Originating in 1867 when two brothers, Wilhelm and Paul Mauser, developed a rifle using a rotating bolt system for breechloaders improved from earlier designs. The two men had years of experience before this innovation, when they followed their father into work at the Oberndorf/Neckar weapons factory as children. Decades after the founding brothers died, Mauser reinvented itself from making arms for military forces to civilian firearms. The company developed sporting and hunting guns in the second half of the 20th Century. Though the 98 Rifle went through its greatest production rate during WWI, in 1998 it attained legendary status as it began to be used by big game hunters in India, Africa and other big game hunting areas.