I recently purchased a VZ-24 from a friend who claimed it was a Japanese contract rifle that was captured in the pacific islands. The story I was told was that the rifle was made in Czechoslovakia and exported to the Imperial Japanese army during the later conflicts in the Pacific front. Apparently the rifle was pulled from a dead Japanese soldier after he was struck with an artillery shell and judging from the damage on the rifle; I'm keen to believe it.
My question, however, is how do I confirm this was actually a Japanese contract rifle? There is a Kanji written on the rear of the stock in an industrial yellow paint but that is the only evidence I've seen so far to validate.
Additionally, how much would it be worth? It is not severely damaged and is apparently safe enough to fire, but is definitely in fair disrepair (I.E. broken/ missing parts, rusting, split stock, etc.) If anyone is curious, I paid $180 for it.
Thanks
My question, however, is how do I confirm this was actually a Japanese contract rifle? There is a Kanji written on the rear of the stock in an industrial yellow paint but that is the only evidence I've seen so far to validate.
Additionally, how much would it be worth? It is not severely damaged and is apparently safe enough to fire, but is definitely in fair disrepair (I.E. broken/ missing parts, rusting, split stock, etc.) If anyone is curious, I paid $180 for it.
Thanks