ZaUlm vz23/24 depot build

[RyanE]

Posting some better pics of this one. Late vz24 depot build (on a vz23 receiver) by HZa Ulm. All parts are Czech except for the follower which is E/1. Barrel is a 39 dated Czech made spare. I apologize about all the white grease or whatever it is, but removing it was turning into a chore.

Mark on the RR is clearly ZaUlm (possibly ZaUlm1), and I am confident the handguard ZaUlm5 acceptance is legit also. Some of the wood work is a little rough, so I am assuming the handguard is German made. Stock disc is an E/26 (Borsigwalde) spare marked with Spandau acceptance (SuWW) and dated 1942. Rear band lacks any serial number, but I doubt its been replaced. There is something scribbled in the stock channel but I cannot make it out. No markings on the stock aside from the SN and a M on the grip.

Came with a very nice 38 dated Czech sling also. A little fragile though, so I removed it.

 

[RyanE]

Some more of the handguard in detail.

 

[mdarnell19]

Very cool and a interesting piece of history.

 

[Pat]

Excellent rifle that I'd be pleased to have in my own collection. I was initially dismissive of this one when I saw it, based on the odd location of the HZa stamp inside the hand guard and the appearance of the RR stamp. In the better light in which you took these pictures, it appears entirely legit to me. Two observations stick out to me:

-There were NO hard and fast rules when it came to German reworks of Czech rifles. I recently acquired a non-depot marked VZ-24 that was extensively renumbered and has some strong similarities and consistencies with yours, and some differences, too.

-As impressive as this rifle is, I'm more impressed by the research and homework you did to corroborate markings and compare other examples to lead you to your decision to bid. That's the mark of a true student of this hobby, and a standard that many of us would love to reach. Very, very well done.

Pat

 

[heavy10]

Excellent rifle. I believe the receiver may have originally been what some collectors call a 98/22 or Vz.22, which was the long rifle variant before the Vz.23/24 short rifles began production. IIRC, the 'E' block was the last of these long rifles; the first, original no-prefix series were straight Gew.98 pattern with LV rear sight and short hand guard (many with German inspected parts). The 'A' thru 'E' blocks were Czech pattern rear sights with the long hand guard. The Vz.23 short rifles started in the late 'E' and early 'F' prefix range (going by memory). Many of the 98/22's ended up in Turkey after their Czech service. A member here, I think Bob in Ohio, had a similar rebuild that utilized a 98/22 receiver. There are some older discussions of the Vz.22/23/24 progression on Gunboards, a lot of which John Wall contributed greatly to.

 

[AndyB]

Reciever is Vz.23,Brno replacement barell already made for germans, the ZA proofs of Ulm 5 and 1 looks much more better as mentioned UL45 reffered in previous post,b.r.Andy

 

[Noxswg]

Very nice, I'll be kicking myself for years for not bidding on it Happy it went to a fellow member at least!

 

[mrfarb]

Don't kick yourself. Very few realized exactly what this was. Wait, only 1 guy did and he got it. Keep studying and one day that guy will be you. [emoji1360]

 

[Hambone]

I was skeptical of certain aspects but still would have bid, but I'm tapped out on a remodel...I don't think the handguard is a Czech. made part, crude on the inside, and the inspect could be consistent to show finishing to fit. I feel better about it than I did.

 

[Stan]

Very nice looking rifle! Has the date on the stock disc been seen before?

 

[RyanE]

Very nice looking rifle! Has the date on the stock disc been seen before?

The SuWw (or sometimes WwSu, Waffenwerkstatt Spandau) marked parts are always dated. 1942 is the latest I have seen.