Karabiner 98k

Karabiner 98k
Karabiner 98k made in 1940 from the collections of the Swedish Army Museum
TypeBolt-action rifle
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
In service1935–present
Used bySee Users
WarsSee List of conflicts and wars
Production history
Designed1934
ManufacturerMauser (augmented by several other makers)
Unit cost55 ℛ︁ℳ︁ (1935)
250 EUR current equivalent
Produced1934–1945
No. built14,600,000+[1][2]
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass3.7–4.1 kg (8.2–9.0 lb)[3]
Length1,110 mm (43.70 in)
Barrel length600 mm (23.62 in)

Cartridge7.92×57mm Mauser[3]
ActionBolt-action[3]
Muzzle velocity760 m/s (2,493 ft/s)
Effective firing range500 m (550 yd) with iron sights
800 or 1,000 m (870 or 1,090 yd) with telescopic sight
Maximum firing range4,700 m (5,100 yd) with s.S. Patrone
Feed system5-round stripper clip, internal magazine
SightsIron sights or telescopic sight.

The Karabiner 98 kurz (German: [kaʁaˈbiːnɐ ˌʔaxtʔʊntˈnɔʏntsɪç ˈkʊɐ̯ts]; 'carbine 98 short'), often abbreviated Karabiner 98k, Kar98k or K98k and also sometimes incorrectly referred to as a K98 (a K98 is a Polish carbine and copy of the Kar98a), is a bolt-action rifle chambered for the 7.92×57mm Mauser cartridge. It was adopted on 21 June 1935 as the standard service rifle by the German Wehrmacht.[1] It was one of the final developments in the long line of Mauser military rifles.

Although supplemented by semi-automatic and fully automatic rifles during World War II, the Karabiner 98k remained the primary German service rifle until the end of the war in 1945.[4] Millions were captured by the Soviets at the conclusion of World War II and were widely distributed as military aid. The Karabiner 98k therefore continues to appear in conflicts across the world as they are taken out of storage during times of strife.

  1. ^ a b K98k Mauser Page Archived 2007-03-29 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 28 March 2007.
  2. ^ French K98k and G40k Page—go to "sommaire" at the bottom of the page to use the index (in French) Archived 2008-02-02 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference giwarchive was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Klein, Christopher (13 June 2023). "What and when did WWII end". History.Com.