[Peddler Parsons]

All
I need some wise help from this glorious group!
Have a rifle with a 16.5" long barrel that mic's out at mussle at .311"
on the top of the reciver is 1940 under that is a "H" below that a "S" under that is V.C. SCHILLING then SUHL then 1890

Serial # 51xx on the left side of the bolt carrige is HAR. 88. or KAR.88. hard to make out first letter. The sling grove goes through the but stock and has a crown stamp over a D on the slope and the top sling is a flat loop on the band. the bolt is curved and flat on the end but lays nest to the stock and the bottom of the mag is open.
Thanks for the help
Peddler

 

[John Traveler]

Your description fits a German service rifle, originally an M1888 "Commission" model chambered for the M1888 RN .318" diameter bullet.

Some were re-barreled to use the M1905 spitzer (pointed) .323" diameter bullet, and were so marked on the receiver (1940). That .311" you measured was probably the bore diameter of the re-barreled piece (nominally .312" bore diameter).

SUHL is the city where arsenal was located, SCHILLING was the manufacturer in 1890. Barrel length would define if you indeed have the carbine version of the M1888. The sling fittings were same on both rifle and carbine versions. The open magazine bottom is for the Mannlicher-style ammo clip to fall through when the last round is chambered.

These old rifles are considered to marginally suitable for modern full-power 7.92x57 ammunition.