World War II, the largest global conflict in human history, was fought over six long years during which military technology evolved and immediately put to use on the battlefield. Among the weapons used, the rifles wielded by infantry soldiers were perhaps some of the most prominent of the age.
To identify the rifles of World War II, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of rifles from Military Factory, an online database of arms, vehicles, and aircraft. We ordered the rifles based on when they entered service. We included supplemental information from Military Factory about the type of rifle, country of origin, manufacturer, action, range, as well as the caliber and feed.
One of the most famous rifles used in WWII was the M1 Garand, employed by the United States. It was highlighted by Gen. George S. Patton as “the greatest battle implement ever devised.” The rifle was semi-automatic with a capacity of eight rounds. It was renowned for its accuracy and rate of fire, providing the troops a significant advantage over most bolt-action adversary rifles. (Also see, the evolution of automatic rifles in the U.S. Army.)
The Mosin-Nagant, fielded by the Soviet Union, was a bolt-action rifle renowned for its reliable functionality in harsh environments. Its high muzzle velocity made it a valuable tool for the Russians on the Eastern Front, seeing service from urban warfare to the confines of snowy trenches.
One of Germany’s contributions to the rifles of WWII was the Karabiner 98k. This bolt-action weapon became known for its precision and later influenced subsequent rifle designs. The Kar98k served as the backbone of the German infantry, setting a benchmark for military rifles to come. (And here are the classic long range sniper rifles of World War II.)
These three rifles demonstrated technological advancements and the practical considerations of the differing nations at the time of WWII. The M1 Garand displayed a push towards semi-automatic, rapid-fire guns. The Mosin-Nagant showcased the emphasis on durability and reliability in extreme conditions, while the Karabiner 98k represented the ongoing pursuit of engineering precision, a hallmark of German design.
These arms would go on to influence the development of firearms for decades to come.
Here is a look at the rifles of World War II:
69. Modello 1870 Italian Vetterli
> Year entered service: 1870
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Italy
> Action: Single-shot; manual-pull bolt-action
> Caliber & feed: 10.4x47mmR; 6.5mm & Single shot; 4-round integral magazine
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68. Lebel Model 1886
> Year entered service: 1887
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: France
> Action: Bolt-action lever
> Caliber & feed: 8mm Lebel & 8-round tube magazine
67. Mannlicher Model 1888
> Year entered service: 1888
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Austria-Hungary
> Action: Manually-actuated straight-pull bolt; repeating
> Caliber & feed: 8mm Mannlicher & 5-round integral magazine
66. Mauser Model 1888 (Gew 88)
> Year entered service: 1888
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Germany
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt mechanism
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x57mm Mauser & 5-round clip with fixed integral magazine
65. Infantry Model 1889 (Belgian Mauser)
> Year entered service: 1889
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Belgium
> Action: Manually-actuated straight-pull bolt; repeating
> Caliber & feed: 7.65x53mm Belgian Mauser & 5-round integral magazine
64. Berthier Rifle
> Year entered service: 1890
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: France
> Action: Manual-pull bolt-action
> Caliber & feed: 8x50mmR Lebel; 7.5x54mm French & 3- or 5-round magazine
63. Model 1889 Schmidt-Rubin
> Year entered service: 1890
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Switzerland
> Action: Manually-actuated straight-pull bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 7.5×53.5mm Swiss & 5-,6-, or 12-round detachable box magazine
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62. Rifle Model 1890 (Turkish Mauser)
> Year entered service: 1890
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Turkey
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 7.65x53mm Turkish Mauser; 8x57mm & 5-round internal magazine
61. Mosin-Nagant Model 1891
> Year entered service: 1891
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Russia
> Action: Manual bolt-action
> Caliber & feed: 7.62x54mmR; 7.62x53mmR; 7.92x57mm Mauser & 5-round integral magazine
60. Carcano Modello 1891 (M91)
> Year entered service: 1892
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle / infantry carbine
> Country of origin: Italy
> Action: Manually-operated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 6.5x52mm Mannlicher-Carcano; 7.35x51mm Carcano; 7.92x57mm Mauser & 6-round internal magazine
59. Krag-Jorgensen Model 1894
> Year entered service: 1894
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Norway
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 6.5x55mm M94 Norwegian Krag & 5-round integral magazine
