MauserMcGhee
Member
looks like there may
have been a plate on it at some point also.....
have been a plate on it at some point also.....
Circled crown/KM mark on stock meaning?
- Thread starter MauserMcGhee
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MauserMcGhee
Member
Yes, I have several pics of it in the thread "ID help with Kettner Sporterized Mauser? Could it be a .318?"
Apparently, the rifle was originally a scoped sporter chambered in 8x57J that was donated by its owner to serve the military as a sniper rifle in 1915. The KM, D prefix inventory number, and plate were added by the military. It seems many went to the Marines so I would assume KM is for Kaiserliche Marine.
After the war, it was returned to its owner and probably rebarreled to a sporting caliber. Very rare piece.
After the war, it was returned to its owner and probably rebarreled to a sporting caliber. Very rare piece.
MauserMcGhee
Member
I'm not sure what ammo could be fired through it. I have cast the bore, it shows .324/325 in the grooves at chamber and muzzle. Barrel has "Nitro" proof marks as well as a Prussian eagle. All the markings suggest to me it is not a JS gun, but the bore size has me confused.
MauserMcGhee
Member
That's interesting, I hadn't considered 8x60
Cyrano4747
Well-known member
Have you tried casting the chamber? That should pretty definitively answer what the chamber dimensions are, and from there you can look at dimensional drawings for the various potential calibers.
Really neat gun.
Absolut
Senior Member
Königliche Munitionsfabrik (zu Spandau) was suggested in this thread here: https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/gew88-sporter-at-the-front.16747/post-111504
Maybe! Would make sense as a test acceptance prior to issue.
MauserMcGhee
Member
It would be amazing to know what the warning placards actually looked like
MauserMcGhee
Member
There are two holes on the other side of the stock also that are filled in the same manner.
MauserMcGhee
Member
After casting the chamber, this is 8x57 with a .324-.325 bore. I wonder if the "D" designation is due to the gun being Nitro proofed as opposed to smokeless? The receiver has this...2.5g G.B.P. St.m.G. Also, any idea what these S stamps are on the barrel's underside?
I really don't think a .323 bore would be marked 7.7mm by the proofhouse. It is clearly marked for the smaller bullet, and I would strongly recommend you not shoot this with the larger .323 projectiles. Its a rare rifle, so I wouldn't shoot it all frankly. Maybe some of our commercial collectors can chime in.
The receiver markings are from the original commercial proofing, a load of 2.5g Gewehr Blättchen Pulver (flake powder) with Stahlmantel Geschoß (steel jacketed bullet).
The receiver markings are from the original commercial proofing, a load of 2.5g Gewehr Blättchen Pulver (flake powder) with Stahlmantel Geschoß (steel jacketed bullet).
MauserMcGhee
Member
I am confused by it too. There is also an "8m/m" hand engraved into the top of the barrel just in front of the receiver. I've cast and measured it several times, this is the common result. My father once upon a time re-loaded for and fired this rifle. I think he did use the .318 bullets. None of the dies, bullets or load data can be found or clearly remembered at this point. He does assure me that it is too light and very uncomfortable to fire.
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Cyrano4747
Well-known member
Frankly I wouldn't trust any of the markings on the barrel to be of anything other than historical interest. In your shoes I would trust the castings. God only knows what kind of work was done on this rifle between those markings being put on and now.
flynaked
Repo Field Gear Collector
Neat rifle for sure. Your measurement method is probably hindering accuracy. Plus there are a lot of factors here, if that is cerosafe, there are dimensional changes to factor in as it cools. You could also be looking at muzzle or throat erosion, depending on where you slugged it from.
Another one of these rifles popped up earlier this year, there are probably more around that are simply not recognized for what they are. I am not positive, but I believe I have also seen stocks marked with numbers “DXXX” but lacking the c/KM, though my memory maybe in error here.
On the subject, I also noted a Mauser marked to the UDF earlier this year, that was a first for me.
Another one of these rifles popped up earlier this year, there are probably more around that are simply not recognized for what they are. I am not positive, but I believe I have also seen stocks marked with numbers “DXXX” but lacking the c/KM, though my memory maybe in error here.
On the subject, I also noted a Mauser marked to the UDF earlier this year, that was a first for me.
heavy_mech
RKI- Reasonably Knowledgable Individual
From @Amberg back in 2015
"That tag shows the silhouette of a Mod. 88 cartridge and says: "Nur für Patrone 88"
Only for Mod.88 rounds."
No photo was shared.
From the same thread... "Only rifles on Mauser M98 actions were to be accepted and issued. Those suitable for the then standard .323" bullet S cartridge were stamped with a Z-prefix registration number, while those deemed suitable only for the limited standard old .318" bullet Patrone 88 cartridge got a D-prefix number. Apparently arsenal staff thought this D or Z marking sufficient at first, as rifle D 771 shows no other markings. But soldiers usually don't read instruction manuals, so soon the .318", D-marked rifles got a metal plate too, with the warning "Nur für Patrone Mod.88" (for cartridge 88 only!) and a sketch of the distinguishing round nose bullet of that load. Rifle D 2241 shows the traces of this plate, and there is a photo of a German sniper in Senich's book that shows such a plate."
