Posted on 12/05/2018 5:03:48 AM PST by w1n1
THE GERMAN MAUSER KARABINER 98 KURZ, or K98k, is a true phoenix from the ashes of WWI, and despite the challenges faced by its creators, it fulfilled its purpose during WWII, is respected by gun enthusiasts around the world and has served as a stable platform for the development of modern rifles for almost 100 years.
After the Great War, nations around the world realized the need to improve standard military rifles. American military planners studied the effectiveness of bolt-action repeating rifles, and concluded there was a need to develop a semiautomatic infantry rifle. The Germans, on the other hand, were saddled with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. The signing of the treaty on June 28, 1919, not only officially ended World War I, but restricted the German army to 100,000 men and forbade the country from producing military weaponry.
BY JUNE 21, 1935, the K98k was officially adopted as the German service rifle. Its 24-inch barrel and overall 43-inch length is much shorter than the Gew 98. Without a bayonet, ammunition or a sling the K98k weighs 8.38 pounds. With iron sights it has a 550-yard effective firing range, which is increased to over 1,000 yards when fitted with a telescopic sight. The rifle holds five 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridges (originally 197.5 grain), which can be loaded from a stripper clip or one by one.
Like a Porsche, the K98k is German perfection in design and engineering, and carries this ideal through multiple features, but its heart and soul is its Mauser M98 action. Why is the Mauser action so much better than other bolt-action systems? It exemplifies two words: strength and reliability. Read the rest of Mauser 98K.
I own an earlier version made for the Argentine army.
Mine is in 95 + condition, probably used as a parade weapon.
All the numbers match and the wood is very good.
Yeah, it’s heavy.
Got two of them.
One of the best bolt-action rifles ever made.
And to think, back in 1962, certain congressional members wanted all 5 shot bolt action army surplus rifles banned from import “because of crime”. Actually it was to protect local industries such as Winchester, Remington and Savage from competition. Why should some poor farmer get a $10 dollar rifle for deer hunting when he should be buying a $45 dollar rifle instead!
They got their ban in 1968. So a rifle made for the military was suddenly “evil” and the same rifle made for a police force was “good”.
This stupidity finally came to an end in the mid 1980s.
I have one made for the Chilean army. Still has the paint on the Loews of Berlin and Chilean crest. Wood is unpolished but good. Can still see the stampings on the stock.
My dad had the 8mm model with a cushioned sportsman stock and adjustable peep sights. He donated it to the church auction when he quit hunting. I remember the eagle w/ swastika stamp(s) on the barrel.
I have 1 converted to 7.62 ,love it
The only criticism of my gun would be the loss of the Argentine crest.
The crest was scraped off prior to being resold...
It’s still a beauty.
They are beauties.
While Mauser no longer produces military rifles they do make hunting rifles.
The safety is the as the ones on ours.
It wasn’t broke so they didn’t fix it.
Model 1891?I have one of those,I would still consider it to be combat effective.
Here is a little known detail. German rifle companies made their rifles made for the German military out of steel from German mined steel and the export models were made of foreign steel. The purpose was to ensure that the internal mining and manufacturing base were maintained. And the export contracts required a higher level of fit and finish (competition does raise standards). However, the steel from South American countries is better steel. So the South American Mauser rifles are higher quality than their German Army counterparts.
Interesting!
Yes.
1891.
Still slick...
It amazes me that they would put 2 digits of the serial number on tiny screws in the midst of fighting a 2 front war.
Even the cleaning rod had a matching number...
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