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Arsenal/Firearm/Kar98k
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Germany · Historical · limited service

Kar98k

Bolt-action service rifle

The compact Mauser 98-pattern 7.92×57 mm rifle that served as Germany’s standard infantry rifle during the Second World War.

Introduced1935
SpeedApprox. 15 aimed rounds/min
RangeApprox. 500 m effective
CrewIndividual weapon
Platform profile

Technical overview

Manufacturer
Mauser and German contractors
Primary role
Bolt-action service rifle
Dimensions
1,110 mm length · approx. 3.9 kg
Operators
Germany and numerous post-war users (historical)
Variants
Kar98k · sniper configurations
Operational status
Historical · limited service
Complete platform dossier

Kar98k details

Identity

Full name
Kar98k
Type
Bolt-action service rifle
Designer / lineage
Mauser 98 design lineage
Country of origin
Germany
Entered service
1935–1945 as primary German rifle; later worldwide
Calibre
7.92×57 mm Mauser

Operational roles

  • Standard infantry rifle
  • Sniper use with optical sight
  • Post-war military and ceremonial service

Variants

Standard Kar98k
Infantry service pattern
Sniper configurations
Selected rifles fitted with optics
Post-war production
Licensed and derivative patterns

Performance

Effective range
Approx. 500 m effective
Cyclic / practical rate
Approx. 15 aimed rounds/min
Overall dimensions
1,110 mm length · approx. 3.9 kg

Operating mechanism

  • Bolt action

Design features

  • Controlled-round-feed Mauser action
  • Front-locking dual lugs with safety lug
  • Five-round internal magazine
  • Tangent rear sight

Sighting and handling

  • Iron sights supplied as standard
  • Handling and sight arrangement vary by production model and service configuration

Ammunition and feed

Cartridge
7.92×57 mm Mauser
Feed system
5-round internal box magazine, stripper-clip loaded
Fire control
Varies by model; see platform role and variant

Core dimensions

Barrel length
600 mm
Overall size
1,110 mm length · approx. 3.9 kg

Strengths

  • Strong and dependable action
  • Good accuracy with service ammunition
  • Influential Mauser 98 mechanism

Limitations

  • Five-round capacity
  • Slower follow-up shots than self-loading rifles
  • Full-power cartridge produces substantial recoil

Operators and customers

Germanynumerous post-war users

Interesting facts

  1. It was Germany’s standard service rifle during the Second World War.
  2. The Mauser 98 action strongly influenced later sporting and military rifles.