June 6, 2024 is the 80th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy by Allied troops during World War II. Famously known as D-Day, over 156,000 Allied soldiers participated in the largest amphibious offensive in history. This surprise assault on the Axis powers successfully laid the groundwork to Allied victory. (Click here to see the most important events of WWII: a timeline.)
Although there likely wasn’t much need for Allied snipers on the beaches of Normandy, other long-range engagements during World War II led to a surge in the popularity of sniper rifles. Axis and Allied powers had stockpiled large quantities of sniper rifles prior to the war. Their arsenals contained rifles that ranged from early 20th century models to late 19th relics, as well as others that were newly developed for wartime use. While most of the sniper rifles featured are bolt-action, some of the newer models are gas-operated with semi-automatic capabilities. Future generations of guns would incorporate this technology.Â
The Mauser Karabiner Kar 98k was the sniper rifle of choice for many German soldiers. It was the standard-issue rifle for German soldiers, but it’s adaptability allowed for the addition of a telescopic sight for sniping purposes. (Click here to see 37 American military guns that fought World War 2.)
To determine the oldest and newest sniper rifles used in World War II, 24/7 Wall St. analyzed a catalog of sniper rifles from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. The rifles are listed according to when they entered service. Supplemental data on country of origin, manufacturer, range, firing action, cartridge, and feed of the ammunition each rifle used also came from Military Factory.
Why This Matters
Source: bruev / iStock via Getty Images
World War II was a six year conflict that changed the course of history and set up many of the geopolitical relationships that impact us today. Arming the Axis and Allied powers greatly affected each nation’s economy. Many companies that produced the firearms on this list still exist and contribute to economic activity through the creation of jobs and sales taxes. Additionally, a sizable amount of money has been invested into furthering the firearm technology of many rifles featured.
Scroll below to see World War II sniper rifles from the 19th century to late war models:
22. Mosin-Nagant Model 1891
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1891
- Used by during WWII: Soviet Union, Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia
The Mosin-Nagant Model 1891 is a manual bolt-action service rifle manufactured by Tula, Izhevsk, and Sestroryetsk. It’s available in a carbine version as well. It can use 7.62x54mmR, 7.62x53mmR, 7.92x57mm Mauser, or 5-round internal magazines and has a range of 1,640 ft.
21. Krag-Jorgensen
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1894
- Used by during WWII: Norway, United States, Germany, Denmark
The Krag-Jorgensen is a bolt-action service rifle with manually actuated or repeat fire firing action capabilities. It has a range of 3,000 feet. It can use 6.5x55mm M94 Norweigian Krag or 5-round internal magazines and was manufactured by Kongsberg Vapenfabrikk and Steyr Mannlicher companies.
20. Lee-Enfield
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1895
- Used by during WWII: United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada
The Lee-Enfield is a manually-operated bolt-action, magazine fed, repeating service rifle with a range of 1,640 feet. It can use .303 British (7.7x56mmR) or a 10-round detachable box and was manufactured by the Royal Small Arms Factory.
19. Mannlicher Model 1895
Source: Andrew Bossi / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1895
- Used by during WWII: Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Czechoslovakia
The Mannlicher Model 1895 is a bolt action service rifle with manually-actuated straight pull-bolt or repeating firing action capabilities. It has a range of 1,320 feet. It can use 8x50mmR Mannlicher or 5-round internal magazines and was manufactured by Steyr and Femaru Fegyver es Gepgyar (FEG) companies.
18. Mauser Model 1898 (Gew 98)
Source: Armémuseum (The Swedish Army Museum) / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1898
- Used by during WWII: Germany, Czechoslovakia, Belgium
The Mauser Model 1898 (or, Gew 98) is a manually-operated bolt-action service rifle with a range of 1,640 feet. It can use 7.92x57mm Mauser or 5-round internal box magazines and was manufactured by Mauser.
17. Mondragon Rifle
Source: Meeepmep / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1900
- Used by during WWII: Germany, Mexico, Japan
The Mondragon Rifle is a semi-automatic service rifle with a range of 1,804 feet. Its’ firing actions consist of gas-operated, rotating bolt, or manual bolt-action. It can use 7x57mm Mauser, 8-, 10-, or 20-round box; 30- or 100-round drum magazines and was manufactured by Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft.
16. Springfield Model 1903 (M1903)
Source: Bouillant Achille / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1903
- Used by during WWII: United States, United Kingdom, Taiwan
The Springfield Model 1903 (or, M1903) is a manually-actuated bolt-action service rifle / sniper rifle with a range of 2,000 feet. It can use 30-03 (7.62x65mm), 30-06 (7.62x63mm) Springfield, or 5-round internal box magazines and was manufactured by Springfield Armories.
15. Arisaka Type 38
Source: mujitra / Flickr
- Year introduced: 1905
- Used by during WWII: Japan, United Kingdom, Thailand, Soviet Union, China
The Arisaka Type 38 is a bolt-action infantry service rifle with a range of 1,475 feet. It can use 6.5x50mm or 5-round internal box magazines and was manufactured by State Arsenals and Arisaka companies.
