G98 Mauser rifle facts for kids
The G98 Mauser rifle was a very important weapon used by Germany during World War I. It was a type of rifle called a "bolt-action" rifle. This means you had to pull a lever (the bolt) back and forth to load a new bullet after each shot. The G98 was the main rifle for German soldiers from 1898 until the war ended in 1918. Later, in 1935, a shorter version called the Kar98k took its place.
What Made the G98 Mauser Special?
The G98 Mauser wasn't the very first bolt-action rifle ever made. However, its design was so good that many other countries copied it! It became a blueprint for how many rifles would be built.
A Famous Rifle Design
The G98's design was very popular with militaries around the world. Many bolt-action rifles made in other countries were based on its clever ideas. For example, the American M1903 Springfield rifle and the Japanese Type 38 and Type 99 Arisaka rifles were all inspired by the G98. Even today, many modern bolt-action rifles still use the basic design ideas first seen in the G98. This shows how important and well-designed it was.
How the G98 Mauser Worked
The G98 rifle could hold up to five special bullets called 7.92 x 57mm Mauser rounds. It was also "clip-fed." This means soldiers could load many bullets at once using a metal clip, instead of putting them in one by one. This made reloading much faster during battles. The G98 was known for being strong, reliable, and accurate, which made it a trusted weapon for soldiers.
