The K98k Kriegsmodell,By late 1944 and early 1945 it was becoming readily apparent that Germany was

The K98k Kriegsmodell,By late 1944 and early 1945 it was becoming readily apparent that Germany was going to lose World War II.  The Soviets were closing in from the east, and despite a massive German counterattack the Allies continued to advance from the west.  As the Third Reich lost more and more territory Germany found itself in a situation where it needed more weapons produced from less resources.  One example was the K98k Kriegsmodell (war model).  Basically the Kriegsmodel was the same as the standard K98 infantry rifle, except simplified to increase production.  Features of the original K98 that were deemed unnecessary to the basic functioning of a rifle were removed.  The bayonet lug was removed, so that the unfortunate soldier who was issued one had to make due without a bayonet.  This saved not only the steel needed to make a bayonet lug, but also the steel needed to produce a bayonet.  The cleaning rod was removed, instead a cleaning kit was issued which was shared by a whole squad.  Other small variations were made such as the removal of the bolt guide, barrel band springs, and even the locking screws for the floorplate.  The most noticeable difference was the removal of the bolt disassembly disk located on the stock, which was a prominent feature of German Mauser military rifles.Instead the Kriegsmodell had a small pinhole stamped into the buttplate to use for bolt disassembly.  Other than missing parts, the Kriegsmodell was also usually made very crudely, with rough machining, and a rough hardwood stock that was often not finished.   -- source link

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