ShtLE303 Posted 25 September Share Posted 25 September (edited) In the process of cleaning a Steyr 88/90 that came out of Ethiopia. Other than being filthy, the rifle is in fantastic shape. AOI (Africa Orientale Italiana) stamp on the butt, it's part of war reparations sent to the Italians after the Great War. There is a unit marking on the buttplate that I'm hoping someone could help with. From what I can see, it's '54R', then '21508' (or 9) Barrel is also stamped with 'Wn 88', with what appears to be a Belgian crown over ELG, but I'm pretty certain Belgium did not supply the AH military with barrels. I may be wrong of course. Looking forward to any thoughts...pics of the entire rifle soon. Edited 25 September by ShtLE303 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBsk Posted 26 September Share Posted 26 September (edited) It could be the barell was reproofed postwar, there existed some conversion done in Belgium. The unit is as mentioned a austrian Infantry Regiment nr.54 Alt-Starhemberg when good readed, it should be located in north area of Moravia in Olomouc. The rifle could be remains of equipment in italian front area of austrian units after oktober 1918. Even later reused by italians in colonnies. Question remains too, about all parts are matching? as the barell could be proofed in Belgium as part of later exports over belgian arms agent. Edited 26 September by AndyBsk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShtLE303 Posted 26 September Author Share Posted 26 September Definitely wasn't rebarreled post war. As stated, it's stamped Wn 88. After a little research, it appears that it's not Belgian. This rifle was a part of a cache that came out of Ethiopia and sold through a company called Royal Tiger Imports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBsk Posted 26 September Share Posted 26 September Unfortunally the stamp is not fully visible and blurry, possible its not a belgian ELG proof, i couldnt say its or not. Not enough visible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafal1971 Posted 30 September Share Posted 30 September Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBsk Posted 30 September Share Posted 30 September Thanks to Rafal details, it looks like ELG proof on barell, over this in rust area is too some stamp, similar parts pictures dont help by designation.Should be cleaned and presented other stamps of the rifle, for overall opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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