From the "Commission Rifle" to the Mauser 98: German Weapons in World War I
In today's video review we will talk about shooting weapons During World War I, specifically German rifles. The German army at the time had several rifle models in service, but the Gewehr 98 ultimately became the most popular and widely used.
It was developed by the renowned German designer and organizer of small arms production, Paul Mauser, which is why the rifle is also known by his name: the Mauser Model 98. It entered service in 1898 and remained the most modern rifle even into the early 15th century. In 1915, approximately 000 Gewehr 98 rifles were converted for sniper use with the installation of optical sights. The Gewehr 98, in various modifications, was used throughout World War I and remains popular among small arms connoisseurs and collectors to this day.
However, by the start of the full-scale war, the German army was armed primarily with the previous modification of the Gewehr 88, or Reichsgewehr ("state rifle"), caliber 7,92 mm. The rifle was developed by the Prussian arms company Gewehr Prüfung Kommission and began to be issued to troops in 1888 as their primary small arm. This weapon was a response to the French Lebel M1886 rifle of 1886 and even surpassed it in some characteristics.
By the start of the war, the Gewehr 88, which had been unofficially nicknamed the "commission rifle," was no longer in mass production. However, a decision was made to urgently resume its production, with some modifications. The weapon was not the most successful, suffering from a number of significant shortcomings, which are discussed in more detail in the lecture.
Ultimately, the Gewehr 88 rifle remained in service only with rear-echelon units of the German army. In 1915, it was temporarily adopted by front-line units due to a shortage of the Mauser 98, until mass production of more modern rifles could be established. Large quantities of unused Gewehr 88 rifles were shipped to the Ottoman Empire, Germany's ally in the war. A total of approximately 1,700,000 rifles of this type were produced.
In addition to infantry rifles, the German army adopted the Model 1888 carbine during World War I. This was essentially a lightweight rifle with a significantly shortened barrel. It lacked a bayonet and cleaning rod. The Gew 91 carbine, almost identical to the carbine, was issued to artillerymen and specialized units, including airship crews.
During World War I, Germany developed the experimental Mauser M1916 Selbstlader self-loading rifle. It was one of the first small arms of its type, but due to its small-scale production, it never became a mass-produced rifle.
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