British(?) markings on Mannlicher

Horilka

Horilka

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Gentlemen,
Please help to identify this marking on stock of 88/90. ESA(?) Is that British?


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VoTs.jpg
 
India markings. After WWI Italy ended up with a fair bit of Austrian-Hungarian arms. Many of these were sent to Italy's colonies. When the British took over those colonies in WWII many of the arms in the region were sent to India. I have heard of it with M95 Mannlichers, however I have never heard of it with 88/90s. Definitely a cool find. I also seem to recall that India uses the 8x50r round to this day as one of the few legal civilian hunting rounds.

A marking I would look for is a small star on the rifle. That is a Italian refurbishment marking and would confirm it was a Italian Capture. I am definitely a bit jealous right now.
 
I've seen it a few times on 88/90s. I have one rebuilt with a SMLE front sight and M95 rear. Don't know if it's a true 88/95 or if the Indians did it.
 
That is what I was suspecting, just needed confirmation if the marking is Indian. I also read about some Mannlichers that were captured by Italy, went to colonies and ended up with British forces an later were sent to India. That is hell of the story for the rifle life. There are no stars on this rifle, was not star a post-ww2 refurb marking?
P.S. There was nice 88/90(?) about two months ago on EE and I missed it. That one is in fair condition, but well, I've been looking for one for quite a while with no luck.
 
I'll try to make better pictures, I suspect first letter is "E", but hard to figure out. Regardless of first letter, it's still Commonwealth marking, is it not?
 
I took a quick relook though my Carcano reference book and it says it is a refurbishment marking just not specifically when. I had it on a M95 Carbine, which I doubt they would have refurbished after WWII as they would have had enough Carcanos and such to go around.

I would love to get two 88/90s, a nice correct Bulgarian contract, and a nice correct Austrian-Hungarian example. Unfortunately these aren't common and I don't particularly have the funds at the moment (my Christmas present to myself is already on the way, don't worry I will be sure to share it).
 
Out of curiosity how does the bolt feel when it is cycled in comparison to a M95? Since it will likely be a while before I get to try one (other things have taken priority such as a Nagant Revolver and crates of GP-11) I am just wondering how it feels.
 
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