school me on the vz24

koesdibyo

koesdibyo

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bought the tradex combo; of course for the m38, but this rifle came with the pack. Now while it is beautiful, I have no idea on its origins or where to begin with it. I will admit, I did have intentions on selling this rifle off to offset the cost of the pack when I first bought it... Ive actually grown fond if it and it fits me very well.

Serial number on the bolt is electropencilled in, but all numbers seem to be matching (from what numbers I have found). There is a "M" stamped in on the right side of the receiver, and on the left side has the serial. The top has what seems to be a faint/faded/or perhaps ground down remains of some sort of stamp.

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Looks like a Czech made vz24 on contract for Romania just prior to ww2, captured by the soviets during ww2, and refurbished by them after ww2.

The ground off crest is what remains of the Romanian coat of arms.
 
Thanks guys, really helpful. Props goes out to all the experts in the milsurp world; there is so much information to know, and how you guys keep it all up there without your head exploding is beyond me
 
Nabs got it nailed down pretty much. Romanian contract VZ-24 made in Czechoslovakia.

The Czech VZ-24's are a really high quality M98. This one has been refurbished with the crest partially removed and parts force matched but is still a fine example and definitely collectible.

I have one of these RC VZ-24's but mine has the Czech rampant lion crest on it and still intact. They are really nice and if I were you I would seriously consider keeping it. Great pieces of WW2 history.
 
just on the odd chance that someone has bolt number A5 259 or if you need bolt number 7176....send me a PM....maybe, just maybe we can match up a few bolts to the rifle...cheers....wolf
 
FWIW, MOST VZ24's saw service on the Eastern Front during WW2, as the Germans tended to funnel these to Romania, Slovakia and other balkan axis forces, most of whom fought in the east. The SS had a lot of VZ24's when they invaded France as the Wehrmacht didn't spare them enough K98k rifles at that time. As K98k's were sourced for the SS, those VZ's were freed up for axis troops and similarly went west.

The few "vet bring back" non-refurb and non-import marked matching VZ24's we see in Canada and the States are typically either the odd rifle used by fortress troops (think Atlantic Wall), or have been converted to G24(t) pattern rifles and issued to rear units of the Wehrmacht. These are actually much rarer than correct vet bring back K98k's, but owing to their not being as well known, often bring lower prices.

For example, the vet bring back VZ24 I'm selling (in the EE) got no interest at $1200 and limited interest at $1000 - mostly in the form of trades being offered. If I listed one of my vet bring back matching K98k's, it would sell for $1800 in a matter of hours methinks.

Also, the Czech guns are (in my opinion) better made rifles than German K98k's and the RC VZ24's are nicer rifles that shoot better than the average K98k RC.
 
jbmauser said:
Nabs got it nailed down pretty much. Romanian contract VZ-24 made in Czechoslovakia.

The Czech VZ-24's are a really high quality M98. This one has been refurbished with the crest partially removed and parts force matched but is still a fine example and definitely collectible.

I have one of these RC VZ-24's but mine has the Czech rampant lion crest on it and still intact. They are really nice and if I were you I would seriously consider keeping it. Great pieces of WW2 history.
Click to expand...
How is the surplus situation to feed these pigs? With the overseas ammo supply drying up, the demand to start stocking up is already there... but is this a common caliber to find surplus for?

Also, is there a way to date the rifle? Serial is PR 395... Im hoping there is some sort of "formula" that they used that the letters dictate a factory or a numerical value to place it in such and such a year.
 
Forget surplus. It will be over $1/rd. Commercial ammo is available from S&B and Winchester for the same price, and it's reload able and non-corrosive. The Winchester is a bit under-powered, if you care.

These rifles REALLY shine if you reload. These are not SKS's meant for plinking thousands of rounds a week, they are bolt-actions and will really shine with good quality hand loads.
 
I've got a Danish Schultz and Larsen that is built on a VZ24 action. It still has the crest on it. These were all supposedly built using leftover German rifles after the war, so a few of them must have found there way to front line troops there.
Kristian
 
Claven2 said:
Forget surplus. It will be over $1/rd. Commercial ammo is available from S&B and Winchester for the same price, and it's reload able and non-corrosive. The Winchester is a bit under-powered, if you care.

These rifles REALLY shine if you reload. These are not SKS's meant for plinking thousands of rounds a week, they are bolt-actions and will really shine with good quality hand loads.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. I apologize for my lack of knowledge on the matter and am hoping to get into reloading in the new year, so that would be awesome if I could benefit by saving and doing my own reloading on it as well.
Im actually quite happy this piece came in the package... and despite being very happy with my M38 (in M44 stock); this may be the true keeper of the bunch. Not sure why it's so alluring to me, it just "feels right"
 
koesdibyo said:
How is the surplus situation to feed these pigs? With the overseas ammo supply drying up, the demand to start stocking up is already there... but is this a common caliber to find surplus for?

Also, is there a way to date the rifle? Serial is PR 395... Im hoping there is some sort of "formula" that they used that the letters dictate a factory or a numerical value to place it in such and such a year.
Click to expand...

The last two digits of the year should be stamped right next to the proof on the left side of the receiver. I can't make it out in your pics. Perhaps it was removed when the crest was ground.

I can post a pic of mine so you know where to look if you need.
 
Nothing there but the serial of PR395; must have been ground out. I can see some markings on the receiver where you're mentioning, but i dont know if theyre just scratches/dings or actually very faint stamps.
 
On the op's rifle you can see that the original serial on the reciever appears to have been partially ground off and restamped. I'm thinking the proof/date was also removed at that time.
 
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