Karabiner 98k
Mauser · Rifle · Discontinued · 1935
Also known as: K98k, Kar98k, Karabiner 98 kurz, Mauser K98
Overview
The Karabiner 98k is a bolt-action rifle chambered in 7.92x57mm Mauser, produced by Mauser since 1935. Featuring a 5-round magazine capacity, this rifle offers compact firepower.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3900 g (137.6 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4000 g (141.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1110 mm (43.70") |
| Barrel Length | 600 mm (23.62") |
| Sight Radius | 500 mm (19.69") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 27 N (6.1 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 760 m/s (2493 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3700 J (2729 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2000 m (2187 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 15 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.92x57mm Mauser · primary — also known as 8mm Mauser, 8x57mm IS, 8x57mm JS, 7.92x57mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Stripper Clip, Internal Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Cocking Piece Lock
- Features: Turned Down Bolt Handle, Stripper Clip Loading, Bayonet Lug, Iron Sights, Optics Capable, Rifle Grenade Capable
Variants
- Karabiner 98k Sniper — Sniper
- Karabiner 98k Kriegsmodell — Simplified
- Gewehr 98 — Predecessor
Service history
Operators
- Wehrmacht · adopted 1935 · as Karabiner 98 kurz
- Waffen-SS · adopted 1935 · as Kar98k
- Soviet Armed Forces · adopted 1945
- People's Liberation Army · adopted 1945 · as Chiang Kai-shek Rifle
- Israel Defense Forces · adopted 1948
- French Armed Forces · adopted 1945
- Norwegian Armed Forces · adopted 1945
- Romanian Armed Forces · adopted 1945
- Yugoslav People's Army · adopted 1945
- Czechoslovak People's Army · adopted 1945
- Finnish Defence Forces · adopted 1940
- Turkish Armed Forces · adopted 1945
- Syrian Armed Forces · adopted 1945
- Iraqi Armed Forces · adopted 1945
- North Vietnamese Army · adopted 1954
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
- 1948 Arab-Israeli War (1948-1949)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Production
Estimated total produced: 14,600,000 · Production years: 1935-1945
Approximately 14.6 million produced between 1935-1945, including 132,000 sniper variants. Production cost averaged 67-70 Reichsmarks per rifle.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Paul Mauser
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
In late 1944, the Kriegsmodell variant was introduced with simplified manufacturing to increase wartime production, omitting features like the bayonet lug, cleaning rod, and stock disk. The rifle could mount the Zielfernrohr 41 (ZF41) 1.5x scope or more powerful 4x scopes for sniper use. The standardized Schiessbecher grenade launcher attachment allowed firing of rifle grenades. Post-war, millions of captured Kar98k rifles were redistributed by the Soviet Union as military aid and saw service in numerous conflicts through the 1970s. Israel notably converted many to 7.62x51mm NATO. The Kar98k remains highly regarded by collectors and is still used in ceremonial roles by some militaries today. Production costs during WWII averaged 67-70 Reichsmarks per rifle.
Background
The Kar98k's Mauser M98 bolt action was so reliable and influential that it became the basis for virtually every bolt-action sporting rifle made in the 20th century. After WWII, millions of captured Kar98ks were redistributed globally by the Soviet Union, seeing continued combat service well into the 1970s. Israel famously converted many captured examples to 7.62 NATO for its own defense forces.