Karabiner 98k

Karabiner 98k Mauser
Specifications
Type	Bolt-action rifle
Caliber	7.92mm
Feed System	5 Round Clip
Muzzle Velocity	745m/s
Maximum Effective Range	800m

History

The Karabiner 98k (often abbreviated Kar 98k or K 98k) was a bolt-action rifle adopted as the standard infantry rifle by the Wehrmacht, and was one of the final developments in the long line of Mauser military rifles.

In 1898, Mauser introduced a fine bolt-action rifle, the Gewehr (Rifle) 98 that Germany adopted and used in World War I. It used a Mauser-type action and held five rounds of 7.92x57mm (also known as 8mm Mauser) ammunition on a stripper clip, loaded into an internal magazine.

After the war, the Wehrmacht decided to modify the rifle. Although the Wehrmacht desired a shorter and less bulky gun, the new version, the Karabiner (Carbine) 98b, despite its name (a carbine is a short-barreled gun) was the same length as the Gewehr 98 and incorporated only some fairly minor changes.

By the time Germany invaded Poland, the Kar 98b had at last shrunk a little. The 140mm (5.51in) shorter and otherwise improved rifle was based on a commercial Mauser design called the Standard Model (Standard Model), and in military service was known as the Karabiner 98k (the “k” stood for kurz, meaning “short”). Even though it was called short, it was still fairly long for a carbine.

The 98k went into production in 1935, and served throughout World War II as Germany’s standard rifle. During the war, factories churned out huge quantities of 98ks which proved to be reliable and accurate arms. Due to shortages of raw materials, time, and skills, the aesthetic appearance of the guns deteriorated as the war went on. The expensive wooden stock and other wooden parts were replaced with laminated wood, and the finish grew rougher.

The German soldier prized his 98k for its accuracy. The 98 family of guns featured a light action that promoted sure shooting, although at the expense of speed - a Lee Enfield could get off more shots per minute. The 98k’s V-shaped rear sight marked off ranges from 100 m (109 yd) to 2,000 m (2,187 yd).

The Germans introduced various types of extras, including periscope and telescopic sights, and folding butts for airborne troops. The 98k acquired the ability to launch rifle grenades in 1941. The weapon is still in production today as a sporting rifle.

See Also

Infantry Weapons of Battleground Europe American Weapons Boys Anti-Tank Rifle ·Browning M1919A6 . BAR · M1903 Springfield · M1 Garand ·M1 carbine ·M1A1 Thompson · M3A1 Grease Gun · Mk 2 Fragmentation_Grenade · M8 Smoke Grenade · LG 50 mm mortar · M1911 Colt · M9 Bazooka British Weapons Boys Anti-Tank Rifle · Bren Mk II LMG · Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk I · M1928 Thompson · sten Mk II · No.36 Mills Bomb · No.77 Smoke Grenade · 2 inch mortar · Webley Pistol · PIAT French Weapons Boys Anti-Tank Rifle · FM 1924/29 LMG · Fusil MAS mle 1936 · Fusil MAS mle 1940 · Fusil mle 1886 M93 "Lebel · MAS.38 · Grenade à main offensive modèle 1915 · Grenade fumigène · LG 50 mm mortar · Pistolet mle 1935S · M9 Bazooka German Weapons Panzerbüchse 39 · MG-34 · Karabiner 98k· Gewehr 43 · Gewehr 41 · FG42 · STG44 · MP-40 · MP34 · Stielhandgranate 24 · Nebelhandgranate 39 · Granatwerfer 36 · Luger P08 · Panzerschreck 54 Italian Weapons Beretta Model 38 · Carcano Modello 1891 Universal Weapons Ammo Resupply Pack · Combat Knife · Satchel Charge