Mauser Rifles
Friedrich I of Württemberg constructed a royal weapons factory in Oberndorf, a small town in the Black Forest that opened on July 31, 1811. Another year later, the factory was opened for business and had 133 workers. Later that century in 1867 Paul and Wilhelm Mauser created a rifle using improved rotating bolt system for breechloaders that was based on the Chassepot. Four years later in 1871 the Mauser Model 1871 became the standard German infantry rifle. This model came in many different variations that were sold across borders with very large rounds (9.5mm – 11.5mm in caliber).
The Mauser company produced many successful rifles in its history, some of them are the already mentioned Model 1871, Model 66, Model 77, Model 86, Model 96 and the M98. In 1898 the German army purchased a Mauser design, the Model 98 incorporated improvements of the earlier rifles and it entered the German service under the name of Gew. 98 on April 5, 1898. The Karabiner 98k "Mauser" (often known as simply "K98k" or "Kar98k") was adopted in the middle of the 1930s and turned out to be the most common infantry rifle in service within the German army during the World War II.
Over the years, Mauser has produced many popular rifles that are used even today although many models have been discontinued. We will now offer you some of the most famous rifles that the company produced over its prolific history. We will start with the their newest model available on the market.
Useful Info :
Mauser M 98 Basic Model
 |
The Mauser M98 Basic Model has an overall length of 113 cm (about 44”) and a barrel length of 60 cm (about 23”). The weight of this rifle is approximately 3.6 kg (about 8 lbs) making it a light and easy to maneuver rifle. Regarding magazine capacity, 5+1 for standard calibers and 4+1 for magnum calibers. Some of the features include: 3 lugs and square bridge as well as steel PG cap. The entire rifle is built in the old style and design but according to up-to-date technologies.
Other features that the Mauser M 98 Basic Model offers would be the hand-rubbed oil-finish, the rosewood forearm tip, the high magazine capacity with easy loading capabilities and express sight with big rear sight and brass bead sight. The rifle comes in a selected, checkered walnut stock with cheekpiece and is equipped with a reliable 3-position wing safety. The Mauser M98 action is machined out of one solid piece of high-grade steel. The manufacturing is based on the initial drawings of 1936 and the respective Mauser patents.
We will continue our review with the standard German infantry rifle between 1898 and 1935 before it was replaced by the Karabiner 98k.
Mauser Gewer 98
 |
The Mauser Gewer 98 also known as the Gew 98 or simply G98 was the successor of the Model 1888 Commission Rifle in the German infantry service. This model was one of the last rifles Mauser introduced in the 1890s. The G98 was a bolt-action rifle that had an overall length of 1250mm and a weight of about 4.09 kilograms. The long rifled barrel measured 740mm and could carry up to 5 rounds of 7.92 x 57 mm Mauser ammunition in an internal magazine. The G98 was adopted on April 5th 1898 by the German Rifle Testing Commission.
This rifle came equipped with two sling swivels, a curved tangent-type rear sight (also known as the “Lange Visier“) and open front sights. The Mauser Gewer 98 was derived from the experimental, not so very popular, Gewehr 96 Rifle. The muzzle velocity of the rifle was 878m/s and the cartridge used was the 7.92×57mm Mauser. The rifle came in 3 configurations, as follows: Kar 98a, Kar 98b and Kar 98k. The effective range was 500 m (about 547 yards) using iron sights and 800+ m (about 875 yards) using optics.
We will end our review with a model that comes in a high quality steel configuration.
Mauser M 03 Extreme
 |
The Mauser M 03 Extreme comes with a highly functional synthetic stock. Made out of the finest steel available, this rifle is easy to carry and use in all weather conditions, making it a very versatile rifle. The high density and shatter-free stock boasts black non-slip elastomer inlays The fore end is specially reinforced for the placement of a bi-pod adapter. The rifle’s sling swivel is located on the tip of the fore end. Regarding calibers, there are many configurations like the .222 Rem, .22-250 Rem, .270 Rem, 7 mm Rem. Mag and .338 Win Mag.
The barrel length of the Mauser M 03 Extreme is 60.0 cm (about 25 inches) while the total length is 112.0 cm (about 44 inches). The weight of the M 03 depends on the barrel length and caliber and it starts from 3.5 kg (about 7.7 lbs). The plasma nitrated steel blends in perfectly with the dark gray color of the rifle’s synthetic stock.
We have offered you three of the most famous Mauser rifles ever produced in the long and prolific history of the company, a company that produces long lasting rifles that are known for their accuracy and resistance.