The first smokeless powder rifle would put represent the most significant advance in small arms technology since the advent of gunpowder itself, but the rifle itself would be rapidly rendered obsolete, despite serving on for more than half a century.

The standard issue rifle of the Imperial German Army during the Great War, the Gewehr 98 is the quintessential “German Mauser”; the progenitor of the most successful bolt action rifle of all time.

The most modern rifle in Ottoman inventory during the Great War was an example of the excellent Mauser 98, with some special features. These rifles would serve as a pattern during the interwar Turkish upgrade program, in addition to receiving minor modifications themselves.

The straight-pull Mannlicher M.95 was the standard issue service rifle of the Austro-Hungarian Empire during the Great War, with millions produced and serving on the Eastern Front and in northern Italy, as well as other Fronts. It would continue in service to the the Empire’s successor states through the Second World War.

The Kingdom of Italy would wisely chose a rifle within their industrial means with the M1891 Carcano, a rifle that would, despite it’s shortcomings, serve on through both the First and Second World Wars.