88/05s also saw a Turkish refurb process that replaced the original barrels with better fitting new ones, leaving the guns otherwise unaltered in appearance. But a quick look at the rear sight usually does a quicker job, as these were remarked in Farsi. Many 1888/05 rifles found today will have the Ottoman’s crescent marking in various places on the receiver and bolt. Charger guides were added and a notch cut in the receiver for the more modern spitzer bullet. The en-bloc clip was abandoned and a cover placed over the exit port, with a spring and follower. Replaced with the Mauser 1898, the Gew.1888 was refurbished in order to handle improved ammunition and charger loading. The Gewehr 1888 was revolutionary when it debuted, but by 1900 it was already falling behind in the European arms race. Its ally Germany provided aid in the form of both semi-obsolete and newer rifles.
The Ottoman Empire was hit hard by the drain on material in WWI.
