While I recently had posted pictures of my Romanian Vz.24 Split Rings mount sniper rifle (see http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread....it-Rings-mount) I noticed that I had never posted pictures of one of these with the Single Scope Mount Bracket Type sniper rifles. These are those of which WWII period pictures exist showing them in usage.
Therefore I decided to take the time and picture one of my Romanian Vz.24 Sniper rifles (yes, they aren't that uncommon over here and I have a few of them) for reference here. Notice that the scope bracket is both serialized to match the rifle, as well as the scope serial number. Scope has been produced by I.O.R. in Romania, a company that nowadays still makes scopes. The similarity to the Russian scopes is quite obvious.
Since these sniper rifles were used by Germans (or Allied of Germans) I consider them German WWII sniper rifles. Especially since they are a Mauser action too.
24s have a letter followed by an 'R' in the serial number; for example SR 1XXX. 24s 'AR', 'BR', 'CR'. All the way through 'YR' represent different periods of manufacturing, no rifle with 'ZR' has been found. Also, in Romania, the rifle's official name was ZB. VZ-24: Knife bayonet for use on the 8mm. Czechoslovakian VZ–24 Mauser rifle. These bayonets were made in large numbers for export during the 1930s, including a sizeable contract for Romania that began in 1938. This bayonet bears both the Romanian 'CM' marking and the Romanian-format serial number used with their VZ–24 rifles. BRNO VZ24 8mm (R26438) Description: BRNO VZ24 8mm caliber rifle. Romanian contract. Crest is mostly ground. Serial numbers are non-matching. Bore has strong rifling with light pitting. Good overall condition. SOLD Curio/Relic: Yes. Oct 26, 2016 I was lucky and picked up a very early serial number matching CZ 24. Serial number 2976. I know from research that the Czeck government approve the CZ24 design by August of 1925 and production soon started after that. This article is about the bolt-action rifle.
Vz 24 For Sale
Could anyone provide some information regarding a Romanian VZ 24 (ZB). I purchased one recently, but I am not entirely certain about its history. There is no year or crest on the receiver. The only marks are the serial number (UR21XXX), the CM mark (which I was told was placed on imports accepted by Romania), and the manufacturer's marks: Zbrojovka Brno, A.S. V.Z.24. The claim made by the dealer was that the crest was scrubbed by the Romanians in 1947. That this happened makes sense, of course. The claim that this rifle was rearsenaled by the Russians does not. The mettal shows some wear, but it has clearly been reblued, and all parts electropencilled to match the receiver. The handguard seems original, but the stock looks new and appears to be made from a different wood. Intrestingly, the stock has a tiny cartouche, which resembles the emblem on the slovak flag (double cross atop three hills). Furthermore, I cannot identify the origin of the sling, which incidentally, does not seem to go with the VZ 24. My main question is, who rearsenalled this rifle? Was it really the Russians? If so, how would they have acquired it after 1947? How come the stock is new but not the handguard? I look forward to hearing input on the history of VZ 24's. Thanks.