24 rifle was widely exported and enjoyed usage during and after World War 2, noticeably by Romania, Iran, Guatemala, China and others. The rifle was also produced in nearby Slovakia, a German ally and puppet state during the war. 24 was produced for the German armed forces during its occupation. The carbine followed a similar trend in weapon design at the time, that a short rifle gave away little in ballistic efficiency at combat ranges, but was easier to handle on account of its shorter length.ĭuring World War II, the vz. The rifle was designed in Czechoslovakia shortly after World War I, featuring a 600 mm (23.6') barrel which was shorter and considered more handy than the 150 mm (5.9') -longer Gewehr 98. It was developed from the famous Mauser Gewehr 98 line, and features a very similar bolt design. 24 rifle is a bolt-action carbine designed and produced in Czechoslovakia from 1924 to 1942. Last edited by dave 10-10-2011 at 06:49.8×57mm IS, 7×57mm Mauser, 7.65×53mm Argentine ĥ-round internal box magazine, two-row, integral box, with quickly detachable floorplate Many of these spare recievers were used during the early 30's, with a couple different markings. The O3 example from my list seems to be one of these with that worded stamping on the reciever ring, made in the 1920's.

Keep in mind, many recivers were made much earlier and not used until the 1930's to assemble complete rifles.

PS: there was no Czech Eagle, it was a standing lion, small stamps being a stick figure. The E (L) date could also have been removed when re-built. Your rifle should have the standing lion reciever crest (after 1933) or perhaps be stamped CS ZAVODY NA VYROBU ZBRANI BRNO on the reciever ring, so it is a rebuild and was removed. This is the date rifle was accepted by the Czech military but manufacture date should be close, at least the year. The only O3 on the list is E (lion) 35 (stippled over). My list of observed rifle serials shows all 3 series made from 1931 thru about 1936 (there is also a B4 thrown in that lot) Many have the E (lion) date stippled or peened indicating a post war rebuild.

This was the Czech military serial system and was not used on export rifles. Is there a small stamp that reads like this E (tiny standing stick lion) and two numbers like 35? The 03 before the serial indicates rifle was made at Brno, if it was before the serial it would mean it was made at Bysterica.The o3 means it is the third time thru the alpahbet (do not know if they used all 26 letters).

Vz24 Mauser Serial Numbers