Gew. 88 buttplate markings.

I bought a total mismatched Erfurt 1891 Gew. 88/05 many years ago as a shooter. I thought it most likely a Turk used rifle since the bolt head has Turk markings. The most interesting thing about it was the markings on the buttplate. Might these be unit, or some depot markings? Couldn't find any reference in the Imperial unit marking list I have. Totally irrelevant to the mismatched rifle perhaps, but just curious.

Judging by #11 it passed through Posen in this rifles long career. There are higher numbers seen but those were most likely smaller depots or artillery depots that were brought up to repair or check firearms.

I have one Gew98 in my collection that passed through three depots in its long career.

Looks like it passed through the hands of several Armerors as well. I’ve never seen that many indicators on a buttplate. Pretty neat.

Thank you both. I had wondered about the variety of the markings.

88

dang talk about a hard and long life