Chinese Hanyang 88 Type 88 Patrone M/88 Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $805
WOA#: WY240125DH014
Make: Hanyang Arsenal
Model: Hanyang 88
Serial Number: NSNV
Year of Manufacture: 1904-1944
Caliber: Patrone 88 (The original round-nosed version of 8mm Mauser, not modern spitzer 7.92x57mm)
Action Type: Bolt action, 5 round en-bloc clip fed internal magazine
Markings: The underside of the bayonet lug is marked “279”. Both sides of the buttstock are carved with Chinese characters. The underside of the barrel is marked with an import mark.
Barrel Length: 29”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into a barrel mounted ramped base. The rear sight is a v-notch blade attached to a sliding escalator assembly.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has a straight grip, nose cap with bayonet lug, hole for the included cleaning rod, barrel band with sling loop, underside sling loop, and metal buttplate. The buttplate is heavily worn and misshapen, which has caused it to no longer be flush with the buttstock. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout. There are cracks on top of the wrist at the back of the receiver tang, the right side of the stock below the receiver, the underside of the stock coming off the front of the trigger guard/magazine assembly, and the right side of the forend. The buttstock is heavily worn around the buttplate and they no longer fit flush with each other. There is a very large compression mark on the left side below the receiver. There are multiple chunks missing from the top of the forend. The LOP measures 13.1” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Fair overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is no longer present. There is very heavy erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 1 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains none of its metal finish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout. The finish has almost entirely oxidized and there is a patina on most of the receiver and magazine. There is pitting on the edges of the receiver, at the muzzle, and on the barrel band. The screw heads show moderate to heavy use. The markings on the metal have been worn away and those on the buttstock are heavily worn. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fair condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly but the safety is frozen in the fire setting. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Type 88, better known as the Hanyang 88, is a Chinese take on the Imperial German Gewehr 88. While they share many similarities, including both being chambered in the Patrone 88 cartridge, beginning in 1904 Hanyang 88s omitted the distinctive barrel shroud and the rear sight was changed. Also unlike the G88, Hanyang 88s were never updated to fire the newer spitzer version of 8mm Mauser, nor were they converted to take charger clips. This limited their effectiveness but they were never fully replaced by other, more modern bolt action rifles. Production continued until 1944. This example is in very rough shape, which is common for these rifles. The stock is heavily worn, with a number of cracks present throughout. The metal retains none of its finish and there is a patina on many of the parts. The bore has no rifling, but there does not appear to be any damage that would make it unsafe to shoot. Though, with the state of the stock it may be worth using this as a wall-hanger or discussion piece rather than something you take out to the range. The Chinese markings on the buttstock are interesting, but they’re very worn and would take some effort to translate. These are interesting and often forgotten about rifles. This would fit into any Chinese or Second World War collection. Please see our photos.
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