buckstix
.400 member
Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1392
Loc: Whitetail Country
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Hello Experts,
Like they say, "Help someone in need, and he'll know where to go when he needs something again".
So here we are.
I just got back from Cabelas with another unusual purchase. And, as usual, I have no clue what I bought. I have seen and I have owned Mauser 71's - 88's - 95's - GEW 98's - K98's - etc. But, I've never seen or heard of a GEW 91.
Every time I see something I've never seen before, I'm compelled to buy it. (within reason) Thats how this one came to follow me home.
Its got a full length mannilicher stock. The receiver is in the white, everything else is blued. Barrel length is 17-5/8" measured down the bore to the bolt face. Lots of small crown proofs overall, and some are also on the wood.
The left side of the rail is marked "GEW 91" with a small "nm" underneath. The receiver is marked at the top with an "S" and "Crown / Erfurt" below, and a date of 1895, below that. The left side of the muzzle cap is stamped "15.R.A.F.4.15" with s series of "slash lines" through the numbers. There is also an "X" cut into the wood just below the cap on that side. The right side of the muzzle cap is stamped "1.R.A.F.8.107" which I assume is some kind of Bavarian Regimental Mark. The serial number is "1244" and there are small "44"s stamped on each and every metal part. However, the Spoon Bolt handle has a serial number "3481", but it also has "slash lines" through each number, and there is a "44" stamped below it. All the components of the bolt are stamped "81".
Here are some pictures. The question is: What did I buy.
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"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."
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dons
.333 member
Reged: 18/08/07
Posts: 431
Loc: Essex
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Basically this carbine is a Kar88 with a stacking hook. 
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kuduae
.400 member
Reged: 13/01/10
Posts: 1806
Loc: middle of Germany
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The "Gewehr 91" was the name for the M88 carbine with a stacking rod added. Gew 91 were issued to foot artillery and other non-mounted special units. Your example was made by the royal Prussian rifle factory Erfurt. "n.m." = neues material shows it was made with the improved, reinforced barrel. It was first issued to 15th (Prussian)Reserve Artillery regiment on foot, 4th battery, rifle number 15. After WW1 started it was withdrawn from service and converted to use the then-standard S-type ammo, "S" stamp on receiver ring. The bolt body was replaced with one of another carbine, correctly renumbered . The magazine was fitted with the clip-ejecting cover at the same time. Then it was reissued to the 1st Reserve Artillery Regiment, 8th battery, rifle number 107. Here is a photo of a peacetime soldier with a Gew91:
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German foresters: We like sustainability! For merely 300 years by 2013.
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buckstix
.400 member
Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1392
Loc: Whitetail Country
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Thank you kuduae,
Thank you for the information and the translation of the markings. And especially thank you for the very nice photo showing an artillery foot soldier with his 91. I will be shooting my little rifle as soon as the weather warms, and will post the results.
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"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."
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Vladymere
.300 member
Reged: 11/08/15
Posts: 187
Loc: North Carolina, USA
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It appears that you have a arsenal forced match bolt which will affect it's value some but not like a mismatched bolt. Gew.91s are a scarce rifle and this rifle, even with the force matched bolt, should command a high value amongst collectors.
Vlad
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DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27690
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
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Did you get clips with it? Or - does it use something like a Carcano clip?
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Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
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