A strange KAR 88

[bigbore805]

I was given a KAR 88 about 10 years ago and dragged it out the other day as a possible new project. I'm know it is not a real KAR 88 because the barrel is about 30" long and has a step for a muzzle cap. It also has an 1898 Krag rear sight (and maybe a Krag front sight). The receiver is marked Erfurt 1895 and the stock (which appears to be a KAR stock) is covered with German cartouches. Receiver and bolt match, trigger guard does not. It has no caliber markings. I suspect this is a Bannerman special. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of these things? It is well-done, not from someone's garage.

[FLINTNFIRE]

Pictures are what is needed

[frnkeore]

Sounds like someone may have put a GEW 88 barrel and jacket on it.

We do need pictures.

Frank

[10-x]

Sure it's not a GEW 88? Pics needed. Does it have a notch in the top of the receiver?

[mikeym1a]

Darn, no pics.

[bigbore805]

Here are some pictures. It's not a GEW 88 because I have a GEW barrel and the contour and length are wrong. There is a step under the nose cap. It is clearly marked KAR 88. 790617906279063

[mikeym1a]

It started life as a GEW88. I don't know about the sights, but, I've seen pictures of Mod 88's that were used to make very high quality sporting guns. The stock barrel on the 88 was 29in, but, they were very skinny and rough. There was one like yours for sale this past summer that I positively drooled over, but didn't have the money. The bolt, magazine and receiver of yours are typical 88. Have you slugged the bore? What are the markings on the receiver and barrel? And, do you want to part with it?

[bigbore805]

Here are some more pictures. It may have started as a GEW88 but it is clearly marked KAR88. The stock is has all kinds of cartouches on it: crown over W, crown over S, crown over C (?), lots of inspectors marks. All very clear after I scrubbed out the grime. The bore is very rough so I have not slugged it yet. I'll do that this weekend.
79077
79072790737907479075

[FLINTNFIRE]

It started as a KAR88 it is a carbine version of the GEW88, google it up there is plenty of information about them . Including a couple for sale on gunbroker

[frnkeore]

A mysterious gun, for sure.

The barrel could be off any of the small ring Mausers (8x57, 7.65x53, 7x57), turned to be a close fit in the barrel jacket. Your rear sight looks to have windgage adjustment, if so it would probably make it a sight off a Wehrmann (military type target rifle in 8.15x46R. Popular between the wars). Wehrmann's in 88's are very rare and I haven't seen any built on the KAR, just GEW's. It may have been someones attempt to build a Wehrmann from a KAR, long ago. Check that chamber, if it's 8.15x46R, that's what you have. The groove size on those rifles are usually under .321. I have a GEW 98 Wehrmann that has a .317 groove and a German Schuetzen falling block that is .316, they are both 8.15x46R.

Frank

[bigbore805]

This is no longer a Kar88. The barrel is about 29", the forend cap looks like the Kar88 front sight with the sight milled off, the rear sight is clearly from a Krag. You can even see the brass filler used when the original sight was removed. I am interested in any information on these conversions and the suspected caliber. It might be an 8mm because it is marked "S" and no other markings. I'll slug it this weekend and see what develops.

[FLINTNFIRE]

I missed the 29" barrel , it sounds as if a chamber cast and a slug of the bore are needed , always interesting to see the changes made through the years to some of the old military rifles , having a 98 in 8mm-06 an Arisaka in 6.5 -257 rbts , a Gew 88 which is S marked with the original bore , then I have had a 1903 rebored to 375 whelen , have passed on a few others over the years as some had multiple holes drilled for different sights or mounts . Then my sons 1873 trapdoor with the cut down stock and a shorter barrel .
It looks like the year is actually 1893 on your rifle .

[mikeym1a]

This is a really neat rifle, even if the barrel is toast. However, a good cleaning might restore it to some use. I missed the 'KAR' the first time. I just saw it was a Mod 88 action, bolt and magazine. It's the type of oddball that appeals to me. A really neat job with the barrel jacket. Neat gun. :D

[bandit7.5]

That looks like one of those early 60s or late 50s rifles you would see advertised in the backs of magazines. Old world sporting rifles you have a kar88 reciever with longer barrel installed the stock is sporterized and someone stuck that non military spoon bolt handle on it.

[adrians]

That looks like one of those early 60s or late 50s rifles you would see advertised in the backs of magazines. Old world sporting rifles you have a kar88 reciever with longer barrel installed the stock is sporterized and someone stuck that non military spoon bolt handle on it.
I have to disagree with the "non military spoon bolt handle", I think it's a Kar88 bolt for sure.:coffeecom

[bigbore805]

Yes, flintnfire, it is 1893. I missread it. The Kar88's had the turned down spoon bolt handle so I'm sure everything behind the barrel is original. Even the stock looks unmodified. They just milled off the standard front sight and used the result as a fore end cap. The barrel band is not modified at all and it fits fine. It still has the German unit markings on it.

[adrians]

"Even the stock looks unmodified".
I don't think the K88 stocks were "finger grooved", mine isn't anyway.:coffee:

[frnkeore]

Since you need a new barrel, here is where you can get BOTH the 8.15x46R and the standard GEW 88.

http://www.lothar-walther.com/175.php

Frank

[mikeym1a]

Here's another link.

http://www.lothar-walther.com/377.php

[bigbore805]

The barrel is completely ruined. I can't even slug it. Looking at it, I'm thinking it was modified to look like a cut-down 1898 Springfield, but in 8mm. That's where the finger grooves come from. I'll put it on auction and see if someone needs a receiver and bolt.

[webfoot10]

Put a 95 Mauser carbine barrel on it , along with the 1902 krag rear sight, and a 1903 springfield front sight and have
fun. Sargo has 7mm barrels in stock, makes a nice little hunting rifle.
webfoot10

[KCSO]

As a KAR 88 owner I can say for sure that that isn't it. You have a sporterized rifle that used a KAR action and bolt and parts. Parts is parts, parts. I agree the rear sight looks Kraf and the front sight looks to be springfield. It's just a neat old sporter somebody made up years ago.