Turkish Conversion of the Gew88 Rifle to Carbine

This is an interesting little Carbine. I won this in an online auction at Treasure Hunt Arms in Luling Louisiana owned by Miss T. It is a Gew88 rifle that was cut down into a carbine by the Turkish Military. Note that the barrel is only around 20 inches long. There are no matching numbers to original parts, but the barrel jacket and barrel has had the receiver number stamped on them at the time of rebuild. The receivers serial number is stamped on the bottom of the barrel jacket. This is hidden when in the stock. also the barrel base has the receiver's serial number added. This would be hidden by the barrel jacket. Unusual in that the last two serial numbers on the barrel are stamped and the first two numbers are electro penciled. I am told there were a small quantity of Gew88 rifles cut down into carbine configuration by Germany. Could this be one of those carbines given to Turkey during WWI and later refurbished by Turkey. I don't know, but due to the fact that those original carbines would be quite rare, I believe this to be a Turkish conversion done in the 1930s with parts from left over rifles. The Turks seemed to have experimented with several unusual conversions of rifles and bayonets during their standardization to the 8mm cartridge in the 1930s. One of the more unusual examples is a Lee Enfield/Mauser hybrid also built by Turkey. Well that's about all I know on this one. If anyone has any input on this carbines markings or its conversion please share them with me. Enjoy the pictures.

Note sling is identical to others as found on imported M1893, M1903, and M1938 Turkish Mausers that were refurbished by the Turks in the 1930s and 40s. The sling came to me with the carbine, but do not know if it is original to this rifle. It is shorter than the slings on my 1930s Turk rebuilt Mausers in my collection so that may be an indication that this is original to this carbine. Bayonet also came with rifle and is a German or Turkish Ersatz bayonet and fits the carbine perfect.
Crest indicates this carbine started life as an 1890 Gew88 rifle made at Loewe. Note the large crude Turkish Moon.	Here is the front of the receiver with the barrel jacket removed. Note the serial number added to the barrel to match the receiver.
Note new serial number stamped on underside of barrel jacket to match receiver.	I was first concerned that this carbine may have been shortened by a home gunsmith rather than the Turks, but am now certain that it is original due to the added matching serial numbers, wear to the bent bolt and barrel jacket, and patina to the rifle overall.

Talk about Proof Marks and other markings, Man does this Carbine have markings!

More going on here than I can decipher.
Turkish Moon on ball of bent bolt.	In addition to the Turk markings note the Z in a circle indicating a Czech replacement part.
Typical sight altered by Turks.	Underside of magazine showing original Prussian proofs.
Typical Turkish Writing on bolt.	Underside of bolt has the Czech Z in a circle. Also a B?

Once cleaned up, some discoloration can be seen in the area of the band.	Underneath is found a clean weld or braze where the jacket was cut, shortened and brazed back together.
Barrel is very clean and shows machining marks on the entire length. Still had some Turkish guys finger prints in the grease.	Close up of the muzzle end showing how barrel was cut and machined to fit the jacket.
Rifle stock reshaped into a carbine configuration.	Closer picture showing Barrel Jacket weld.