Skip to main content

Why Does Sgt. Schultz Carry a .30-40 Krag Instead of a Kar98k Mauser?

Why they gave Sgt. Schultz a U.S. Krag-Jorgensen .30-40 rifle to carry in "Hogan's Heroes" is anyone's guess, but a Krag would be much easier for an actor to operate than a Kar98k Mauser.

Why Does Sgt. Schultz Carry a .30-40 Krag Instead of a Kar98k Mauser?

Generic Mauser 98K Rifle (Sebastian Photography photo / Shutterstock)

Question: 

You look old enough to have watched “Hogan’s Heroes” on TV as a younger man. Well, now it’s been back, late at night, for quite a while and what caught my attention is Sgt. Schulz’s rifle. I believe the main rifle of Germany during World War II was the Model K98k 8mm Mauser, yet I am seeing him toting around a .30-40 Krag! Can I be wrong?

 -C.B. of Willits, California

Answer: 

You are right on two counts. First: I am definitely old enough to have watched “Hogan’s Heroes” first run. Second, Sgt. Schulz (portrayed by actor John Banner) does carry a U.S. Krag-Jorgensen .30-40 rifle. I am not sure exactly what model it is, but I’d guess an 1898 as they are a bit more common than the earlier versions. Why they gave him a Krag instead of a Kar98k Mauser is anybody’s guess — possibly because Krag actions are extremely smooth, and it would be easier for an actor to operate one rather than a 98k’s.

-Garry James




Current Magazine Cover

Enjoy articles like this?

Subscribe to the magazine.

Get access to everything Guns & Ammo has to offer.
Subscribe to the Magazine

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo delves into an in-depth review of Kimber's new 2K11 Double-Stack 1911 pistol. In this video, P...
Optics

Pulsar Thermal Technology - James Sellers, CEO of Sellmark Corp.

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo delves into an in-depth review of Kimber's new 2K11 Double-Stack 1911 pistol. In this video, P...
Rifles

Building The Legend: Gunmaker D'Arcy Echols

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo delves into an in-depth review of Kimber's new 2K11 Double-Stack 1911 pistol. In this video, P...
Suppressors

SILENCER CENTRAL - BANISH 9K

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo delves into an in-depth review of Kimber's new 2K11 Double-Stack 1911 pistol. In this video, P...
Industry

Guns & Ammo Buzz: The April '25 issue of Guns & Ammo Magazine

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo delves into an in-depth review of Kimber's new 2K11 Double-Stack 1911 pistol. In this video, P...
Handguns

Guns & Ammo Buzz: Hamilton Bowen - Revolver Master

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo delves into an in-depth review of Kimber's new 2K11 Double-Stack 1911 pistol. In this video, P...
Suppressors

2024 Guns & Ammo Suppressor of the Year Award: Silencer Central Banish Speed K

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo delves into an in-depth review of Kimber's new 2K11 Double-Stack 1911 pistol. In this video, P...
Shotguns

Dickinson Plantation SxS Shotguns

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo delves into an in-depth review of Kimber's new 2K11 Double-Stack 1911 pistol. In this video, P...
Suppressors

Silencer Central Banish 9K

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo delves into an in-depth review of Kimber's new 2K11 Double-Stack 1911 pistol. In this video, P...
Videos - News - 2nd Amendment

Guns & Ammo Buzz: Handguns for those Under 21?

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo delves into an in-depth review of Kimber's new 2K11 Double-Stack 1911 pistol. In this video, P...
Other

Guns & Ammo Buzz: Introducing Keith Wood

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo delves into an in-depth review of Kimber's new 2K11 Double-Stack 1911 pistol. In this video, P...
Industry

Guns & Ammo Buzz: BEST OF THE 2025 SHOT SHOW

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo delves into an in-depth review of Kimber's new 2K11 Double-Stack 1911 pistol. In this video, P...
Handguns

Kimber's New 2K11: A High-Capacity Double-Stack 1911 Pistol

Guns and Ammo Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Guns & Ammo App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use