The Mauser Model 1898, or Gewehr 98, is arguably one of the the most important bolt action military rifle designs of the 20th century, if not all time. It earned a notable reputation for being ...

The Gewehr 98 had its baptism of fire during the Boxer Rebellion (1898-1901), and then in the colonial conflict/genocide in German Southwest Africa against the native Hereros.

The Gewehr 98 had attributes that made it modern and provided reliable function. Designed to be used with stripper clips, an infantryman could quickly load five rounds into its internal magazine.

Officially designated the Karabiner 98 Kurz or Kar98K, it wasn’t technically a “carbine” in the traditional sense, although there had been a carbine version of the Gewehr 98. Rather ...