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58. Marlin Model 1894
> Year entered service: 1894
> Type: Carbine rifle
> Country of origin: United States
> Action: Manually-actuated lever-action system
> Caliber & feed: .32-20 Winchester; .32 HR Magnum; .38 Spc & 6-,9-, or 10-round tubular magazine
57. Winchester Model 1894
> Year entered service: 1894
> Type: Lever-action rifle
> Country of origin: United States
> Action: Manually-actuated lever-action
> Caliber & feed: .30-30 Winchester & 6- or 8-round tubular magazine
56. Lee-Enfield
> Year entered service: 1895
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: United Kingdom
> Action: Manually-operated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: .303 MK VII SAA Ball & 10-round detachable box magazine
55. Mannlicher Model 1895
> Year entered service: 1895
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Austria-Hungary
> Action: Manually-actuated straight-pull bolt; repeating
> Caliber & feed: 8x50R Mannlicher & 5-round integral magazine
54. Mauser Model 1898 (Gew 98)
> Year entered service: 1898
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Germany
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt mechanism
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x57mm Mauser & 5-round clip with fixed integral magazine
53. Arisaka Type 30
> Year entered service: 1899
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle / infantry carbine
> Country of origin: Japan
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 6.5x50mm Arisaka; .303 British & 5-round internal magazine
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52. Mondragon Rifle (Fusil Mondragon)
> Year entered service: 1900
> Type: Semi-automatic service rifle
> Country of origin: Mexico
> Action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt; also manual bolt-action
> Caliber & feed: 7x57mm Mauser & 8-,10-, or 20-round box; or 100-round drum magazine
51. Mannlicher-Schonauer Model 1903
> Year entered service: 1903
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Greece
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 6.5x54mm Mannlicher-Schonauer & 5-round rotating magazine
50. Springfield Model 1903 (M1903)
> Year entered service: 1903
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle / sniper rifle
> Country of origin: United States
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: .30-03; .30-06 Springfield & 5-round internal magazine
49. Model 1904 Vergueiro-Mauser
> Year entered service: 1904
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Portugal
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 6.5x58mm Vergueiro; 7x57mm Mauser & 5-round internal magazine
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48. Arisaka Type 38
> Year entered service: 1905
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle / infantry carbine
> Country of origin: Japan
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 6.5x50mm Arisaka; .303 British & 5-round internal magazine
47. Ross Rifle
> Year entered service: 1905
> Type: Straight-pull bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Canada
> Action: Manual pull, bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: .303 British & 5-round magazine
46. Arisaka Type 44 Cavalry Rifle
> Year entered service: 1912
> Type: Carbine service weapon
> Country of origin: Japan
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 6.5x50mm Arisaka; .303 British & 5-round internal magazine
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45. Enfield Pattern 1914
> Year entered service: 1914
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle / sniper rifle
> Country of origin: United Kingdom
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: .303 British & 5-round stripper clips
44. Fedorov Avtomat M1916
> Year entered service: 1915
> Type: Automatic rifle
> Country of origin: Russia
> Action: Short-recoil; locked breech; closed bolt; select-fire
> Caliber & feed: 6.5x50mmSR Arisaka & 25-round detachable box magazine
43. Winchester Model 1915
> Year entered service: 1915
> Type: Lever-action rifle
> Country of origin: United States
> Action: Lever-action; repeat fire
> Caliber & feed: 7.62x54mmR & 5-round internal magazine
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42. Fusil Automatique Modele 1817 (Model 1917 RSC)
> Year entered service: 1917
> Type: Semi-automatic rifle / bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: France
> Action: Gas-operated; rotating belt
> Caliber & feed: 8x50mmR Lebel & 5-round internal magazine
41. M1917 Enfield
> Year entered service: 1917
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: United States
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 7.62x63mm (.30-06 Springfield) & 6-round magazine
40. Browning M1918 BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle)
> Year entered service: 1918
> Type: Light machine gun
> Country of origin: United States
> Action: Gas-operated piston; open-bolt; selective fire
> Caliber & feed: .30-06 Springfield & 20-round detachable box magazine
39. Carl-Gustav m/21-m37
> Year entered service: 1921
> Type: Light machine gun
> Country of origin: Sweden
> Action: Gas-operated; tilting breach block
