Mauser

H

hickok45

New member
Just bought a Mauser at gun show for $75.00 so I won't be ashamed to admit I didn't know much about them. This one is in great shape, and it shoots great. I was told it was made in Germany, but don't know much else.

Can anybody tell me more about it? Serial number is FR23630 and it has the following on the left side of the receiver in rather small letters:
ceskoslovenska a Brojovka A.S.

VZ . 24 BRNO

It's an 8mm.

Thanks for the help.
Greg


------------------
"Happiness is a warm gun" John Lennon 1966
 
I must disagree on the identification.
The prefex "FR" in the serial number I would interpret as "Series F, Romanian Contract". If so, it was made in Brno, Czechoslovakia in the 30's for the Romanian Government, which had a huge contract with the Czech's for these rifles at that time.
It is a VZ 24 (VZ = Vzor = Model), as noted.
It is, as noted, a standard Mauser action and these are bring sold in this country at this time in large numbers.
If in good condition, it is an exellent rifle.
 
The Vz24 is an 1898 Mauser action, but is not a copy of the German K98k of WWII, because it came out before the K98k. The rifle was made in Czechoslovakia, not Germany. The Vz24 does not have the slot in the stock for the sling. It has two sets of sling swivels; the ones underneath are for infantry, the side set for cavalry, who carried the rifle slung across the back.

The Vz24 is generally considered one of the three best made 98 Mausers, the others being the FN Model 24 and the Mauser Standard Modell. Many feel it is the best even in that company.

Jim
 
Glock:
Hope this will help:
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Mauser:
Other Names: Mauser-Jelen
Model: 98/22 Rifle:
Short Rifles: VZ-24 VZ-33 and
Mauser system rifles in 7.9mm
Mfg: Brno
Year of Mfg: 1923-24
Cal: 7.92X57mm rimless
Length: 49.2" 1,240mm
Weight: 4.22 kg 9.9 lb
Bbl Length: 29.13-740mm
Grooves: 4 RH concentric
Magazine: Internal charger box 5 rounds
M-Velocity: 870m/sec w/stnd ball

Guns used by the Czechoslovakian forces were distinguished by a crowned twin tailed Lion of Bohemia W a shield on its breast. They were also marked CSK CSZ for Czechoslovakia and
Czechoslovakian Statni vbrojovky. The export weapons usually bore the marks of Czechoslovakia Zbrojovka, Brno.

Czechoslovakia seized independence from Austria-Hungary at the end of WWI, gaining the nucleus of an effectual arms industry from the Skoda factory and many Austro-Hungarian, German and Russian rifles. A factory was created in Brno to make Mausers, equipped with Austro-Hungarian or German machinery supplied as war reparations.

HJN
 
The Czechs bought their Mauser machinery and technical assistance directly from Waffen Fabrik Mauser Obendorf, Germany's best, shortly after the end of WWI. Apparently the equipement supplied was old and beat, but after some difficulties they got a great arms works off the ground and running, one which is still in production to this day.
See their current website at: www.cz-usa.com

[This message has been edited by Herodotus (edited August 22, 2000).]
 
Thanks for the information. All markings:

Left side of receiver:

CESKOSLOVENSKA Z BROJOVKA, A.S. BRNO
VZ .24

LEFT SIDE OF FORWARD TOP OF RECEIVER: SMALL ENCIRCLED M


BARREL RIGHT SIDE:

VZ 24 8MM CZECHO CAI ST AIR VT

These are all the markings I can find on the gun. The barrel ring (I think it's called) or large surface above the forward bolt that on some guns has an emblem, is absolutely plain on this gun.

Thanks,

Greg

------------------
"Happiness is a warm gun" John Lennon 1966
 
Can you mount a scope on one of these rifles without runing the value? I would love to get a Mauser but iron sights and I don't get along. Besides, I just finished "War of the Rats" and feel the need to simulate a bit of history.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top