Slovakian Mausers

[Pisgah]

I titled this Mausers because they may be in a bit of a grey zone when it comes to nomenclature. They are basically Vz-24's built using G.24(t) receivers. One of these examples has been posted here before and came from Denny. The other is a newer acquisition and is very similar to the rifle I purchased from Denny, including sharing two digits in the serial number. I took the photos in a hurry and apologize for the glare in a few of the photos.

 

[Pisgah]

Some individual photos of the example I received from Denny (sn 5454).

 

[Pisgah]

This one should be new to this board. At least I do not remember seeing it posted anywhere before (sn 4050).

 

[Hambone]

http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?16204-Vz-24-dou-42-G-24(t)

 

[Pisgah]

Nice rifle and thanks for adding the link. I am embarrassed to say that I do not remember seeing your rifle in this thread before. Either I have some early onset dementia or I was very busy that week in January, 2015.

 

[Pat]

Man, you knocked that one out of the park, outstanding!
I might be missing something, but is the 'T' marking on the right side of the receivers referred to in the link provided by Hambone simply a Slovakian cross with the top third missing? Look at Pisgah's latest rifle above and it appears to be so.

Pat

 

[Pisgah]

I had wondered about the "T" marking on the right of the receiver ring also. This latest rifle makes it pretty obvious that it is actually a Slovakian cross of Lorraine.

 

[jbmauser]

Those are both outstanding examples Pisgah. Very nice.

 

[mrfarb]

This is the other "type" for lack of a better word. These have bolts in the white but stocks numbered in German style. For what it's worth I think this type is "early" and the other type are "late" only because there are really early versions with this Slovak marking along with Nazi firing proofs. But, the truth is nobody knows when they were made, but I really think it was wartime for sure (all of them).

 

[Pat]

Really no dignified way to say this...

Drooling.

Pat

 

[Bob in OHIO]

Really no dignified way to say this...

Drooling.

Pat

Yes indeed, beautiful rifles!

 

[Hambone]

Man, you knocked that one out of the park, outstanding!
I might be missing something, but is the 'T' marking on the right side of the receivers referred to in the link provided by Hambone simply a Slovakian cross with the top third missing? Look at Pisgah's latest rifle above and it appears to be so.

Pat

Good observation Pat. We haven't had this many of these in one place before. Perhaps the Slovak cross die broke at some point after 4050, losing the top, as we see on firing proof eagle wings. It's not there on my 4782 or Pisgah's 5454. Look at where this difference in the stamping appears in the serials. The rifles are identical but for this tiny distinction which could be explained by a broken die. Farb's rifle is an earlier variant, maybe different run, 3811.

 

[mrfarb]

Problem is, there are rifles lower serial number than mine that are made like the later type, which makes it hard to say that it's a progression. I think the reality is there aren't enough examples to see the correct pattern yet. Here's what I have seen so far in photos:

Late type, early serial:

http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?7935-Very-strange-dou42-G24(t)&highlight=slovak

Early type, Nazi and Slovak proofs:

http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?5315-Slovakian-contract-Vz24-photos&highlight=slovak

Early type, burned in a house fire:

http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?812-dou-42-G24-(t)&highlight=slovak


I'd love to see a good comparison photo of the bolts between 4050 and 5454. That 4050 sold a while back and I wasn't convinced that the bolt was good, still unsure about it due to the shape of the 5 and the misaligned numbers. I agree it's technically correct, but I'd like to see it better.

 

[Stan]

I agree with the great looking rifles....and the drool! Very interesting links in this thread to previous postings.

 

[AndyB]

Yes the rifle could be called Slovakian State contract, or Slovakian army contract, the stamp T is most real a doubble stamp, not of "Lorrain cross" as in reality should be means a Sct.Methodius and Konstantin doubble cross, as by slovak stamp should be on 3 hills positioned, the so called second bunch with dou42 recievers are typical with one single E/A80 proof for not finished recievers of dou42 G24(t) production, that were used so the dating is earliest as middle to 1942 to see, when the Zbrojovka Brno Waag Bystritz Werk was switched to K98k production.
By some of the rifles was found a slovak proof on left reciever under wood line or only partly visible.
The Slovakian state ordered only Vz.24 prewar CS configuration.
b.r.Andy

 

[Pat]

Hi Andy,
I'm familiar with the traditional cross/three hills stamp you referred to, often on it's side rather than a 'straight up' orientation. I'm sure you've forgotten more about these than I'll ever know, but are you sure about the 'T' stamp being present in that form and location on other Slovakian arms? Taking a closer look at the picture I'm referring to (Post #3 of this thread, photo #5 of 13), the upper horizontal bar of the cross appears to be shorter on both sides. If it was a double strike of the die, I would expect another or at least a deeper vertical line and equal horizontal length of the second bar, but I'm not seeing that. Granted, this would easier to see if the marking had not been filled in with white paint, but under magnification I'm not seeing the signs of a double strike that I usually see.

Thanks,
Pat

 

[Pisgah]

He can speak for himself but I'm reading what he wrote to mean that the double cross in this case is more accurately described as a Saint Methodius and Konstantin cross and not a cross of Lorraine. I don't really have any doubt that it is actually a double cross but was either half struck or had a damaged die later on.

 

[AndyB]

Yes i understand, but as mentioned already to John Wall some years ago the T stamp is in most reality a fireproof, in place where normally on earlier CS VZ.24 rifles was a CS lion stamp as fireproof. The Sct.Methodius and Konstantine(Cyril) prophets cross was used by slovakian crest on 3 hills for acceptance of Slovak army since 1940. The form of the slovak proof is on second link on rifle 556 serialed. Normally was it stamped in front of serial number or in the area of left reciever. The slovak cross has inner parts of the stamp holow.b.r.Andy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Slovakia

 

[Pat]

Thanks Andy-
Pat

 

[AndyB]

Is there any good picture of the backsights of the rifle 4050? thanks.b.r.Andy