Mauser4me
Senior Member
Hey guys so I picked up my first ever Gewehr 88. It's an 1894 spandau. Doesn't have the added receiver tangs or side wall cut for stripper clips, but it is marked 'S'. Turk-free. My question/concern is; the barrel shroud seems loose to me. Considering that the sights are mounted to the shroud, and when I hand-tighten the shroud on, it comes snug past vertical sight alignment. The shroud and receiver serial numbers match. The guy I bought it from said that the rifle was one of the ones that ended up in Ecuador and got a new Czech barrel there.
Is it normal for the barrel shroud to be so loose? I realize that when the rifle is fully assembled (still tracking down a few parts) that the barrel shroud will be held vertical by the forward action screw to the trigger guard. But I have trouble believing that a number-matching shroud to receiver wouldn't snug up at true vertical sight alignment.
Again I've never owned another gew 88, and have none to compare mine too. So idk what to think! If you guys could let me know if mine is goofy or normal I'd much appreciate it!
Thanks in advance!
Is it normal for the barrel shroud to be so loose? I realize that when the rifle is fully assembled (still tracking down a few parts) that the barrel shroud will be held vertical by the forward action screw to the trigger guard. But I have trouble believing that a number-matching shroud to receiver wouldn't snug up at true vertical sight alignment.
Again I've never owned another gew 88, and have none to compare mine too. So idk what to think! If you guys could let me know if mine is goofy or normal I'd much appreciate it!
Thanks in advance!