Makers:	Panstwowa Fabryka Karabinow, Warsaw and F.B. Radom, Radom, Poland
Caliber:	7.92 mm x 57 Mauser
Action type:	Bolt-action repeater
Capacity:	5
Length:	1100 mm (43.3")
Barrel length:	600 mm (23.6")
Weight: (empty)	3.33 - 3.88 kg (7.34 - 8.55 lb)*
Muzzle velocity:	845 m/s (2772 m/s)
* Depending on type of wood used

 
In March 1924 the Polish ministry of defense decided to replace the wz. 1898 rifle with a shorter and handier weapon. Modeled after the German Kar 98a is was developed by Panstwowa Fabryka Karabinow in Warsaw later the same year.

 
Kbk wz. 1898 is a clone of the German Kar 98a. Differences are: Lack of the sling slot in the stock (replaced by a recess on the left side of the stock with a vertical pin), different barrel band with additional, underside sling swivel, trigger and trigger-guard identical to that of wz. 1898 rifle (Kar 98a had smaller trigger-guard) and added rear underside sling swivel. In addition there are differences in the butt-plate and screws used. Operation and disassembly is identical to the German Mausers.

 
Kbk wz. 1898: Main variant. There some differences between early and late production runs. Early series have non-impregnated stocks and turned-down bolt handles. Late production carbines have impregnated and reinforced stocks and straight bolt handles. There are also minor differences in the hand-guard.
Kbks wz. 1929: (Karabinek sportowy wz. 1929) - 5.6 mm short (.22 Short) version of the wz. 1898 (note the confusing designation) with curved firing-pin and bolt altered to handle smaller ammunition. Number "22" branded into the handguard for easy identification. Sights are identical to that of the centerfire wz. 1898 - the distance on the sights must be divided by 10 for correct range. Kbks wz. 1929 was made by both PFK in Warsaw and FB Radom.

 
Kbk wz. 1898 were used by the Polish army. Captured rifles were used by the German military.

 
During repairs, German-made Kar 98a carbines in the Polish inventory were modified to wz. 1898 standards: the sling slot in the stock was filled and a recess with a vertical pin was cut. Rear sling swivel was added and worn-out bands, butt-plates and stocks were replaced. Therefore there are German Kar 98a's with Polish markings and proof marks that can be confused with the Polish kbk wz. 1898.