Loewe Kar 88 Commission Carbine – German S-Upgrade, Later Chinese Service

Serial No. 6589××. Manufactured by Ludwig Loewe & Co., Berlin circa 1891–1893, during the late production period of the original Karabiner 88. This rifle is an original factory-made Kar 88 carbine, not a cut-down modification.

Around 1903–1905, the rifle underwent the official German “S” upgrade (conversion to the 0.323” S-bore for 8×57mm Mauser ammunition). The “S” and n.M. (“neue Muster”) markings are fully consistent with German military refurbishment practices, confirming the rifle remained in German service at that time rather than being part of an early Qing export batch.

After World War I, large quantities of German surplus rifles entered the European arms trade. During the 1920s–1930s, this carbine was exported to China through commercial dealers and began its service with Chinese provincial and warlord forces.

The stock shows unmistakable Chinese field-use characteristics:
• copper-sheet arsenal repairs
• hand-painted rack numbers
• provincial/unit cartouches
• repeated refurbishment and re-issuance
These details visually document the rifle’s long service life in China during the Warlord and early Republican periods.

This example combines:
• the rarity of an original Kar 88 carbine,
• an authentic German S-upgrade, and
• extensive Chinese military service history,
making it a highly desirable and uncommon historical collectible.