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Information on the K98 Mauser

A variety of weapons were used during WW II.The Mauser K98 -- otherwise referred to as the Karabiner 98 Kurz or Kar 98K -- was adopted by the German army in 1934. This rifle was used until the end of WW II in 1945. The K98 is often sought after by military surplus collectors, due to special features that set the weapon apart from other rifles of its era.

Specs
- The Mauser K98 was made from a solid stock -- or a laminated stock on later models -- and machined steel. The weapon fires a heavy 7.92-by-57 round from a five-round, fixed-box magazine. The internal magazine is loaded via a stripper clip. The rifle's overall length from butt to muzzle is 43.7 inches. The K98 weighs approximately 9 lbs. when fully loaded, making it lightweight and more highly maneuverable than older Mauser models. The rear sight is a V-notch design, adjustable up to 2,000 m. The front sight is an inverted V-notch on earlier models; a sight hood was installed over the front sight on later models.
History
- The Mauser K98 was built from the frame of the Karabiner 98B, which was a redesigned version of the Gewehr 98. Paul and Wilhelm Mauser designed the Gewehr 98 in 1898; the rifle was used primarily in WW I, along with the K98B. The Mauser K98 Kurz was the name given to the new design. It was used from 1935 -- after adoption by the German Wehrmacht -- until the end of WW II in 1945. Karabiner 98 Kurz was a shortened version of the K98B. It fired a large round -- with greater range and accuracy -- up to 500 yards with iron sights. The name Karabiner 98 Kurz is translated to mean "carbine 98 short."
Sniper Use
- With the K98's superb accuracy, the weapon was often used by German snipers during WW II. The rifle was modified to fit a four or six-power German Zeiss Zielvier scope for long-range target acquisition. A skilled sniper could fire an accurate shot at slightly over 1,000 yards, during the right wind conditions and with the aid of a telescopic lens.
Combat Use
- The K98 was the primary battle rifle used by German troops in all theaters of WW II. Over time -- especially during trench warfare in Europe -- the K98 was modified to carry more rounds. A magazine extension was implemented by removing the magazine floor-plate. This allowed the weapon to hold 20 rounds, rather than only five. With the extended magazine, the K98 surpassed the firepower produced by fully automatic weapons and the British Lee-Enfield rifle.

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