Markings on Gew 88 Sling Band 2 G.R.E 416

[MikeW]

I have a Gew 88 rifle, on the sling band it is
marked 2 G.R.E. 416

What does that mean?

[DaveG]

Possibly Ersatz-Bataillon des Garde Regiment. Others will know for sure.

Dave

[Willi Z.]

I agree. 2nd Garde Regiment Ersatz.

[MikeW]

I agree. 2nd Garde Regiment Ersatz.

So this would be part of the Prussian Guards as in the Kaisers bodyguards?

[pauke]

The term "Guards" is used with numerous units and not exactly meant to be understood as actual bodyguards. There were 5 Foot Guard regiments, 4 Grenadier Guard regts, Guard Train, Guard Pioneers, Guard Foot Artillery, 4 Guard Field Artillery, Guard Rifles, and numerous Guard Cavalry units. They would not all be congregated around the Kaiser. You might want to investigate the structure of the Imperial Army! Yes, there were bodyguards as well.

[Willi Z.]

So this would be part of the Prussian Guards as in the Kaisers bodyguards?

You are thinking about the "Gardes du Corps".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardes_du_Corps_(Prussia)

Your unit marking represents a Regiment within the "Gardekorps".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guards...(German_Empire)

Is your Gewehr 88 all German and all matching? Last year I picked up an unissued/ unfired, all German, and matching example marked to the100th (1st Royal Saxon) Life Grenadiers.

[Willi Z.]

Here are 3 examples of pretty rare Gew 88 muzzle covers (Mündungsschoner) marked to 2 reserve regiments and 1 reserve battalion within the Gardekorps: "Garde Jäger Bataillon", "1. Garde Regiment", and "4. Garde Grenadier Regiment". The single digit numbers represent the Kompanie within the battalion/ regiment, and the final 2 or 3 digits represent the "Waffennummer".