The Kar.98b - The Long, Short Rifle Between the 98a & 98k

Today we take a look at a German Mauser variant that personally we find very interesting. Known as the Kar.98b or Karab.98b or even Gew.98b; this long, short rifle was manufactured by Simson & Co. of Suhl, Germany during the 1920s.
Basically, it was a slightly altered Gew.98 infantry rifle, but it is important historically as it really was the immediate forfather of the Kar.98k.
We compare the Kar.98b with an original Gew.98, as well as a Kar.98a from WWI and Kar.98k from WWII.
Visit ozarkbeararms.b... to read range reports and more articles on other firearms and accessories.

[@TheMosinCrate]

So glad to see your channel taking off finally. You're one of the smartest collectors I know Misha and thats quite a compliment since I know quite a few. Keep up the fantastic work!

[@jeffreyreardon7487]

The Mosin Crate interesting

[@meanjune]

Something about bolt actions. They're sooo fine.

[@turkey2003]

Love this channel!!! Very informative

[@ozarkbeararms8840]

Thank you much for watching.

[@coreyfaehrmann1580]

Another interesting one is the Gewehr 98M

[@reddevilparatrooper]

Mauser also produced the 1935 Commercial Model to compete against the CZ VZ 24 and Belgian M24s for the international market and Chinese market. I have seen some Mauser Obendorf 1935s in 7.92mm back in the early 90s come from China with straight bolt handles with stock cut outs for the bolt. Another one is also strange that this rifle is made by Mauser made for the Chilean Carabineros in 7mm Mauser with bolt handles turned down and stock cut outs again for the bolt. Both models were based on the K98K with different bolt styles. The Chinese copied the Commercial Model as the Chiang Kai Shek in their local arsenals because they could not get enough of them. The Chileans only bought enough to equip their Carabinero Cavalry. Somehow the rest of the 1935 Commercial models ended up with the Leibstandarte Regiment of the SS since they were not part of the regular German Army and were procured directly from Mauser. A few were also taken in by the German Post Office branch which guarded the mail. These rifles were made to pre-war standards of rich bluing method and precision machining standards to sporting rifles made by Mauser for hunters and sportsmen all over the world. These rifles were a select grade rifles made in the military configuration for certain foreign clientele after Germany went to full rearmament in 1935 to regain the worlds arms market again like they did before WWI. The 1935 Commercial Model I believe was the basis of the German standard service rifle for general issue. Once again the difference was the roll mark over the receiver was the date of 1935 MAUSER ORIGINAL. The last is a contract for Portugal in 1940 which is the same quality but in the German K98K model version. Many did not get delivered to Portugal but used by the German Army or SS because the war had already broken out after 1939.

[@monkeyking9291]

thank you so much for this information, now I knew my one is 98B, only different with yours is the blot, mine is straight, not folding.

[@MBCDC1]

Just to be sure... so is it possible to find a receiver with a "Gew 98" stamping on a "Kar 98b"? I ask because I have an Israeli Mauser with a .308 FN barrel but a receiver that is stamped "Gew 98" (Mauser/Oberndorf 1917) with a matching bolt with a bent bolt handle and I am trying to figure out the history of this rifle. So what do you think? Is it possible that this rifle started its life as a "Gewehr 98" in the German Emperial Army in WWI, was later in the 1920´s converted to a "Kar. 98b", went into WWII, was finally captured, sold to Israel and then rebarreld and restocked?

[@jeffreyreardon7487]

I have one too. Except not Israeli.
It has all the features if a "b" except cut out for bolt handle and pass through rear sight

[@WolvCustoms]

Woodpecker they never reply to questions

[@danm7298]

I just bought one of these i found on gunbroker. The guy didnt know it was a K98b and neither did i lol. Thats cool theyre actually pretty rare. I was wondering why it had the cutout for a turned bolt handle. I had to buy a few more parts to make it look more correct for a k98b tho. Luckily i found the right curved slot barrel band on ebay. Ive never seen another one for sale.

[@kostas3694]

What would you say one of them is worth ?

[@danm7298]

@@kostas3694 omg in tidays market? Im not sure. I paid 900 for the non matching 1915 obendorf i got. Try going on gunboards. Prices on Gun broker r going to be much higher. U may b able to get one for cheaper on there. I was told it was worth about 700. But i think thats a lil conservative just cuz of todays market

[@red_bakelit]

Спасибо за видео, не все слова понял, но было интересно.

[@paulmauser5076]

Super vidéo , très intéressant comme toujours.

[@ozarkbeararms8840]

Thank you,

[@akhladi2]

Thanks ...very good video

[@ozarkbeararms8840]

Thanks for watching.

[@Wilson2005WAW]

Just to confirm, this gun was designed as a carbine for the Germans to carry it during the Treaty of Versailles

[@andredanciu8402]

I love me some mausers

[@TheMrarthas]

first