The German Karabiner 98K (Russian Capture) is a controlled-feed bolt-action rifle based off the Mauser M98 design. The K98 was designated as the standard service rifle by the German Wehrmacht (Unified armed forces of Nazi Germany) chambered in 7.92x57mm Mauser and has most of the same features as a standard Mauser. The German K98K started seeing production in the mid 1930’s. The K98, unlike its predecessor, the Gewehr 98, has a turned down bolt handle instead of a straight one. Which makes it easier to quickly operate the bolt. This rifle also can allow optics to be mounted directly above the receiver. The metal parts on the receiver were “blued,” an anti-corrosive procedure that resulted in the metal receiving a bluish black tint. After 1944, parkerizing was introduced as a more effective treatment and was implemented on most of these rifles.

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The German KAR98K can be identified via the markings on the left side of the barrel, on top of the barrel, under the rear sight, the bottom of the trigger guard, the bolt, and the cartridge ejector. The K98 receivers were stamped with a factory code displaying the date and the location of where they were manufactured. If they were manufactured before 1937, they had a prefix letter 'S/' and then a specific number designated where it was located. After 1937 most manufactures dropped the 'S/' prefix and just gave a letter code to deginate the manufacture. This specific K98 has a 'byf' code stamped on top of the reciever indicating it was manufactured for Mauser in Oberndorf am Neckar. Also had the numbers '44' stamped on top of the reciever which means it was manufactured in 1944.

 

This specific K98 was captured by the Soviet Union and refurbished by them. This is known because of the 'X' stamp on the top of the receiver and also the many electro-penciled parts. The Soviets made no effort at all to match the rifle's original parts by serial number during reassembly. The serial numbers can also be found on the bolt, receiver, trigger guard and sometimes on the rear sight. The K98 has an effective range of 500 meters with iron sights and 1,000 meters with an 8x telescopic sight. Many of the Russian capture KAR98K rifles also feature a very distinct blued finish, which was done during the rebuild. This distinction can be seen on parts where the finish has a reddish hue.

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The German KAR98K operates with a manual of arms that is comparable to a standard Mauser.