> Caliber & feed: 6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser & 20-round detachable box magazine
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38. Springfield Model 1922
> Year entered service: 1922
> Type: Bolt-action training rifle
> Country of origin: United States
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: .22LR & 5-round internal magazine
37. Ceska Zbrojovka vz. 24
> Year entered service: 1924
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Czechoslovakia
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x57mm Mauser; 7.57mm Mauser; 7.65x53mm Argentine & 5-round integral magazine
36. CZ Model 1924 (Mauser) Short Rifle
> Year entered service: 1924
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Guatemala
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 7x57mm Mauser & 5-round internal magazine
35. ZH-29
> Year entered service: 1929
> Type: Semi-automatic service rifle
> Country of origin: Czechoslovakia
> Action: Semi-automatic; gas-operated
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x57mm Mauser & 5-,10-, or 20-round detachable box magazine
34. Fabrique Nationale FN M1930 (BAR)
> Year entered service: 1930
> Type: Light machine gun
> Country of origin: Belgium
> Action: Gas-operated; tilting breach block
> Caliber & feed: 7.65x53mm Belgian Mauser & 20-round detachable box magazine
33. Fabrique Nationale FN Mle D (BAR)
> Year entered service: 1932
> Type: Light machine gun
> Country of origin: Belgium
> Action: Gas-operated; tilting breech block
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x57mm Belgian Mauser; .30-06 Springfield; 7.62x51mm NATO & 20-round detachable box magazine
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32. FEG 35M (Mannlicher M1935)
> Year entered service: 1935
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Hungary
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 8x56mmR Hungarian Mannlicher; 7.92x57mm Mauser & 5-round internal magazine
31. Kb wz.35 (Marosczek)
> Year entered service: 1935
> Type: Anti-tank rifle / anti-material rifle
> Country of origin: Poland
> Action: Manually-operated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x107mm DS & 4-round detachable box magazine
30. Mauser Karabiner Kar 98k
> Year entered service: 1935
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Germany
> Action: Bolt-action
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x57mm Mauser & 5-round internal magazine
29. Type 24 (Chiang Kai-Shek Rifle)
> Year entered service: 1935
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Taiwan
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action; repeat-fire
> Caliber & feed: 8x57mm IS (7.92x57mm Mauser) & 5-round internal magazine
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28. M1 Garand
> Year entered service: 1936
> Type: Battle rifle
> Country of origin: United States
> Action: Self-loading; gas-action piston
> Caliber & feed: .30-06 Springfield & 8-round internal clip
27. MAS 36 (modele 36 / mle 36)
> Year entered service: 1936
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: France
> Action: Manually-operated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 7.5x54mm & 5-round internal magazine
26. Winchester Model 70
> Year entered service: 1936
> Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
> Country of origin: United States
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: .30-06 Springfield & 3-,4-, or 5-round box magazine
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25. Arisaka Type 97
> Year entered service: 1937
> Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
> Country of origin: Japan
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 6.5x50mm Arisaka; .303 British & 5-round internal magazine
24. Boys 0.55in
> Year entered service: 1937
> Type: Anti-tank rifle / anti-material rifle
> Country of origin: United Kingdom
> Action: Manually-operated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 13.9mm (0.55 in) & 5-round detachable box magazine
23. Panzerbuchse 38 (PzB 38)
> Year entered service: 1938
> Type: Anti-tank rifle / anti-material rifle
> Country of origin: Germany
> Action: Single-shot; manually-actuated bolt-action
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x94mm Patronen & Single shot
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22. Solothurn S18-100
> Year entered service: 1938
> Type: Bullpup anti-tank rifle / anti-material rifle
> Country of origin: Switzerland
> Action: Semi-automatic
> Caliber & feed: 20x105mmB; 20x138mmB Long & 5- or 10-round detachable box magazine
21. Tokarev SVT-38
> Year entered service: 1938
> Type: Semi-automatic service rifle
> Country of origin: Soviet Union
> Action: Self-loading; semi-automatic
> Caliber & feed: 7.62x54mmR Russian & 10-round detachable box magazine
20. Arisaka Type 99
> Year entered service: 1939
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle / infantry carbine
> Country of origin: Japan
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 7.7x58mm Arisaka & 5-round internal magazine
19. Panzerbuchse 39 (PzB 39)
> Year entered service: 1939
> Type: Anti-tank rifle / anti-material rifle
> Country of origin: Germany
