8x51mmR was almost unheard of in Turkey, so any stolen rifles would be next to useless. Fearing crooked cops, theft, or all out assault and seizure of any rifles sent into these regions with the small police forces, the government turned to the Berthier. Turkey’s forestry officials were up against rampant timber theft and a strong criminal/rebel underground. These were held in storage until the post war period. During WWII, Turkish authorities had discovered and seized a shipment of French Berthier rifles and carbines believed to be destined for anti-British Iraqi rebels. The French Berthier was an unusual rifle in Turkey but that actually encouraged its adoption by Forestry officials. These will be marked 7,91, usually on the underside of the barrel. 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.
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