Kaiserliche Schutztruppen G98 - for the German Camel Corps

Published on July 18, 2018
Duration: 8:19

This review details a rare Kaiserliche Schutztruppen Gewehr 98 used in German South West Africa. Key features include a factory-bent bolt handle for saddle scabbards and a unique rear sight calibrated from 200 meters. Only 1,000-1,500 were issued, with most lost during WWI after South African forces under Jan Smuts took control.

Quick Summary

The Kaiserliche Schutztruppen Gewehr 98 featured a factory-bent bolt handle for easy saddle scabbard use and a rear sight calibrated from 200 meters, differing from the standard 400-meter minimum. These rifles are rare due to limited issue (1,000-1,500) and losses during WWI in German South West Africa.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Rare German G98
  2. 00:58Historical Context: German Colonies
  3. 02:20WWI and Jan Smuts' Campaign
  4. 04:11Technical Feature: Bent Bolt Handle
  5. 05:23Technical Feature: Rear Sight Calibration
  6. 06:28Markings and Unit Disc

Frequently Asked Questions

What made the Kaiserliche Schutztruppen G98 unique for colonial use?

This G98 variant featured a factory-bent bolt handle, crucial for use with the Camel Corps, allowing the rifle to fit easily into saddle scabbards without snagging. It also had a rear sight calibrated from 200 meters instead of the standard 400 meters.

Why are these German colonial G98 rifles so rare?

Only about 1,000 to 1,500 of these specific G98 rifles were sent to German South West Africa. Many were lost, destroyed, or worn out during combat and the harsh environment, especially after WWI began and South African forces took control.

What does the 'KS' marking on the rifle signify?

The 'KS' marking on the unit disc found in the buttstock stands for 'Kaiserliche Schutztruppen,' which translates to Imperial Security Troops. This identifies the rifle as belonging to Germany's colonial military forces.

How did the rear sight differ on the colonial G98?

Unlike standard Gewehr 98 rifles whose 'Lange Visier' rear sights start calibration at 400 meters, this colonial version was marked to begin at 200 meters. This modification was likely necessary due to different operational requirements or sighting practices in the colonial theater.

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