Thanks, Sgt Drydock.
Even that is more than I can spend now.
The 1888s came out originally with .319" (J) bores. Later, some like mine (a Turkish export model), were redone with the bigger .323" grooves. A letter "S" (for spitzer which means pointed in Ger-merman) was then stamped on the top of the breech ring. Unlike the Mauser 98 series which are known for their tremendous strength, the 88s are fragile in comparison due to the fact that it only has locking lugs on the front of the bolt and not front AND rear like the 98s (which I believe ALL have "S" bores). However, IF you have an "S" bore gun, it is probably safe to fire with factory ammo, but be sure to have a gunsmith check it out, first. I've also safely fired full power German Military rounds thru it (about 300) but I'm takin' it easy on the old gal nowadays, and only shoot light loads that an ammo tech from Sierra bullets told me about. (21 -25 gr IMR 4198, 125 - 150 gr. bullet for cheap shooting/plinking - standard disclaimers of "use at your own discretion" apply.) It's been a fun gun for me for the last 25 yrs. or more - and I still have the receipt which shows the $27.88 price I paid! I don't think it had ever been fired; I had to clean the German version of Cosmolene out/off of it!