"China began the purchase of German Mauser rifles with the very first commercial design, the Mauser 1871 single shot. As Paul Mauser developed his new rifles, China purchased quantities of the constantly improving types. The tube loading Model 1871-84, and the offical German Commission Model 1888 in caliber 7.92 mm German service was ordered from Mauser's partner, Ludwig Lowe & Co. of Berlin.
Chinas has used a large number of different types of rifles within the past thirty years. Most are no longer used by either Chinese Nationalist or Chinese Communist regular forces but may still be found int he hands of Chinese Communist Militia. The Chinese manufactured copy of the German 7.92mm 88 at Hanyang Arsenal which they call Type 88 Hanyang. This rifle has the same .318 bore as the German Model 88 and cannot be used with 7.92mm .323 IS (JS) ammunition. The Chinese also had quantities of 7.92 mm Model 98 rifles, Kar 98 carbines, and Mauser "Standard" Model rifles, all of German manufacture. Copies of the "Standard" Model Mauser were made in China and were known as the "Chiang Kai Shek" Model. 7.92mm Belgian FN M1924 and 1930 rifles and Chinese-made copies thereof. The Chinese also used quantities of captured Japanese 6.5mm Type 38 and 7.7mm Type 99 rifles. When the Japanese armament plants in Manchuria were captured in 1945 the Chinese continued manufacture of the weapons they made, which included 7.7mm Type 99 rifles. They also made a large number of Type 99 rifles barreled for 7.92mm cartridges. A number of these rifles were used by Chinese Communist troops in Korea and as a result they may be found in American collections."
