Custom Danzig Arsenal Gewehr 88 Short Rifle 8mm Mauser Rifle, Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,225.00
LSB# LSB250520NW003
Make: Imperial Danzig Arsenal, Germany
Model: Gewehr 88 Short Rifle
Serial Number: 7112Z
Year of Manufacture: 1896 (1914 Rework)
Caliber: 7.95×57 (8mm Mauser)
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Mag Fed.
Markings: The top of the receiver has a crown and “S DANZIG 1896”. The left side is marked, “7112Z / Gew. 88” The bolt has Turkish markings. There are various Imperial German proofs throughout.
Barrel Length: 18”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a dovetailed barelycorn blade, the rear sight is a flip up V-notch ladder sight marked to 20.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock is a single piece with a forend cap/ cleaning rod & bayonet lug, barrel band w/ sling loop, through bolt, straight wrist, sling loop, and steel buttplate. There are pressure dents, scratches, and chips throughout. There are cracks at the wrist. The LOP measures 13 1/8 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refurbished.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright, and the rifling is sharp. There is faint erosion in the bore with light pricks of pitting. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its finish. There is light thinning and patina in certain spots throughout. There are scratches and impact marks throughout along with small spots of rust. The action has moderate wear. The screw heads are mostly sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Leather sling.
Our Assessment: The Gewehr 88, also known as the “Commission Rifle,” was Germany’s transitional military rifle between the black powder era and the modern smokeless cartridge age. Designed by a military commission and produced by multiple arsenals including Danzig, this rifle was originally chambered for 7.9mm Patrone 88 and featured an innovative en-bloc clip system and jacketed barrel. Over time, many were updated to the “S” specification to accept the newer 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm) cartridge. This example, built at the Imperial Danzig Arsenal in 1896 and reworked in 1914, shows all the hallmarks of a rifle that saw continued service into the early 20th century—possibly including Ottoman or Turkish use, as evidenced by the bolt markings. This particular Gewehr 88 has been converted into a short rifle configuration with an 18″ barrel, most likely as a post-service modification or for commercial/militia use. It retains about 60% of its refurbished blued finish, with thinning, scattered marks, and some spots of rust and patina. The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling and rates 7/10 by antique standards—well above average for rifles of this era. The wood stock shows honest wear with handling marks and wrist cracks but remains solid and full of character. The rear ladder sight and dovetailed front sight are still intact, and the rifle comes with a leather sling, completing its rugged field look.
This is an intriguing piece for collectors of antique military rifles, particularly those with an interest in transitional German small arms or arms with possible Middle Eastern reissue history. The combination of Danzig production, Turkish arsenal markings, and a cut-down short rifle profile makes it a unique variant of the Gewehr 88 platform. Whether appreciated as a restoration candidate, shooter-grade antique, or a conversation piece in a collection, this custom Gewehr 88 tells a story that spans continents and empires. -R.E.
