GEM
Senior Member
Attached pictures show a mismatched VZ 24 made in 1929. I bought this at a local small show several years ago and looking for opinions about what I am seeing.
Serial number: 6091I2. Bolt, small bolt parts, bolt release, trigger guard, upper band have been scrubbed and re-marked with the first two or three digits of the serial number ("609" or "09"). (Seems like a variation of the German practice but haven't seen anything like this before.)
The chamber is marked with standard CZ marks, Czech rampant lion proof, E29 and a German Nitro proof (assumed to have been applied when new barrel was installed). Almost all other parts are stamped with a small CZ mark. The follower has a German WWI-style imperial mark.
The barrel is German. It was apparently re-barreled and refinished in Germany in 1940. There are typical 98k style barrel codes including a Geco logo, 1940 barrel date, two commercial nitro proof marks, a heart symbol, Wa211 and a crude asterix star stamp. The barrel has a 98k style step. (Can't recall if a standard VZ 24 has a step or tapered barrel.) The bore is mirror.
The bolt was scrubbed and renumbered "609." There are faint remnants of a Czech style serial number along the length of the bolt handle. The extractor collar has an E655. Smaller bolt parts have been scrubbed and renumbered "09." Bolt appears to have been a Czech straight bolt bent to a 98k profile.
What is noteworthy is that the metal finish is a very high quality commercial blue. Similar to the very best seen on prewar hunting rifles or early Mauser Standard rifles. The wear patterns on the bolt and other parts and uniformity of the finish color and application seems consistent. The lack of wear on the bolt face seems to indicate that it has not been fired or fired much since it was refurbished.
The stock is mismatched to the gun. Usual handling dings but has not been sanded. Research indicates that the stock disk marking (19 HN 946) is a designation for Czech. 19th Border Guard Battalion, Weapon 946.
The sling is unmarked with heavy cross hatching. It appears unused and in excellent shape. I have been told that it is a correct Czech sling original to the rifle.
My speculation is that this rifle was captured after the 1938 German occupation and then sent to Germany for repair/upgrade. Given the German commercial nitro proofs and high quality finish it was likely intended for commercial sales rather than military issue? Or I could be totally wrong....
Thoughts?
Serial number: 6091I2. Bolt, small bolt parts, bolt release, trigger guard, upper band have been scrubbed and re-marked with the first two or three digits of the serial number ("609" or "09"). (Seems like a variation of the German practice but haven't seen anything like this before.)
The chamber is marked with standard CZ marks, Czech rampant lion proof, E29 and a German Nitro proof (assumed to have been applied when new barrel was installed). Almost all other parts are stamped with a small CZ mark. The follower has a German WWI-style imperial mark.
The barrel is German. It was apparently re-barreled and refinished in Germany in 1940. There are typical 98k style barrel codes including a Geco logo, 1940 barrel date, two commercial nitro proof marks, a heart symbol, Wa211 and a crude asterix star stamp. The barrel has a 98k style step. (Can't recall if a standard VZ 24 has a step or tapered barrel.) The bore is mirror.
The bolt was scrubbed and renumbered "609." There are faint remnants of a Czech style serial number along the length of the bolt handle. The extractor collar has an E655. Smaller bolt parts have been scrubbed and renumbered "09." Bolt appears to have been a Czech straight bolt bent to a 98k profile.
What is noteworthy is that the metal finish is a very high quality commercial blue. Similar to the very best seen on prewar hunting rifles or early Mauser Standard rifles. The wear patterns on the bolt and other parts and uniformity of the finish color and application seems consistent. The lack of wear on the bolt face seems to indicate that it has not been fired or fired much since it was refurbished.
The stock is mismatched to the gun. Usual handling dings but has not been sanded. Research indicates that the stock disk marking (19 HN 946) is a designation for Czech. 19th Border Guard Battalion, Weapon 946.
The sling is unmarked with heavy cross hatching. It appears unused and in excellent shape. I have been told that it is a correct Czech sling original to the rifle.
My speculation is that this rifle was captured after the 1938 German occupation and then sent to Germany for repair/upgrade. Given the German commercial nitro proofs and high quality finish it was likely intended for commercial sales rather than military issue? Or I could be totally wrong....
Thoughts?
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