The Karabiner 98k was a bolt action rifle adopted as the standard infantry rifle in 1935 by Nazi Germany. Its among the final devlopments from a line of Mauser rifles. It was the most produced in huge quantities. Its was a bolt-action rifle with Mauser-type action that holds five rounds of 7.92x57 mm on a stripper clip with a internal magazine. It was derived from the earlier older versions, namely the Karabiner 98b which itself had been developed from the Mauser Model 1898. The Gewehr 98 or Model 1898 took its principles from the Lebel Model 1886 rifle with the improvement of a metallic magazine of five cartridges. See Mauser for more.

The rifle was noted for its good accuracy and effective range of up to 500 meters. For this reason it was also used with a telescopic sight as a sniper rifle which extended the effective range up to about 800 m with a skilled marksman. The 98k had the same disadvantages as all other turn of the century military rifles, that being comparatively bulky and heavy, and a limted rate of fire by how fast the bolt could be operated. It was also designed to be used with a bayonet and to fire rifle grenades. A version with a folding stock was introduced in 1941 to be used by airborne troops.

Since it was shorter then the earlier carbines, it was given the designation Karibiner 98 Kurz, meaning Short Carbine Model 98. It was the standard rifle, though submachine guns were often preferred, especially for Urban combat where the rifle's range was not very useful. Towards the end of the war the 98k was being phased out in favor of the MP44, which was weaker but could be used like a submachine gun in close-quarters and urban fighting.

To see where the rifle fits in with other Mauser rifles, see Mauser

Russian Captured/Re-Arsenaled K98 rifles

During World War 2, The Russians captured millions of K98 rifles and re-arsenaled them in various arms factories in the late 1940's and 1950's. Within the last few years, shipments of these rifles have been imported into the United States and Canada for the civilian market and sell for as little as $150.

Characteristics of Russian Captured K98 rifles are: Hot-dipped blueing and red shellac on the stock.

Specifications

• Length: 111 cm
• Barrel length: 60cm
• Weight: 3.7-4.1kg
• Rate of fire: Approx. 15 rpm
• Wartime production: over 10 million
• Clip Size: 5 rounds

Cartridge - 7,92x57 mm
Initial velocity - 745 m/s
Weight - 4 kg
Range - Pratical 400 m, useful 2 000 m, max. 4 000 m
Length - 1110 mm / tube: 600 mm

See also

• List of common WWII infantry weapons,List of Axis firearms of WW2