Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this outstanding bolt-action rifle today for a penny-start auction, this is the Erfurt Karabiner 88!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Erfurt
Model: Karabiner 88
Serial: 2346F
Date of Manufacture: 1891
Caliber: 7.92x57mm (Aka 8mm Mauser)
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 18"
Optics/Sights: Winged Protected Blade Front with Flip-Up Adjustable Ladder Rear
Stock/Grips: Walnut Stock with Checkered Grips
Action: Bolt-Action
Markings: Standard / The top of the receiver is stamped with the crown over Erfurt, along with the date of manufacture “1891” and the letter “S”. The left side of the receiver wall is stamped “Kar.88.". The left side of the receiver is stamped with the serial number “2346F”. The right side of the receiver is stamped with three German proof marks.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
With the introduction of the smokeless Gewehr 88 “Commission Rifle,” the German Army finally made a serious effort to modernize its cavalry units. There had never been a carbine version of the Mauser 71/84 produced, and even by the late 1880s, many German cavalrymen were still armed with single-shot Mauser 71 carbines—or worse, converted captured Chassepots from the Franco-Prussian War. While the Karabiner 88 wasn’t in production as quickly as hoped, rifles were coming off the assembly line in quantity by the summer of 1890. Interestingly, the factories tasked with this production weren’t the major state arsenals, but rather two private firms in Suhl—CG Haenel and VC Schilling (though the Erfurt Arsenal would step in during 1891 to produce a batch of 25,000 carbines). The Kar 88 was notably light and maneuverable, designed specifically for use in a cavalry scabbard, which gave it a streamlined profile.
Model: Karabiner 88
Serial: 2346F
Date of Manufacture: 1891
Caliber: 7.92x57mm (Aka 8mm Mauser)
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 18"
Optics/Sights: Winged Protected Blade Front with Flip-Up Adjustable Ladder Rear
Stock/Grips: Walnut Stock with Checkered Grips
Action: Bolt-Action
Markings: Standard / The top of the receiver is stamped with the crown over Erfurt, along with the date of manufacture “1891” and the letter “S”. The left side of the receiver wall is stamped “Kar.88.". The left side of the receiver is stamped with the serial number “2346F”. The right side of the receiver is stamped with three German proof marks.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
With the introduction of the smokeless Gewehr 88 “Commission Rifle,” the German Army finally made a serious effort to modernize its cavalry units. There had never been a carbine version of the Mauser 71/84 produced, and even by the late 1880s, many German cavalrymen were still armed with single-shot Mauser 71 carbines—or worse, converted captured Chassepots from the Franco-Prussian War. While the Karabiner 88 wasn’t in production as quickly as hoped, rifles were coming off the assembly line in quantity by the summer of 1890. Interestingly, the factories tasked with this production weren’t the major state arsenals, but rather two private firms in Suhl—CG Haenel and VC Schilling (though the Erfurt Arsenal would step in during 1891 to produce a batch of 25,000 carbines). The Kar 88 was notably light and maneuverable, designed specifically for use in a cavalry scabbard, which gave it a streamlined profile.
This became a drawback when the Army decided to issue the carbines to foot artillery crews as well, since the design provided no way to stack rifles while crews tended to their guns. The solution was the Gewehr 91, which was identical to the Kar 88 in all respects except for the addition of a stacking rod beneath the muzzle. Both the Kar 88 and Gew 91 were already being phased out before World War One, as the newer Mauser 98-pattern carbines—introduced around 1909 or 1910—were taking their place. That changed with the outbreak of war, of course, and every 88-pattern carbine in the German inventory was issued during the Great War.
Their compact size and light weight made them ideal for personnel who needed a personal weapon but were unlikely to engage in direct combat—artillery crews, cyclists, supply drivers, balloon observers, and so on. After the war, they vanished from military service. The arms restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles gave Germany no reason to retain outdated weapons, and they were discarded in favor of maintaining Mauser 98-pattern rifles and carbines.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
