The German Karabiner 98K 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.

​

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 "S/42K" code stamped on top of the reciever indicating it was manufactured for Mauser, Obendorf. 

 

This is an early K98 made in 1934 and is one of the first ever produced

The receiver markings indicate this rifle was produced to hide Germany's rearmament effort. The proof marks feature "droop" wing eagles, which was transitionary before the Germans started using the Nazi waffenampts. 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. 

​

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