komet45
Well-known member
I recently acquired this rifle with the express purpose of using it for parts to complete other projects, but as I took a closer look I became more hesitant to "disturb" the condition I found it in...
The barrel and receiver appear to be matching, the receiver clearly marked "dou. / 44" and appropriate "Eagle A80" Waffenamt stamps are also present. C block serial number. No import mark present. The unmatched bolt is well marked with a variety of numbers and stamps, mostly consisting of "Eagle 63" stamps. The bolt sleeve does have what appears to be a Romanian "CM" stamp on it's interior side. Of note, the sleeve and safety both appear to have "matching" serial numbers. The trigger guard and floor plate appear to be from a Gewehr 98, each piece has a matching serial number and what appear to be Imperial German arsenal inspection stamps, "Crown P." The follower has a Turkish crescent stamp on it. Most of the rear sight components have matching serial numbers and "Eagle 214" stamps. The front barrel band also appears to have come from a Gewehr 98 and is marked with a serial number and a "Crown C" stamp. The rear barrel band is typical of vz.24 rifles, is marked with a "Circle Z" export stamp and has had it's original spanner screw cut. Of note, the cut is not typical of the style found on German reworks.
Perhaps the most interesting part of this rifle is the stock. A flat German steel buttplate is attached, clearly marked with an "Eagle WaA 63" stamp, a lined-out serial and a second serial. It appears to be a Czech vz.24 stock and has very similar measurements when compared to a 1939 Czech vz.24 I have on hand. Both stocks are approximately 39.5" in length, though the "mystery" stock's wrist measures 5 5/8" in diameter, while the 1939 example measures 5 7/8". Also of note, the finger grooves on either stock are slightly different dimensions. The 1939 example has a finger groove length of 4 7/8", while the "mystery" stock has a length of 4 1/2". Of particular interest, the stock appears to have been modified to meet German specs, as there is a slot cut for a sling and a bolt takedown disc installed. A "notch" has been cut to allow the bolt root to operate without obstruction and the cut appears to be very clean and precise. The lower sling swivel remains, and is marked with a "Star" stamp. I have read that some of these "star" stamps indicate parts made by Mauser Oberndorf for foreign export contracts that were unused. The sling swivel appears similar to those sometimes seen on Mauser Standardmodell rifles. I cannot locate any signs of a side sling swivel ever being attached or being removed and plugged, which is typical of German modification. The stock is unmarked externally but I have located several numbers stamped on the interior channels. There is an "F" stamped near the rear tang, a "2" stamped near the recoil lug, what appears to be serial number "9920 b," and what appears to be a "0" near the cleaning rod nut. The upper handguard is made from a different wood and appears to be custom fitted to this rifle. The wood is cracked and appears to be from a similar era of production. The bayonet lug is not fully seated on the end of the stock, though it appears to be "stuck" in place without a rivet. I gently investigated it's attachment with a few taps from a brass punch and decided not to proceed after it showed no signs of movement. Pushing the intrigue further, the lug has been drilled and fitted with a Spanish Ricchieri adaptor.
Below, please find two links to rifles recently sold with similar stock configurations. Of note, both stocks appear to have been modified by the Germans and NEITHER exhibit removed and plugged left-side sling swivels:
www.legacy-collectibles.com
My ultimate question in this matter is simple; do you believe that any of these parts were purposefully put together during World War 2, or immediately thereafter, for military service? There is nothing better than having a good "historical mystery" on your hands to find clues and research, but a good detective must not allow themselves to be consumed with the "fantasy" to such an extent that "fact" no longer is the guiding force. While most of these parts appear to be unrelated, there is a distinct but slim "thread" that COULD connect them all. The common factor I find in almost all of these pieces is the connection to Czechoslovakia and Waffenfabrik Brunn. Lots of "63" parts were coming into Brno from Mauser, and Brno purchased the entire lot of parts and tooling for the Gewehr 98, making all of these parts readily available in Czechoslovakia. Could this be a Late War "scraps from the cutting floor" rifle or a Post War factory souvenir?? Though I still firmly believe that this is in fact a "parts rifle" assembled most likely by another fellow Mauser enthusiast, I wanted to consult with a REAL panel of experts first before I do anything regrettable. This is my first post in this forum after many years of "unofficial" tutelage and I truly look forward to any insight and advisement you would be willing to offer me!
