This should be done with the butt securely nestled in the groin. Traditional spring power lies at the heart of this rifle, (despite some confusion in certain quarters concerning a possible gas-ram version) and this needs the under-lever to be pulled down from the muzzle, all the way back until the trigger engages. All the main metal surfaces, barrel, compression cylinder, and under-lever, are treated to expertly applied chemical bluing, and with the woodwork evenly sealed and equally well finished, the prevailing impression is of a high-grade tool. I say all-metal, save for the trigger guard, which, given I had to tap it to confirm, looks so finely moulded, it easily passes on quality grounds. Indeed, an all-metal construction explains much of that weight, although this Mauser is a sizeable beast. All very nice and authentic, but there is perhaps one area where a small modern touch of refinement could have been sanctioned namely the butt! The totally smooth metal plate just wants to slide around the shoulder, and would benefit from a splash of rubber! QualityĪt 9.5lbs, it’s clear that this is an adults-only model, and part of that heft comes from the use of quality components. That includes that cut-out right through the wood at the rear to receive a sling.
Equally with the profile of the trigger, guard and the entire grip and rear butt section, all identical when compared to the original, there’s plenty for collectors to salivate over. The sturdy rear sight, though not the authentic tangent type is none the less fully adjustable via finger wheels and in the right place. Whilst the original carried all manner of variations through its long production run, the hooded bead fore-sight carried on in this Diana model certainly rings true for the most part. That authentic look is further enhanced by the protruding under-lever under the muzzle not entirely dissimilar, though a bit thicker from the visible barrel cleaning rod on the original.
The first detail to grab the eye is that full length, hardwood stock and with the inclusion of the top section (upper handguard), originally designed to alleviate the heat of the barrel on the hands, and a super robust sling mounting clip around the forend, it certainly looks the part. Yet it still manages to engender an authentic, not to mention quality feel, courtesy of some clever features, and Diana’s renowned reputation for solid engineering. The ‘K’ stands for Karabiner, or shortened rifle, yet at 44”, that seems something of a contradiction here! This Diana version is a bit of a departure from the original brief, given that the original cartridge version would have incorporated a full bolt action assembly. Post war 98 actions formed the basis of many European sporting rifles too and is still rated today, even in the face of modern competition. With over 14 million being produced by the end of World War II, it remains one of the most widely produced infantry rifles of all time so, it’s definitely a classic to add to any collection. The K98 was apparently manufactured by a variety of companies, including Erma, Oberndorf, J.P Sauer, and Steyr, as well as Mauser.
The K98 was adopted as the standard issue rifle of the German Army in 1935 and was an outgrowth of the original, full-length G98 used by Germany in World War 1. Based in Germany and whilst it’s not quite a true reproduction, it closely follows the profile of the famous war time model bearing the same name. Marked up as a Mauser K98, this model is manufactured by Mayer & Grammelspacher, perhaps better known as the company behind the Diana brand. However, this reasonably new design brand will, doubtless firmly appeal to the latter group mentioned and is undoubtedly an intriguing and unusual offering in equal measure. On test here is a rifle that my Editor (Pete Moore) was very keen to get my take on, as I’m more about accuracy and target-type shooting than I am about hunting. Shooting in general holds a wide appeal, but whilst many of us are undeniably obsessed with all things competition orientated, there’s an equally sizeable army of enthusiasts out there, that gain as much pleasure from the specialist militaria and collectables aspect of our sport.