Gewehr 1891
VC Schilling
Date: 1891
Serial No: 1920
Calibre: 8mm

£1,400

Commmission Sale

Adopted in 1888 the new German Infantry round in 7.92 X 57mm replaced the old 10.4mm large bore cartridge adopted in 1871.
The M-1888 Rifle was referred to as the "Commission Rifle" and was manufactured as a full Infantry Rifle (Gewehr 88) and a Cavalry Carbine (Karabiner 88) starting in 1888.

In 1891 Artillery Carbine was adopted & called the Gewehr 91, it was identical to the Cavalry carbine, except it had a stacking hook below the nose cap.

Those manufactured or rebarreled post 1896 were Z modified (deepened rifle grooves), most were "S" modified (like this one) between 1903 - 1905.

The Gew 91 were replaced by the Karbiner 98 AZ between 1909 - 1910, and were stored away for the Reserves & Landwehr, then in turn for the Landstrum.

They again were re-issued in WWI. The rifle was carried throughout WW1, there are many known 1918 dated photographs showing it was still in use with the artillery at the end of the war.

This example has just been proofed, has a good bore, & comes with an original sling

All numbers match with the exception of the cartridge follower.

Regimentally marked to the 11th Artillery of Foot: 11.A.F.6.36

Because the barrel band with the regimental marks has a matching number, the regiment can be linked to this rifle with a high degree of confidence

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This example has been upgraded for emergency use of the new ammunition using the .323 bullet and has the receiver marked "S" to identify this.

The S denotes the chamber throat is reamed out for the S Cartridge introduced in 1903 and was only intened to be used in emergencies.

The receiver is not marked "Z" for the enlarged rifling depth, so I would strongly advise slugging the bore to determine the best size bullet to use with this one

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The Patrone 88. Cartridge had a bullet diameter of .318" which is correct for this rifle

The later S cartridge had a .323" diameter bullet with the spitzer point and should only be used in rifles with "Z" marked barrels with the deeper rifling