Karabiner 98k (Sniper)
Mauser · Sniper Rifle · Out Of Production · 1935
Also known as: K98k Sniper, Scharfschützengewehr 98k, Kar98k ZF39, K98k mit Zielfernrohr
Overview
The Karabiner 98k sniper variant was the standard German sniper rifle of World War II, selected from standard K98k production for superior accuracy and fitted with various telescopic sights including the ZF39, ZF41, and ZF4. Approximately 132,000 scoped K98k rifles were produced during the war, serving on all fronts from Stalingrad to Normandy. The Mauser action's legendary strength and reliability, combined with the powerful 7.92x57mm cartridge, made it one of the most effective sniper weapons of the conflict.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4100 g (144.6 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4400 g (155.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1110 mm (43.70") |
| Barrel Length | 600 mm (23.62") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 25 N (5.6 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 760 m/s (2493 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3700 J (2729 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2000 m (2187 yd) |
| 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, 7.92x57mm IS, 8mm Mauser JS
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Internal Box Magazine, Stripper Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Three Position Wing Safety
- Features: Telescopic Sight Mount, Hand Selected Barrel, Controlled Round Feed, Mauser Claw Extractor, Iron Sights Retained
Variants
- K98k with ZF39 scope — Standard Sniper
- K98k with ZF41 scope — Short Range Sniper
- K98k with ZF4 scope — Late War Sniper
Service history
Operators
- Wehrmacht · adopted 1935 · as Karabiner 98k mit Zielfernrohr
- Waffen-SS · adopted 1935 · as K98k Scharfschützengewehr
- Norwegian Armed Forces · adopted 1945
- Israeli Defense Forces · adopted 1948
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- 1948 Arab-Israeli War (1948-1949)
Production
Estimated total produced: 132,000 · Production years: 1935-1945
Approximately 132,000 scoped sniper variants produced out of roughly 14.6 million total K98k rifles manufactured during WWII. Multiple manufacturers including Mauser Oberndorf, Sauer, Erma, and Steyr.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Paul Mauser / Mauser Werke
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
German sniper rifles used a variety of commercial and military scopes, with the most common being the Zeiss Zielvier 4x (ZF39) and the shorter-range ZF41 1.5x scope. The ZF41 was controversial as its low magnification made it more of a sharpshooter's aid than a true sniper scope. Late-war production saw increasing use of the ZF4 scope, a copy of the Soviet PU scope. German snipers were trained at specialized schools and were required to demonstrate consistent accuracy at ranges exceeding 600 meters. The K98k sniper rifles were hand-selected from production lines, test-fired for groupings, and only rifles capable of sub-2 MOA accuracy were accepted for scope mounting.
Background
Matthäus Hetzenauer of the Wehrmacht's Gebirgsjäger (mountain troops) recorded 345 confirmed kills on the Eastern Front using a K98k fitted with a 6x ZF39 scope, with his longest confirmed shot at 1,100 meters. Josef 'Sepp' Allerberger, another Austrian Gebirgsjäger, achieved 257 confirmed kills with the same rifle type. Both were awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for their service.