The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Found a stray homless 1890 Danzig Gew 88 at the local gun show today, that followed me home. Has been through Turkey, as evident by the half moon on the receiver, that is the only one I found on the rifle. There are several numbers on this thing, barrel, receiver so which number would I use/list as the serial number of the rifle? Also how do I determine what type of bayonet it takes? Now for the markings question on the barrel bands, I think I have figured them out for the most part, but there is one I can't figure out.

Front barrel band:

16.(cursive) R.4.142 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Company, weapon 142 (All X'ed out)
F.E.B.K.1. Can't figure this one out

Rear barrel band:

11.(cursive) R.R.9.149 11th Reserve Infantry Regiment, 9th Company, weapon 149 (All X'ed out)

If it has a import reciever number that is the one you use for the book. If not use the shank number. Where is this rifle????????????? I see no pics

P.S. Nice find. I love my Gew 88 alot. What did ya give for it? Remember not to use surplus ammo in it.

Near as i can tell they used the mauser M71 or M71/84 bayonet for these. Followed by the ersatz bayos 88-98. According to what i am reading they used what ever fit which was a lot of them.

Were are the pics? There should be a serial number on the barrel shroud, the barrel itself, and the receiver, all on the left side near the wood line. Bolt should be serialized as well. PICS???????

Back in 1979 Century sold these for $29 and could be shipped to your door. I bought two and gave one away.

They were selling them in 1999 also, but for $45 or so.

Sorry for the delay in pictures, there was a family emergency. Ok now for the pictures and questions. Haven't taken it apart yet, but I can not find any import markings anywhere as of yet, unless it's under the wood.

Added: Also the rear sight has been remarked with Turkish Script. So the sight, and the half moon on the reciever are the only Turkish markings I am finding. There is a SN on the barrel, then a different one on the receiver, both on the left side just above the wood-line. Oh and picked it up for $200.00 out the door.

These are some of the best looking oldies around!!! Your wood looks like mine with a dark reddish hew to it. I haven't seen the Z mark like that before but i have read what it means somewhere, but forgot of course. I am having trouble with the front barrel band screw on mine so i will suggest to start soaking that one before you try to take it down. Can't tell by the pictures but it looks like it has the 05 conversion or maybe the 1913 one.

05 conversion the notch on the left side of the receiver and the notch on the top of the receiver, and the plate put over the botton of the magazine well? If so then yes it does have the 05 conversion.

Yes the welded clip holderes on top of the reciever and the magazine cover. There are 2 different versions with the 05 ones being the better of the 2. The cutouot on the left side i am not sure of as mine does not have that. That might have been a turkish mod to resemble the cutout from the gew 98. Does the cutout take some of the Gew 88 away? I think that was done to assist in loading the clips.

Stock does have a reddish color on the butt end, but forward of that it get's darker, almost a black. As you can see from the pics the Gew 88 is complete. So I am assuming that it might be a German 05 conversion.

It looks like it to me.