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Weren't these '88 Commission Rifles chambered in .318 bores? I seem to recall that they are similar to the common 8mm Mauser as found today - but that the bores are much smaller than the 8X57mm Mauser (.323) and should not be fired with the more modern/available today 8X57mm Mauser ammunition because of a possibility of blowing the rifle apart.

Just throwing this out because of a possible safety issue with someone who hasn't heard of it. I've never known of anyone trying it and I don't know if the newer round with the larger diameter bullet would even chamber in the old Commission '88s with the smaller diameter interior sized bore.
 

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This is the only ammo he had with it. I don't know how old it is, but it for sure not newer ammo :) There are 8 rounds missing from the box, so I assume he shot them in this gun at some time.

How would this have ended up in the US? He had this gun as far back as I can remember, sometime around the 40's is my earliest recollection.

Green Font Wood Rectangle Metal
 

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Weren't these '88 Commission Rifles chambered in .318 bores? I seem to recall that they are similar to the common 8mm Mauser as found today - but that the bores are much smaller than the 8X57mm Mauser (.323) and should not be fired with the more modern/available today 8X57mm Mauser ammunition because of a possibility of blowing the rifle apart.

Just throwing this out because of a possible safety issue with someone who hasn't heard of it. I've never known of anyone trying it and I don't know if the newer round with the larger diameter bullet would even chamber in the old Commission '88s with the smaller diameter interior sized bore.
the 1905 rework to .323 bore, depending on where it was done, has a notch on the rear of the receiver ring, and the S stamp for Spitzer bullets. I couldn't tell you on that one, but I wouldn't shoot it until I had a gunsmith check it out.
 

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It's quite possible it is a war trophy. If there is no import stamps it's about certain it's a war trophy. Either liberated by your grandfather or someone else.

As TRAP mentioned, in 1905 the German military changed their groove diameter to .323 from .318 and adopted the spitzer bullet. Now, admittedly military rifles are not my thing however, one cannot spend much time studying German firearms without gaining at least some familiarity if by no other means than osmosis. I have read multiple times by reputable sources that to make the pre-1905 rifles compatible with the new groove diameter German armorers merely enlarged the throat of the early rifles, thus guaranteeing enough room for bullet release. One revolution of the bullet in the bore and it was resized and the larger throat took care of any pressure difference.

As I understand it, American 8 X 57 ammo has always been loaded with .321 bullets and, it's a fact it is loaded to much lower pressure than its European counterpart. IF your gunsmith gives the rifle a clean bill of health I would think American loaded ammo would be fine.

Now, I'm positive someone, somewhere, is going to tell how many thousands of rounds of hot, .323, machine gun ammo they've fired in their old, .318 bored rifle without a hitch. All I can say is good for them.
 

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Always thought those Commission rifles were pretty cool with the shroud . Didn't the first ones take a enbloc clip that fell out when last round loaded like a Carcano then they changed them later to take stripper clips . Guessing yours was the later type ?
 

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I think so, Mike. I have a Haenel/Rasch in 9 X 57 built on the action, good rifle! However, they used a more conventional magazine but NOT the Mauser type. It's interesting and I'll have to try to get a picture.
 
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