Many people have asked the question "What is a Kriegsmodell?". Well, the answer is easy. The term Kriegsmodell is what the Germans used to define the simplified version of the standard 98k, or literally translated as "War Model". Many of the features of Kriegsmodell rifles were simply shortcuts instituted by the German armaments industry to speed up production of rifles at a time when quantities of guns were needed- not quality. Many of these changes were instituted in late 1944 (Nov.-Dec.) and were almost in full effect by January of 1945.

All manufacturers went to simplified versions to one degree or another, but the 2 most common terms thrown about are "Full Kriegsmodell" and "Semi Kriegsmodell". These terms are modern descriptions for collectors. A "Full Kriegsmodell" will have no bolt disassembly disc in the buttstock, a hole drilled in the buttplate to aid in disassembly, no band spring for the front and rear bands, no bayonet lug, and both bands will be held to the stock with screws. The only manufacturers to completely switch to the "Full Kriegsmodell" style were bnz and byf/svw. The others never fully switched over, and are known as "Semi Kriegsmodell".

 

A "Semi Kriegmodell" will have a mix of features, such as no bayonet lug or band spring, screws holding the front and rear band, but still have the standard buttstock with bolt disassembly disc- this style is found on dou and dot/swp marked rifles. On some bcd rifles, the stock will not have a disassembly disc, have a hole drilled in the buttplate, but still have the bayonet lug and bands held by a band spring- BCD never finished switching over, and 45 dated rifles will be found in regular configuration earlier in the 5 digit serial ranges.