During World War I, the German Army had decided that it’s standard Rifle, the Gewehr 98, was too long for effective use. By 1924, Mausers had developed a shorter rifle, but it did not enter full production until 1935 as the Karabiner 98k. Millions of these weapons in several variants were made before Germany’s defeat in 1945.

KARABINER 98K
Type: Bolt-Action Rifle
Caliber: 7.92mm
Length: 43.6 in (1.1075 m)
Length of Barrel: 23.6 in (0.739 m)
Weight: 8.6 lb (3.9 kg)
Muzzle Velocity: 2,477 ft (755 m)
Feed: 5-round fixed box magazine

Teething problems with the Rifle No 1, introduced in 1907, led to consideration of replacement. The P.13 development model of 1913 was based on modified Mauser bolt action, but further work of the P.14 definitive model was postponed until 1915, when a variant in 0.303in caliber was ordered from American manufactures for service as the Rifle No 3 MK I (see specification). In 1940, British-made No 3 rifles were converted for sniper use, and this saw limited service up to 1943. Work on the design of a newer rifle started during 1924. The new weapon was the Rifle No 4 Mk I that first appeared in 1931, although the UK’s straitened financial circumstances of the period meant that full-scale manufacture did not start until 1940. The No 4 Mk I was more accurate that earlier models due to its heavier barrel and longer sight base. However, it was rushed into production in 1940 which led to several teething problems when it entered full-scale service the following year.

RIFLE NO 3 MK I
Type: Bolt-Action Rifle
Caliber: 0.303 in
Length: 46.25 in (1.175 m)
Length of Barrel: 26 in (0.66 m)
Weight: 9.62 lb (4.37 kg)
Muzzle Velocity: 2,500 ft (762 m) per second
Feed: 5-round fixed box magazine
RIFLE NO 4 MK I
Type: Bolt Action Rifle
Caliber: 0.303in
Length: 44.43 in (1.129 m)
Length of Barrel: 25.2 in (0.64 m)
Weight: 9.125 lb (4.14 kg)
Muzzle Velocity: 2,465 ft (751 m) per second
Magazine: 10-round detachable box magazine

The Fucile Modello 91 was the first rifle of Mauser-Paravicino or Mannlicher-Carcano type to be taken into service with the Italian Army. This took place in 1892, and the bolt action was that of Mauser Gewehr 1892 modified with a Carcano bolt-sleeve safety mechanism. The Modello 91 was the Italian Army’s standard rifle in World War I and was still in use when Italy entered World War II, when Italian leader Mussolini invaded France in 1940. The Fucile Modello 38 was the first rifle created for a new Italian 7.35mm cartridge. The rifle was in fact a straightforward development of the 6.5mm Modello 91 weapon with a large-caliber barrel and modified sights. The weapon entered service in 1938, but was revised to fire the older 6.5mm cartridge (most existing rifles were fitted with a new barrel). After Italy’s exit from World War II in 1943, the Germans took over stocks of the weapons

FUCILE M91
Type: Bolt-Action Rifle
Caliber: 6.5mm
Length: 50.6 in (1.285m)
Length of Barrel: 30.7 in (0.78)
Weight: 8.4 lb (3.8 kg)
Muzzle Velocity: 2,067 ft (630) per second
Feed: 6-round fixed box magazine

Type: Bolt-Action Rifle
Caliber: 6.5mm and 7.35mm
Length: 40.2 in (1.02 m)
Length of Barrel: 21.2 in (0.54 m)
Weight: 7.6 lb (3.45 kg)
Muzzle Velocity: 2,320 ft (707 m) per second
Feed: 6-round fixed straight box magazine

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