Mauser 1898 Karabiner98 magazine bolt-action rifle 7.92×57mm
| 01. Original name | Mauser K98AZ | |
| 02. Other official names | 7.92mm Infantry Rifle Model 1898 | |
| 03. Popular names | K98 | |
| 04. Chamberings | 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm) | |
| 05. Designed by | Waffenfabrik Mauser AG | |
| 06. Design date | 1905-1907 | |
| 07. In service date(s) | 1908 | |
| 08. Adopted by | Germany | |
| 09. Production quantities | Around 1,500,000 short rifles (of all variants) were produced by the end of WW1 | |
| 10. Mechanism | Bolt Action | |
| 11. Weight | 3.7kg (8.2lbs) | |
| 12. Mountings | Bayonet | |
| 13. Practicality in action | High | |
| 14. Comments / Other information | Adopted in 1908, the K98AZ essentially replaced the original K98 (K standing for Karabiner) which had been trialled in 1898 and made in Erfurt between 1903 and 1905. The new S-Patrone cartridge was too powerful for the short carbine causing excessive recoil as well as a foot-long muzzle flash. The longer barrelled carbine (in reality, a short rifle) was heavier and therefore reduced recoil and muzzle flash to an acceptable level. The action is similar to the G98 but the external diameter of the receiver ring is smaller. It was issued to the cavalry, foot artillery, bicyclists, pioneers, telegraphists, telephonists, as well as air, airship and transport units. It was later renamed the Kar98a. |