1903 Erfurt Kar 98 1st Variation

[AN-94]

In my usual online search for Imperial rifles, I stumbled upon this beauty being listed for auction in Germany. I figured it was worthy of being posted purely for reference. Looks to be chambered for S-Patrone with the later rear sight base but early 2-1200 rear sight leaf. Is it known how many of the first variation were made vs how much of the later variation? Now, if there's anyone in Germany who has a boat load of cash, it'd be hard to top this one

 

[biggymu]

Zoyks! Might be the only one in existence in that condition, please let us know the outcome. Amazing.

 

[MichaelWC]

There are four variants of this type of carbine. There was Kav.Kar.98, Art.Kar.98, Kar.98 1st variant and Kar.98 2nd model. I actually catalog these. This one was cataloged by Heinz Lehner in the 1980s.

1903/Erfurt/1106/Kar.98 E.J. IV.8. Private collection. This Kar.98 is a Kar.98 1st variant.

Here is my list of known carbines.

Known surviving Kav.Kar.98, Art.Kar.98 and Kar.98 1st variant and 2nd model.

I made this list mostly for fun and because I keep track of the ones used by Schutztruppe. I took the list that is in Ball, R. (2011). Mauser Military Rifles of the World (5th ed.). I have added to that list. Of ones I have found over the years. I know there's probably more. If you have one and...

www.k98kforum.com

Here is my little write up on these carbines.
With the German Army adopting the Mauser designed Gewehr 1898 in April, 1898, is well known. Also in 1898-1902 two different carbines models appeared. The M98 cavalry known as the Kav.Kar.98 and the M98 artillery carbine also known as the Art.Kar.98. These two carbines replaced the M88 carbine and M91 rifle.
With the world watching the second Boer War, in which mounted Infantry played a key rule in the war. This may have encouraged the ideas to issue a carbine with a attachable bayonet to the cavalry. This carbine design is now known as the Kar.98 1st variant was introduced in Prussia by an Imperial Cabinet Order of the 6th of February 1902 and would be manufactured till 1905.
In October 1903 the Ministry oreder MG detachment to be equipped with a new pattern of carbine. This model would become known as Kar.98 2nd model and also would be manufactured till 1905. However the new carbines for S rounds evinced such great flaws that the Prussian War Ministry ordered the their production to be discontinued as early as January 1905. According to the numbers ascertained by Heinz Lehner, more than 20,000 short carbines were constructed and at least 16,000 of them standard carbines adapted for the S ammunition.
These carbines can be seen in arms museums and private collections.On the other hand, early military Model 98 carbines are generally unknown. The reason is that only a small number was manufactured, from 1898-1905, and most of them went to the Kaiserliche Schutztruppe in Africa and the Deutsches Ostasiatische Expeditionskorps. When Germany lost Great War in 1918 those arms remained in Africa, and only a few have survived to this very day.

 

[AN-94]

Figured I'd post the results of this one, it sold today for €15k! Link for the auction listing below. Also, thanks for the write up Michael! It's a very interesting read and makes me wonder how many ended up staying with MG detachments within continental Europe and if they ever found their way onto the battlefields on the Eastern/Western fronts rather than being colonial only firearms.

https://www.auctionzip.com/auction-lot/militaerische-ordonanzwaffen-deutschland-carbine-_03F4785B46