Turk GEW

[SA1911a1]

I popped into a pawn today and popped out with a Turk GEW. The rifle is pretty dang nice, a 1889 Steyr. Everything matches except the bolt, which does not have a serial remaining. Even the screws match. This thing was filthy and it had never had the protective grease removed. The screws and barrel band spring were frozen, but a couple of hours work and I am happy with the results.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Nice find, the Turks had two versions of the 88, this one that is mostly the original Steyr, and the other that is almost a Mauser with new barrel, no shroud, Mauser style stock. Some of these Turk 88's can be a bit rough, this is a nicer one, check the headspace, Turk's are known for surprises in that area.

[SA1911a1]

Thanks Jim,

The head space checks out fine, the bore is bright and the rifling is worn but still present, the crown looks perfect. All of the 8mm ammo I have on hand is surplus, so I am going to have to wait until I can get to the store to pick up some American light/sweet.

[Fledge]

She's a beauty. Those greasy Turks sure clean up nice.

[qz2026]

Very cool find!!! Looks like a Commission rifle vs one of the Turk rebuilds...

[TulaTom]

Nice pickup!

[SA1911a1]

Very cool find!!! Looks like a Commission rifle vs one of the Turk rebuilds...

The Turks re-did the rear sight, mooned the barrel, and marked up the bolt with Farsi script, but the rifle is 99% original 88/05. I have a '90 Spandau that is original to keep it company. I deciphered the two set of unit markings on the barrel bands which gives a lot of depth to the history of the rifle.

The two vertical marks on the barrel shank were light gouges that looked, very much, like hair-line cracks. I had to polish down far enough to determine that they were, indeed, just gouges. I hated to have to mess with the finish, but, even if I don't shoot it, the next owner might and I needed to know for sure that the receiver wasn't ready to come apart.

[millman]

There are spray on dyes that are followed with a developer to detect cracks in metal. Your over polish job was not necessary.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Yes, same way we find cracks in engine cylinder heads.

[SA1911a1]

Yes, same way we find cracks in engine cylinder heads.

I have never seen the stuff. Where do you get it?

[Junk Yard Dog]

No idea, when I want to know about the condition of a cylinder head I dump it off at the machine shop and tell them to fix and make better. They use kits like these to check for cracks

[millman]

It is a bit cheaper to just buy one can of each chemical. https://www.mcmaster.com/#dye-penetrant ... s/=16xwymd

[SA1911a1]

Do you need the cleaner or would an MEK cleaner, like pvc cleaner, or denatured alcohol do the job?

I take it that you could do a lot of crack tests with one container, so then the question of shelf life arises?

So, do you dye the top of the receiver, in my case then wipe off the surface?

[millman]

I used a can the other day that is probably 10 years old. I cleaned the part with lacquer thinner. Lacquer thinner is toxic as hell, but is the shit for degreasing. After it is clean you spray on the dye and let it dry.(Just follow the directions on the can) Then you spray on the developer which looks like white powder. If there is a crack, the dye will seep out of the crack into the developer and make reddish stain where the flaw is. If the developer stays white there is no crack.

[steelbuttplate]

She's a beauty. Those greasy Turks sure clean up nice.

That's what they told me at that Hotel in Istanbul

[Fledge]

She's a beauty. Those greasy Turks sure clean up nice.

That's what they told me at that Hotel in Istanbul

[King Johhny]

I will be receiving a Turked GEW88/05 in about the same state and condition as yours. What type of ammo, in specific, is safe? Any new manufacture or just American manufacture?

[SA1911a1]

I am not sure if it is ever safe to shoot, but, the best bet is to get some Privi from Graf and Sons. It is the cheapest stuff I can find. I looked at a box at Bass Pro and they wanted $42.00 for it. I ain't paying two bucks a round to plink with a 120 year old rifle.

[Junk Yard Dog]

All the components are available for this round, pack your own and pack them to the lightest spec

[SA1911a1]

Well, I did get impatient and pay two dollars a round for some soft point ammo. The 128 year old returned to service today and did a stellar job.

I shot a 4" group, which, with my eyes and those sights, is a good thing. I was shooting at about 65 yards and it was about 6" high which is probably about right, the windage was correct, so the spread may have been all me. A nice surprise on the range with the flowers blooming, but the weather is quite warm and I about crapped my drawers setting up a target, on uncovering a black snake, who left, stage left, as quick as his or her scales could carry it. Don't fret about the shine on the wood, just a lemon oil wipe-down.