The barrel and receiver appear to be matching, the receiver clearly marked "dou. / 44" and appropriate "Eagle A80" Waffenamt stamps are also present. C block serial number. No import mark present. The unmatched bolt is well marked with a variety of numbers and stamps, mostly consisting of "Eagle 63" stamps. The bolt sleeve does have what appears to be a Romanian "CM" stamp on it's interior side. Of note, the sleeve and safety both appear to have "matching" serial numbers. The trigger guard and floor plate appear to be from a Gewehr 98, each piece has a matching serial number and what appear to be Imperial German arsenal inspection stamps, "Crown P." The follower has a Turkish crescent stamp on it. Most of the rear sight components have matching serial numbers and "Eagle 214" stamps. The front barrel band also appears to have come from a Gewehr 98 and is marked with a serial number and a "Crown C" stamp. The rear barrel band is typical of vz.24 rifles, is marked with a "Circle Z" export stamp and has had it's original spanner screw cut. Of note, the cut is not typical of the style found on German reworks.
Perhaps the most interesting part of this rifle is the stock. A flat German steel buttplate is attached, clearly marked with an "Eagle WaA 63" stamp, a lined-out serial and a second serial. It appears to be a Czech vz.24 stock and has very similar measurements when compared to a 1939 Czech vz.24 I have on hand. Both stocks are approximately 39.5" in length, though the "mystery" stock's wrist measures 5 5/8" in diameter, while the 1939 example measures 5 7/8". Also of note, the finger grooves on either stock are slightly different dimensions. The 1939 example has a finger groove length of 4 7/8", while the "mystery" stock has a length of 4 1/2". Of particular interest, the stock appears to have been modified to meet German specs, as there is a slot cut for a sling and a bolt takedown disc installed. A "notch" has been cut to allow the bolt root to operate without obstruction and the cut appears to be very clean and precise. The lower sling swivel remains, and is marked with a "Star" stamp. I have read that some of these "star" stamps indicate parts made by Mauser Oberndorf for foreign export contracts that were unused. The sling swivel appears similar to those sometimes seen on Mauser Standardmodell rifles. I cannot locate any signs of a side sling swivel ever being attached or being removed and plugged, which is typical of German modification. The stock is unmarked externally but I have located several numbers stamped on the interior channels. There is an "F" stamped near the rear tang, a "2" stamped near the recoil lug, what appears to be serial number "9920 b," and what appears to be a "0" near the cleaning rod nut. The upper handguard is made from a different wood and appears to be custom fitted to this rifle. The wood is cracked and appears to be from a similar era of production. The bayonet lug is not fully seated on the end of the stock, though it appears to be "stuck" in place without a rivet. I gently investigated it's attachment with a few taps from a brass punch and decided not to proceed after it showed no signs of movement. Pushing the intrigue further, the lug has been drilled and fitted with a Spanish Ricchieri adaptor.
Below, please find two links to rifles recently sold with similar stock configurations. Of note, both stocks appear to have been modified by the Germans and NEITHER exhibit removed and plugged left-side sling swivels:

SOLD - Romanian-Contract BRNO Vz 24 - Nazi Rework
3/31/22 - This is a Czech BRNO Vz 24 rifle that was part of the Romanian contract - produced during the reign of King Carol II of Romania. As such this rifle was marked with the Crest of King Carol II. Today, these crests are extremely rare as most were removed during post war refurbishment by...

My ultimate question in this matter is simple; do you believe that any of these parts were purposefully put together during World War 2, or immediately thereafter, for military service? There is nothing better than having a good "historical mystery" on your hands to find clues and research, but a good detective must not allow themselves to be consumed with the "fantasy" to such an extent that "fact" no longer is the guiding force. While most of these parts appear to be unrelated, there is a distinct but slim "thread" that COULD connect them all. The common factor I find in almost all of these pieces is the connection to Czechoslovakia and Waffenfabrik Brunn. Lots of "63" parts were coming into Brno from Mauser, and Brno purchased the entire lot of parts and tooling for the Gewehr 98, making all of these parts readily available in Czechoslovakia. Could this be a Late War "scraps from the cutting floor" rifle or a Post War factory souvenir?? Though I still firmly believe that this is in fact a "parts rifle" assembled most likely by another fellow Mauser enthusiast, I wanted to consult with a REAL panel of experts first before I do anything regrettable. This is my first post in this forum after many years of "unofficial" tutelage and I truly look forward to any insight and advisement you would be willing to offer me!
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