In 1898, the German army introduced a new rifle that would determine not only the armament of German armed forces, but also that of many other countries until the middle of the 20th century. This book comprehensively covers the history of the 98 rifles and carbines in their country of origin between 1898 and 1918. The volume is based primarily on the collections of Germany's major military history museums, such as the Bavarian Army Museum in Ingolstadt, the Military Technology Study Collection in Koblenz, and the Military History Museum of the German Armed Forces in Dresden. The German Historical Museum in Berlin and the Royal Army Museum in Brussels also made their collections available for this book. After years of research in the archives in Munich, Dresden, Stuttgart, and Suhl, new data, facts, and connections can now be presented to the public. Previously unknown test rifles, which date back to the Prussian Rifle Testing Commission, allow us to reconstruct for the first time the path that led to the new weapon. Unusual model variants and special samples such as telescopic rifles, accessories, ammunition, sidearms, and many other rifle-related items are also presented in detail in pictures and text.

The book is not limited to describing the objects, but also sheds light on their historical, military, and technical backgrounds. Readers learn how weapons were used by troops, how rifles and carbines were maintained at the time, how and according to what principles shooting training was conducted in times of peace and war, and what role the rifle played in combat. The book also deals in detail with technical changes, manufacturing processes, the organization of mass production, the state and private arms industry, production figures, and problems with the supply of weapons during the First World War.