Yugoslavian M48 photos and questions

[bp2626]

I recently acquired this in trade for my Yugoslavian Mauser collection. I presently have an M98 and M24/47 and have owned an M48A and M48B in the past.

I have a few questions related to things I haven't observed on any of the other variations I have owned.

1) The wood. The wood is very blonde and has lots of grain and even a few knots. It looks like a low quality beech wood. It was my understanding the M48 had walnut stocks initially and beech was used later on, is that right? Also, the serial number (531) isn't stamped in a typical fashion. I'm not sure if it was etched in, or inked in. Is this normal for an M48? Finally, my other stocks were much darker and had a BLO finish. This one seems more glossy or sealed, is it still BLO?

2) The bolt has the serial number on the top of the bolt handle (531) and it also appears to be etched / scratched in versus a clean stamp. The bottom of the bolt handle has a different number stamped on it (902o). Is this a refurbished bolt?

3) The floor plate only has the last two digits of the serial number (31) stamped in small print verus the entire serial number on the other rifles.

Any information is appreciated.

 

[jbmauser]

The stock looks refinished to me. Sanded heavily and then coated with something. The M48's I've owned and examined looked nothing like that. I believe the wood could be elm.

 

[BeaverMeat]

Does it have a 'TRZ' marking on the butt stock?

The Yugoslavians used three types of wood on the M48s. Beech, elm, and walnut. Some 24/47s have used oak.

 

[Hitzy]

The darker heavy grain version is likely elm, I had a nice 24/47 at one time with it.



I've heard people say the light M48 stocks were teak, but I never bought that. Looks like ash, but could also just be a different type of elm.

 

[bp2626]

The stock looks refinished to me. Sanded heavily and then coated with something. The M48's I've owned and examined looked nothing like that. I believe the wood could be elm.

The person I got this from is a respected member of this board and he said he purchased it covered in cosmoline and cleaned it and put it in the safe, never fired it. He went out of his way to import an M60 grenade launcher from europe for this rifle. The crown, bolt face and bore indicate that it's not been fired since being degreased. Also, the area around the buttstock and the channel for the keeper have all their imperfections still so the stock likely wasn't sanded. The finish escapes me.

Does it have a 'TRZ' marking on the butt stock?

The Yugoslavians used three types of wood on the M48s. Beech, elm, and walnut. Some 24/47s have used oak.

There is no TRZ marking on the butt stock. There are a few lightly stamped cartouches under the buttstock but I can't make them out. T in a circle maybe. They could also be more knots.

The darker heavy grain version is likely elm, I had a nice 24/47 at one time with it.

I've heard people say the light M48 stocks were teak, but I never bought that. Looks like ash, but could also just be a different type of elm.

Yes, my stock looks rather like that M24/47. It looks like beech but it's much harder than any beech wood I've handled. I suppose it must be elm.

 

[BeaverMeat]

The darker heavy grain version is likely elm, I had a nice 24/47 at one time with it.



I've heard people say the light M48 stocks were teak, but I never bought that. Looks like ash, but could also just be a different type of elm.

Nice looking 24/47! Been looking for one like that. I have one with an original M24 walnut stock with new elm upper fore stock.

 

[bp2626]

Nice looking 24/47! Been looking for one like that. I have one with an original M24 walnut stock with new elm upper fore stock.

That's actually how the M48 looks, slightly ligher. I just have a low quality camera and poor lighting conditions.

My M24/47 is the same as yours, original walnut stock and elm replacement handguard. Colour is very close.