Spotted one in nice shape at a local shop. Double triggers, long tapered octagon barrel and the magazine still shows case colors. I did not have a look at the bore, but may have to go back and do so. It shouldered nicely and has an aperture rear sight.
I've never owned a Germanic-school sporter, but we all know there are no flies on the 8X57. I would of course slug the bore before loading for this rifle.

I have a couple of them.
Nice handling classic rifles. The 8x57 is generally the earlier 'j' bore .318d groove dim. Some do turn up in the later 's' bore .323 groove dim. A simple slugging of the bore shows the difference. A chamber cast is a good idea too as some odd chamberings are around both from orig mfg & later modifications.
BBl markings under the wood will generally give you the land diameter (not groove)in m/m plus the cartridge length in m/m. But that simple info does not identify the case that fits the chamber in all instances.

If it is a 'J' bore (.318), you can use standard 8x57 (.323) dies to reload the cartridge. Just don't use the expander button in the sizer. Let the FL die size the neck down and use it as-is. It'll be perfect for the smaller dia bullets.
For projectiles, I use the 170 jackets FN .321d intended for the 32Special WCF. They are thin jacketed and offer no problems with the sight oversize dim and the light (starting) loads I normally use in these rifles.
Cast bullets,,I use the same bullet and at a couple .000 over groove dia, they are perfect.

Again, I use light loads, they are not the strongest action around nor the newest on the block.

Unaltered magazines need the 5-round 'enbloc clip to operate as a repeater correctly. They usually can be bought on FleaBay and other online sources. About $8 e the last time I bought any. They last forever if handled carefully.

Thanks 2152. I'll go back and inspect the bore here in a day or two.

The bore is clean but a bit frosty. Tempted to go back and scrub it. Rifle has a ship missing in left forend, crack in right. Barrel marked Bohlerstahl on two of the octagon flats. Set trigger is lovely. It's light and lively. Make a great cast bullet rifle if the bore cleans up.

I have one and really enjoy it now that I got the triggers straightened out. I have a bunch of .318 jacketed bullets I came across but may try some cast for grins and giggles.

You said it had an aperture rear sight. Is it the one that is part of the bolt release and is spring loaded? Flips forward and back as the bolt handle passes?

Another thing to be aware of is some of the 88's with .318 bores were just throated to accept .323 bullets. The bore is still the same bore as the .318.

These are the very reason for the US ammo makers' anemic loadings of 8x57mm Mauser.

They're usually really nicely made and handle wonderfully as you've seen. The only disappointing things with the ones that I have had is that my neck is too long (no fault of the rifles) and they bashed my face unmercifully; and that the durn en-bloc clips I have don't hold short cartridges reliably under recoil. Probably not a problem at cast bullet load level, but even a 200 at 2000 that didn't span the length of the magazine box would creep forward out of the clip ridges. The extractors can be a bit fragile so I hear, but I've never broken one.

Bohler (with that umlaut o) made barrels and barrel steel, like Wittner and Krupp. I do love those old Haenel sporters!

Dave, yes, that's the aperture rear. I had not seen its like before.
Bpesteve: I was wondering about the recoil in so light a gun.

Mine was the first one I ever saw with that rear sight. It may be in the literature somewhere but I haven't found it. I find the recoil actually negligible. I have never had an issue with recoil until I hit the big bore stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by drhall762:
You said it had an aperture rear sight. Is it the one that is part of the bolt release and is spring loaded? Flips forward and back as the bolt handle passes?

That is probably a Lyman 36 sight, made for the Mannlicher/Schoenauer, but adaptable, I believe to the Mauser 88. have on my 1903 M/S carbine, and it works to perfection.

XA: It is very similar in principle to the 36.

Rather than kick this around too much, here is what mine looks like:



Don't think it is a Lyman.

Dave, that's it exactly.

Dave, I just bought the rifle. It shows some erosion of the rifling ahead of the breech, but I think it will likely shoot, at least with jacketed bullets. Need to figure out how to adjust that swell peep for windage and elevation.

Elevation is easy. turn the stem with the aperture clockwise to lower it, counter clockwise to raise it.

Let me know when you figure out windage.

Mine has a large aperture kind of like a ghost ring and then a hinged leaf with a much smaller aperture. Does yours?

Does your rifle also have a double folding leaf rear sight on the barrel?

Well, that worked. I did notice that my aperture arm could be slid back and forth several millimeters without much pressure. There is a set screw under the arm that holds the aperture, and I will try tightening that.
Yes, second leaf on the rear sight. I am not seeing the hinged leaf with smaller aperture, just a fairly small aperture.
Serial of 10548 on the butt.

Okay, windage. Under the aperture arm is a small screw. Loosen, move arm in or out, tighten.

I think I'd shhot it, do the calculations and apply a caliper or micrometer to the arm to ensure the adjustment was close.

Guess I was typing while you were.

No serial number on mine at all. Post some picks. I love these guns. Gun porn at its finest.

Here she is:








One small stock repair will be needed.

Now I have seen two. It is identical to mine.

When you tire of it, Bill, give me a yell.

Actually with all the assistance I have rendered I he should pass it to me. Besides, I have its twin brother. Reunite the family.

Lovely, absolutely lovely!

We seldom see anything that nice in my area.

Many of those rifles were bring backs from WW-2 and ammunition was not available off the shelf so, if they were model 98's, they were re-barreled to something easier to find. The older Commission rifles, drillings, etc were often left hiding in a closet waiting to be discovered by someone that would appreciate them.

I'm only a little envious.

Dennis, it was marked down about 40 percent from the original asking price at Guncrafters here in Salem. I think a lot of folks are either unfamiliar with Germanic sporting rifles, or just don't care for their peculiarities.
Bill

Bill,

The wife and I are planning a trip to the valley this spring to visit friends and family, got to drop off some elk meat for my brother in Albany. I see I'm going to have to stop at Guncrafters on our way through Salem. Haven't been there in years.

Congratulations on a fine purchase. I have a GEWEHR fully engraved action with DSTs sitting here. It would have been a nice 7x57 by now, but the claw mount bases are holding me up. I had trouble finding someone to fit a set. Cure: NECG. The only issue now is getting the scope I need to clear the front.

She's up for sale in the classifieds, fellas.