The K98 Mauser is a result of the lessons learned during World War One. A shortened version of the Gew98, which was the backbone of the Imperial German Army, it is a well-engineered example of a bolt action rifle, although even by the time it was being introduced, it had already been superseded by the French MAS 36 and was being consigned towards its logical evolutionary dead end (along with the MAS 36) by the advent of semi-automatic firearms. It featured a 5-round integral magazine and while effective in the moderate climate of Europe, the later offensive into Russia demonstrated the limitations of the K98, along with all the other high-tolerance engineered German small arms.
The example here is a rifle produced by Mauser (maker's code 42) in 1940. The parts are entirely correct regarding the Waffenamt for a rifle produced by Mauser at this particular time. Interestingly enough, the raised butt plate is incorrect for the period, but was actually produced by the same sub-contractor who had produced the flush ones on the original model. The Image below is of the bayonet for the rifle in original frog and with the correct bakelite grips.
Cleaning kit for the K98. Photo shows the chain-link pull-through and top of the bakerlite oil bottle.
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