The 7.92x57mm Mauser (8mm Mauser, 8x57 IS) was the standard German military rifle cartridge from 1888 through 1945, serving in two World Wars and countless conflicts worldwide. Originally introduced as the 7.92x57J (J-bore, .318" groove diameter), it was upgraded in 1905 to the IS (Infanterie-Spitzgeschoss) specification — a spitzer bullet requiring .323" groove diameter — which became the definitive version. The cartridge powered the Gewehr 98, Karabiner 98k, MG 08 machine gun, and the MG 42. Post-war, vast quantities of 8mm Mauser surplus rifles entered the commercial market, and the cartridge remains in production for hunting use across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Type: Rifle
Introduced: 1888, Germany
Parent case: None
Standardization: CIP
Bullet diameter: 0.323" (8.2 mm)
Case length: 2.244" (57 mm)
Overall length: 3.228" (82 mm)
Max pressure: 56,000 PSI
Rim type: Rimless
Primer: Large Rifle
Typical twist rate: 1:9.45
Muzzle velocity: 2500–2900 fps
Muzzle energy: 2400–3000 ft-lbs
Effective range: 800 yd
Common bullet weights: 150, 170, 196, 198 gr
Primary use: Military, Hunting
Production status: Active
Also known as: 8mm Mauser · 8x57mm · 7.92x57mm IS · 8mm German · 8mm JS · 8x57mm IS · 7.92 Mauser · 8x57
History: Introduced in 1888 for the Mauser Gewehr 88. Originally used a .318 bullet (J bore), changed to .323 in 1905 (S bore). The 'IS' designation (Infanterie Spitzer) refers to pointed bullets. Equipped German forces in both World Wars and was adopted by numerous other nations. Remains popular in Europe for hunting.
Notable firearms: Mauser Gewehr 98, Karabiner 98k, MG 34, MG 42, FG 42, Czech VZ.24
Military use: {"country":"Germany","years":"1888-1945","conflicts":["WWI","WWII"]}, {"country":"Yugoslavia","years":"1920s-1990s","conflicts":["WWII","Yugoslav Wars"]}, {"country":"Poland","years":"1918-1939","conflicts":["Polish-Soviet War","WWII"]}, {"country":"Czechoslovakia","years":"1918-1950s","conflicts":["WWII"]}
Similar cartridges: .30-06 Springfield, .303 British, 7.62x54R