The evolution of German military rifles is a history of common and diverse paths followed by the separate German states, until the mid-19th century when Prussia emerged as the dominant state within Germany and the nation was unified. This article discusses rifled shoulder arms developed in or for the militaries of the states which later became Germany; it excludes firearms of the Austrian Empire, except where they were used substantially by German troops.
There was also a period in the late 20th century when Germany was again divided and the two nations had separate armies and weapons, in "Cold War" opposition. The various rifles used during this period are displayed here, identified by either East German or West German usage.
Read more about German Military Rifles: Early Jäger Rifles, Jäger Rifles (late 18th Century), 1810 Neue Korps-Jägerbüchse (Prussia), 1811 Kavalleriebüchse (Prussia), 1835 Neue Korps-Jägerbüchse (Prussia), Dreyse Needle Gun 1848 (Prussia), M.1854 Jäger Rifle (Bavaria), Vereingewehr 1856 (Württemberg, Baden, & Hessen), M.1858 Jäger Rifle (Bavaria), M1869 & M1869 "Aptiertes" Werder (Bavaria), Infanteriegewehr M.71, 1871 Mauser, Infanteriegewehr M.88, Gew. 88, Commission Rifle, Infanteriegewehr M.98, Gewehr 98, Gew. 98, Early Carbines Kar 98a, Kar98b, & Kar 98AZ, Karabiner 98K, Gewehr 41, Gewehr 43, Sturmgewehr (assault Rifles), Karabiner S—East German Forces, AK-47—East German Forces, G1—FN FAL (West Germany), CETME Assault Rifle Model 58 (West Germany), Heckler & Koch G3 (West Germany), Heckler & Koch G36
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