Mauser 98K Unofficial Web Site.

Beginning in the fall of 1871, Mauser Industrial’s success started, when the German Army accepted the Mauser rifle as the primary firearm for the entire military establishment. Thanks to governmental support, Mausers quickly became very popular throughout the world, which in turn stimulated designers into constantly developing new and improved models of the basic weapon. The best of them is Gewehr 98, rifle which was unveiled in 1898. This was to become was a primary rifle of German army until the end of World War II. Advantages of Mauser rifles, while many, have the following outstanding features: The reliability of the bolt mechanism, and the precision workmanship that went into each and every weapon. These rifles were successfully converted into “sports and hunting” models which are still in widespread use today. Besides it was possible to shoot much stronger than standard 7.92 x 57 ammo.

Reliability of the Mausers bolt locking system depends on three locking-lugs. Two in front lock the bolt socket on barrel inlet (prior to the rounds entry into the bore) and one in the rear of the rounds opening. It was standard four movement bolt. This system is uncomfortable for most riflemen to get used to – he must move whole arm to reload rifle. A better solution was introduced in Lee-Enfield rifle, where the rifleman used only his wrist to reload the weapon. That’s why Mauser rifles never achieved the high firing rate of the Lee-Enfield rifles; those results were obvious on the battlefield when compared to the Lee-Enfield and the M-1 Garand rifle.

The first model of Gewehr 98 rifle was so-called “long rifle”. Whole length 125 cm (49,21 in); barrel length 74 cm (29,13 in). Soon developed was a shorter version, with 60 cm (23.62 in) barrel for artillery, cavalry and soldiers, whose primary task was not fighting “with rifle in hands”. In 1903 British and Americans developed their own “short rifles”, middle between “long” and “short” rifle – universal rifles. This idea was taken by Germans, what came about was the rifle 98 with an entire length of 94,5 cm (37,20 in) and barrel with length 43 cm (16,93 in), that soon replaced Gewehr 98 rifle and became the standard version of armament in the entire German army. The Rifle 98 was modified several times, what resulted in the model Kar 98k that was the standard rifle of Wehrmacht during WWII. It provides a non-removable magazine for 5 rounds cal. 7.92 mm; with a muzzle velocity of about 860 m/s. Mauser was used also by Polish Army as a standard rifle until 1939. Initially it was made in Warsaw, later in Radom.

The Mauser 98k was a very popular rifle in German army. It was the final modification of Mauser 98 rifle, developed on 1898. The Mauser 98k was very similar to his predecessor, but his barrel was shorter – it was 60 cm (23.62 in) length; in 98 model it was 74 cm (29.13 in) length. In 1935 it became primary Wehrmacht infantry weapon. Production continued thru until the end of war with approximately 11 millions weapons produced in several versions. Minor modifications were made such as to the bolt but nothing significant was changed again. One of the most popular variations of this rifle was the sniper version which was equipped with either a ZF 41 or ZF 42. This version was popularized in the recent motion picture, “Enemy at the Gates”.

The Mauser rifle has existed in many sport versions throughout the world, quite a few examples were brought home by the allied servicemen at the end of the Second World War. These were then modified for use by civilians for hunting purposes. The design of the safety is by far the simplest but by far the most reliable. It is among one of the safest rifles that exist even by today’s standards. One of the other innovations was the cocked indicator for the weapon. It is obvious to a rifleman that the weapon is cocked, even in the darkest of nights. All one has to do is feel the rear of the bolt and if it is cocked the rear area of the bolt is protruding. The safety itself consists of a handle or blade that is on the rear of the bolt assembly. It has three positions as you look at the bolt from the rear in the shooting position. With the handle full to the left the rifle is in the “firing position” with the handle in the vertical position the rifle is on safe, but the bolt can be opened to unload or reload the weapon. And when the handle is in the full right position the weapon is on full safety. In other words you cannot pull the trigger nor can you open the bolt. The two stage military trigger is also of exceptional quality. It is designed for the common soldier to learn his trigger and breathing control quite well. One of the lesser known accessories for this weapon was the grenade launcher adapter. This consisted of the actual launcher, which attached to the front of the rifle barrel, and the grenade launcher sight which aided in placing the rifle grenade on target. These items were carried in a leather bag normally on the left side of the soldier’s waist belt.

Thanks for translate going to Crow & my Friend Marvin !!