K98 Cleaning rod sizes?????.

[Tango]

Hello Gents just a quick question reference cleaning rods for the K98 Mauser? I have seen 2 lengths 10 & 12 inches,does it make any difference to what size I need??. The Missus measured the hole in which the cleaning is housed & that measured roughly 8 inches...So i'm thinking 10 inche cleaning rod..but could I fit a 12 inche one & still attach the bayonet?? I did try to upload a picture of my rifle but it doesn't seem to want to work!!!, Thanks for your time Terry

[zwerge]

The 12 inch would be too long, you must have an early dated rifle.

[Tango]

Ok thats all I wanted to know...It's just when I bought the rifle years ago I didn't know it was missing a cleaning rod...now I do & it's bugging me lol..Thanks for taking time out to answer.. Cheers Terry.

[lithgow]

They didn't always have them, especially late in the war-you needed 3 of them to make up a useable rod and the Germans had introduced the metal link pull through...

[Tango]

Cheers well mine has a hole where you would locate 1...is that a tell tale sign???..Otherwise I can live without it...but I see lots with the cleaning rod.. I think mine is Portuguese does that help??, I'm home so I can't look at it!!! Thanks for the answers.. Cheers Terry.