> Action: Single-shot; manually-actuated bolt-action
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x94mm Patronen & Single shot
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18. Tokarev SVT-40
> Year entered service: 1940
> Type: Semi-automatic service rifle
> Country of origin: Soviet Union
> Action: Gas-operated, semi-automatic
> Caliber & feed: 7.62x54mmR & 10-round detachable box magazine
17. Degtyarev PTRD 1941
> Year entered service: 1941
> Type: Anti-tank rifle / anti-material rifle
> Country of origin: Soviet Union
> Action: Manually-operated bolt; semi-automatic breach
> Caliber & feed: 14.5x114mm & Single shot
16. Johnson Model 1941
> Year entered service: 1941
> Type: Semi-automatic rifle
> Country of origin: United States
> Action: Semi-automatic; short-recoil; rotating bolt
> Caliber & feed: .30-06 Springfield; 7x57mm Mauser & 10-round cylindrical magazine
15. Remington Model 1903 (Springfield)
> Year entered service: 1941
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: United States
> Action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: .30-06 Springfield & 5-round stripper clips
14. Walther Gewehr 41 (G41 / Gew 41)
> Year entered service: 1941
> Type: Semi-automatic service rifle
> Country of origin: Germany
> Action: Gas-operated; semi-automatic
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x57mm Mauser & 10-round integral box magazine
13. Carl-Gustav m/42
> Year entered service: 1942
> Type: Semi-automatic service rifle
> Country of origin: Sweden
> Action: Gas-operated; direct impingement
> Caliber & feed: 6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser; 7.92x57mm; 7.62x39mm Soviet’ & 10-round detachable box magazine; 5-round stripper clips
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12. Charlton Automatic Rifle
> Year entered service: 1942
> Type: Semi-automatic rifle / light machine gun
> Country of origin: New Zealand
> Action: Gas-operated; semi/full-automatic fire
> Caliber & feed: .303 British & 10- or 30-round detachable box magazine
11. Fallschirmjagergewehr 42 (FG42 / FjG42)
> Year entered service: 1942
> Type: Automatic rifle / light machine gun
> Country of origin: Germany
> Action: Gas-operated; select fire
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x57mm Mauser & 10- or 20-round detachable box
10. M1 Carbine
> Year entered service: 1942
> Type: Semi-automatic / full-automatic carbine
> Country of origin: United States
> Action: Gas-operated, short-stroke piston; semi-automatic
> Caliber & feed: 30 M1 Carbine & 15- or 30-round detachable box magazine
9. Sturmgewehr 44 (StG44) / Maschinenpistole 44 (MP44)
> Year entered service: 1942
> Type: Assault rifle
> Country of origin: Germany
> Action: Gas-operated; locked-breech; tilting bolt; select-fire
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x33mm Kurz & 30-round detachable box magazine
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8. Walther Gewehr 43 (G43 / Gew 43)
> Year entered service: 1943
> Type: Semi-automatic service rifle
> Country of origin: Germany
> Action: Gas-operated; semi-automatic
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x57mm Mauser & 10-round integral box magazine
7. Arisaka Type 4 / Type 5
> Year entered service: 1944
> Type: Semi-automatic service rifle
> Country of origin: Japan
> Action: Self-loading; gas-operated; rotating belt
> Caliber & feed: 7.7x58mm Arisaka & 10-round integral magazine
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6. M2 Carbine
> Year entered service: 1944
> Type: Select-fire automatic carbine
> Country of origin: United States
> Action: Selective-fire (semi/full-automatic) capability; gas-operated, short-stroke piston
> Caliber & feed: 30 M1 Carbine & 15- or 30-round detachable box magazine
5. M3 Carbine
> Year entered service: 1944
> Type: Sniper carbine rifle
> Country of origin: United States
> Action: Selective-fire (semi/full-automatic) capability; gas-operated, short-stroke piston
> Caliber & feed: 30 M1 Carbine & 15- or 30-round detachable box magazine
4. Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr
> Year entered service: 1945
> Type: Semi-automatic rifle
> Country of origin: Germany
> Action: Semi-automatic; gas-delayed blowback
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x33mm Kurz & 30-round detachable box magazine
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3. Simonov SKS
> Year entered service: 1945
> Type: Semi-automatic carbine
> Country of origin: Soviet Union
> Action: Self-loading short-stroke gas piston
> Caliber & feed: 7.62x39mm M1943 & 10-round internal box magazine
2. Sturmgewehr 45 (StG45) / Maschinenpistole 45 (MP45)
> Year entered service: 1945
> Type: Assault rifle
> Country of origin: Germany
> Action: Gas-operated; locked-breech; tilting bolt; select-fire
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x33mm Kurz & 10- or 30-round detachable box magazine
1. Volkssturmgewehr VG
> Year entered service: 1945
> Type: Bolt-action service rifle
> Country of origin: Germany
> Action: Manually-operated bolt-action system
> Caliber & feed: 7.92x57mm Kurz & 10-round detachable box magazine
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