is stamped to the upper rear right of the trigger guard, "62" with an inspection stamp is to its rear securing screw, and "39" with an inspection stamp is to its forward screw. Another inspection stamp is to the plate above the rear screw, and two more are beneath the forward screw. Also stamped beneath the forward screw is "7621" above an "X." A clipped-on, removable, sheet metal magazine lid is to the base of the box magazine, upon which is stamped a monogram with "1914" beneath it, and yet another inspection stamp may be seen beyond this lid. Where the barrel meets the receiver is an indeterminate stamp, and "4941" over an "m." Forward of that, to the top of the barrel, is a standing sight, whose leaf is adjusted by means of a locking spring, and whose frame is graded from 250 to 2050 meters. Several inspection marks, letter and number codes are stamped to the sight and its base. The barrel band with the forward sling loop to its underside has an inspection mark to that loop, "41" to the left side of the band, and "X"ed-out reserve regiment markings to its right side. A channel is cut into the underside of the stock from this band to the foremost band, into which is screwed its original, 16 1/4" long rifle cleaning rod. An inspection stamp is to the head of this rod. The forward band has a screw to its right, with an inspection mark to it and alongside it, and a bayonet lug above that. As the outside barrel dimensions were the same as that of both the M 71 and M 71/84 rifles, the bayonets used with those earlier models were also usable with this one. Stamped to the left side of the forward band is "72" alongside "82.R.7.161" (indicating its usage by the 82nd Regiment, 7th Company, with "161" being the individual weapon number). Its forward sight, to the top and end of the barrel, has a crescent moon stamped to one side of it. The crescent moons may indicate that the rifle was later used by the Turks, as most of the 88 rifles were sent to these allies of the Germans in 1918. The end of the barrel, as part of its deactivation, has been conspicuously filled. The butt plate, bolt assembly, receiver, and cleaning rod are all in bright metal, whereas the remainder of the metal components have been blued. The bluing to the box magazine has taken on a reddish hue, although it is otherwise almost fully retained, as is the bluing to the barrel, barrel bands, and sling loop mounts. The bluing to the sight and bayonet lug is noticeably worn. The wooden stock has darkened with age, and exhibits, typically, numerous surface scratches.

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