Designed as a carbine variant of the German 1888 commission rifle. These rifles and carbines were adopted to replace the model 1871 and 71/84 rifles in response to the adoption of the French Lebel in 1886. This carbine, like the rifle, features a barrel jacket. This was an early feature on some smokeless powder repeating rifles to help mitigate heat and keep the soldier from burning their hands. The 1888 series also utilizes a five round enbloc clip, designed to be put in the action. The clip acts as the magazines feed lips and falls out of the bottom of the magazine after the last round is chambered. The Kar. 88, Gewehr 91 and Gewehr 1888 are all chambered for the 7.92x57mm J cartridge. This carbine is identical to the Gewehr 91, the only difference being the addition of a stacking rod on the front of the stock. This carbines receiver is marked "V.C. SCHILLING/SUHL/1890". Serial number is “2742/e”. The rear barrel band features a unit marking, band marked “15. T. E. F. 6. 9.".