Gewehr 98 to K98k: what actually changed

Barrel length dropped from the Gew 98’s 740 mm class to the K98k’s 600 mm class. The Lange rear sight of the infantry rifle was replaced by a tangent sight on the K98k. The bolt handle was turned down. The sling moved to the side of the stock. The stock became a k98 pattern with a cupped buttplate as production matured, and later a laminated blank. The cleaning rod and band arrangement were revised. The Kar 98a is a third shape: carbine length, stacking hook, different band.

What did not change is the 98 controlled-round-feed action and the 7.92×57 cartridge. A collector who cannot tell a Lange leaf from a tangent, or a stacking hook from a K98k front band, is not yet reading the rifle.