14. Ross Rifle
Source: Vaarok at en.wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1905
- Used by during WWII: Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union
The Ross Rifle is a straight-pull bolt-action service rifle with manual pull or bolt-action system firing action capabilities. It has a range of 1,800 feet. It can use .303 British (7.7x56mmR) or 5-round magazines and was manufactured by State Factories.
13. Enfield Pattern 1914
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1914
- Used by during WWII: United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, Soviet Union
The Enfield Pattern 1914 is a M=manually-actuated bolt-action service rifle / sniper rifle with a range of 2,400 feet. It can use .303 British (7.7x56mmR) or 5-round stripper clips and was manufactured by Enfield Lock.
12. M1917 Enfield (American Enfield)
Source: Armémuseum (The Swedish Army Museum) / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1917
- Used by during WWII: United States, United Kingdom, China, France
The M1917 Enfield (or, American Enfield) is a manually-actuated bolt-action service rifle with a range of 1,640 feet. It can use 7.62x63mm or 6-round magazines and was manufactured by Winchester and Remington companies.
11. FEG 35M (Mannlicher M1935)
Source: Armémuseum (The Swedish Army Museum) / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1935
- Used by during WWII: Hungary, Germany
The FEG 35M (or, Mannlicher M1935) is a manually-actuated bolt-action service rifle with a range of 2,400 feet. It can use 7.92x57mm Mauser or 5-round internal box magazines and was manufactured by Femaru Fegyver es Gepgyar (FEG).
10. Mauser Karabiner Kar 98k
Source: Armémuseum (The Swedish Army Museum) / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1935
- Used by during WWII: Germany, Finland, Denmark
The Mauser Karabiner Kar 98k is a bolt-action service rifle with a range of 1,969 feet. It can use 7.92x57mm Mauser or 5-round internal box magazines and was manufactured by Mauser.
9. Type 24 (Chiang Kai-Shek Rifle)
Source: Kampfer Lin / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1935
- Used by during WWII: China, Taiwan
The Type 24 (or, Chiang Kai-Shek Rifle) is a bolt-action service rifle with manually-actuated bolt-action or repeat fire firing action capabilities. It has a range of 1,640 feet. It can use 8x57mm IS (7.92x57mm Mauser) or 5-round internal magazines and was manufactured by State Arsenals.
8. MAS 36
Source: joelogon / Joe Loong, cropped by user:Nemo5576 / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1936
- Used by during WWII: France, Monaco
The MAS 36 is a manually-operated bolt-action service rifle with a range of 1,125 feet. It can use 7.5x54mm or 5-round internal box magazines and was manufactured by Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Etienne.
7. Winchester Model 70
Source: Alaska Senate Majority / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1936
- Used by during WWII: United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada
The Winchester Model 70 is a manually-actuated bolt-action service rifle with a range of 1,000 feet. It can use .30-06 Springfield or 3-, 4-, or 5-round capacity and was manufactured by Winchester.
6. Arisaka Type 97
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1937
- Used by during WWII: Japan
The Arisaka Type 97 is a bolt-action sniper rifle with either repeat-fire or manually-actuated bolt-action system firing capabilities. It has a range of 2,500 feet. It can use 6.5x50mm or 5-round internal box magazines and was manufactured by State Arsenals and Arisaka companies.
5. Arisaka Type 99
Source: BenDibble at English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1939
- Used by during WWII: Japan, China
The Arisaka Type 99 is a manually-actuated bolt-action service rifle with a range of 2,500 feet. It can use 7.7x58mm or 5-round internal box magazine and was manufactured by State Arsenals and Arisaka companies.
4. Tokarev SVT-40
Source: Drake00 / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1940
- Used by during WWII: Soviet Union, Finland, China
The Tokarev SVT-40 is a self-loading, semi-automatic rifle service rifle with either gas-operated or semi-automatic firing action capability. It has a range of 1,640 feet. It can use 7.62x54mmR or 10-round detachable box magazines and was manufactured by Factories.
3. Remington Model 1903
Source: Bouillant Achille / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1941
- Used by during WWII: United States
The Remington Model 1903 is a manually-actuated bolt-action service rifle with a range of 900 feet. It can use .30-06 Springfield or 5-round supply via stripper clips and was manufactured by Remington.
2. Walther Gewer 43 (G 43 / Gew 43)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1943
- Used by during WWII: Czechoslovakia, Germany
The Walther Gewer 43 (or, G 43 / Gew 43) is a self-loading, semi-automatic rifle service rifle with gas-operated or semi-automatic firing action capabilities. It has a range of 1,640 feet. It can use 7.92x57mm Mauser or 10-round detachable box magazines and was manufactured by Carl Walther Waffenfabrik.
1. M3 Carbine
Source: Curiosandrelics / Wikimedia Commons
- Year introduced: 1944
- Used by during WWII: United States
The M3 Carbine is a sniper carbine rifle with selective-fire, gas-operated, or short-stroke piston firing action capabilities. It has a range of 900 feet. It can use 30 M1 Carbine or 15- or 30-round detachable box magazines and was manufactured by the Inland Division of General Motors.
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