The original Kar98 carbines (not K98a) are very few and far between.

 

Yes, there were a few patterns of the early, short barrel Kar 98 carbine in very limited numbers as you show. The black & white photo shows two of the trials rifles that were tested leading to the eventual Kar 98AZ design that was adopted. The AZ designation was really the trials designation for the model that was accepted and was generally not used in period German reference after adoption, but it was commonly used in many other publications over the years and continues to linger on. It was just known as the " Kar. 98" then since the earlier, short barrel 98 carbines were not in widespread use by that time. The Kar.98a designation came later for that rifle to distinguish from the Kar. 98b developed after WW1. Sometimes official designations get cloudy at times. Take the Kar.88 and Gew. 91 models. Basically the same weapon except one has a stacking hook as is designated as a rifle rather than a carbine.

 

I think “AZ” served as a description rather than a designation

 

Great stuff, did not know there were that many variations of the Kar98, thanks for starting this conversation. Any thoughts on how many of each variant were actually produced?

 

The original 98 carbines were made from 1898 to 1907. There was two patterns of carbines. 1st pattern consisted of Kav.Kar.98 for the Calvary. Art.Kar.98 for the Artillery. Second pattern was the Kar98 and it's 1st variant. Biggest difference between both of them was their barrel bands. The biggest difference between the 1st and 2nd pattern of carbines. The 2nd pattern of carbines were equipped with a bayonet lug.

It would also appear that the Kar 98’s (with bayonet lug) made in 1903 did not have the barrel band, and that those made from 1904 onwards had this band to reinforce the bayonet lug. I am not sure of the exact cut-off date. No doubt this was a weakness, and hence the addition of the wide barrel band.
The artillery and cavalry carbines were both trials rifles, and were rejected in favour of the Kar 98’s (with bayonet lug) which became known as “Einheitskarabiner” or universal carbine.

I would highly advise you to buy Dr. Dieter Storz. Rifle & Carabine 98 M98 Firearms of the German Army from 1898 to 1918. That known examples list is from the 80's. It was updated in the mid 2000's by Robert ball. I updated balls list a couple months ago. Here is the link.

Known surviving Kav.Kar.98, Art.Kar.98, Kar98 1st...

I made this list mostly for fun and because I keep track of Kar98 used by the Schutztruppe for my book I am slowly writing. I took the list that is in Ball, R. (2011). Mauser Military Rifles of the World (5th ed.). I have added to the list. Of ones I have found over the years. I know there's...

www.gunboards.com

These three carbines are owned by my friend who lives in South Africa.

 

It is often overlooked that the "K98s" were not a straight-line evolution. The earliest ones, with spoon bolt handles and stocked to the muzzle, were all large-ring 98s like the Gew. 98. The later arms designated as carbines represented a design detour --actually a considerably different gun-- utilizing a small-ring receiver, a tapered, not stepped, barrel, and a recurved trigger guard and stock bands of unique form. The Germans apparently liked its length, but little else. When they finally decided to standardize on a short rifle that ultimately became the Karabiner 98k, they abandoned those features and reverted to the large-ring receiver, stepped barrel, and more conventional trigger guard and bands.

M