Serial numbers can help you track down information about when and where the rifle was made. The second most important marking is the date. Throughout the late 1920s and into the 1930s, Czechoslovakia exported hundreds of thousands of vz. This example, made in 1940, is the final variant to carry the VZ24 designation until post-War production resumed in 1946. Yugo M48 BO Mauser Rifle. Mauser-Werke AG, Oberndorf a./N, Late code for [5], Many South American countries purchased the vz. Start a new conversation today! Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Sadly there is not a lot of information on the Polish Mauser and what I gathered I kind of piece meal together some information. Action is the 1903 Intermediate with High Clip . This tells you that your rifle has been tested and approved by a proof house. Overall, the rifle was 1,100mm (43.3in) long, and it weighed 4.2 kilograms (9.2lb). 24 was a bolt-action design based on the Mauser action, featuring a straight bolt handle. The nose cap, bottom rear of the bolt body, the bottom metal, rear of the buttplate, top of the rear sight and the bottom of the grip are each marked with a circled Z stamp. I am indebted to Czechoslovakian collector/researcher Michal Uher for providing period documentation clarifying the proper designation for these bayonets. [3], Iranian models will always retain the Persian numerals on the sights. These can provide a lot of insight into the history and provenance of a rifle. Set Descending Direction. At least I can hope that my barrel / receiver can date back to 1931. http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=142554. It could have been something drummed up to help sell it. German WW2-era military rifles usually have markings on the receiver, The most important marking is the manufacturers stamp, which will tell you where the rifle was made. Czech Mauser; Czech Mauser. slowly destroying an ancient artifact by using it), and figured a cheaper non-German k98k would be the way to go. receiver, and the number below the code is the year in which the part was Each manufacturer has their own unique stamp. [3] Nevertheless, Brno developed the long vz. JavaScript is disabled. barrel was test fired with cartridges loaded with a larger charge of The top of the receiver is marked CESKOSLOVENSKA / ZBROJOVKA / =BRNO=. Come join the discussion about collections, gear, DIY projects, hobbies, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! AG, Werk Borsigwalde, Berlin-Borsigwalde, Eichborndamm. . 23A, which consisted of newly manufactured components. The top rear of the receiver shows scrapes and an area of thinning. I have a Czech BRNO factory rifle that I'm trying to gather more info on. It was not until 1944, after significant defeats at the hands of the Soviet Red Army, that Romania joined the Allies. The primary chambering was for 7.9257mm Mauser, but export variants were also chambered for 757mm Mauser and 7.6553mm Argentine. These rifles were used against Paraguay during the Chaco War in the 1930s,[9] and many of them were captured by the Paraguayan Army, which in turn used them against Bolivia. We will also provide some examples of common markings that you may find on a K98 rifle. [6], The vz. Maschinenfabriken, Werk Luebeck, Late code for "E" - pistol grip 2. Modified VZ24 bayonets were used extensively by Germany during the Second World War. Czech Vz24 Mauser Rifle REF. You're currently reading page 1; Page 2; Page Next; Show. The French freighter Gravelines, which carried all the material, managed to get the weapons to Bordeaux from where they were sent by land across the border to Catalonia. Very interesting. I looked all over the internet and I could not find another mauser model that matches with the one I have. Mauser K-98k. 98/22, also a Czech-designed derivative of the Gewehr 98. It is a M98/22 so it has the 30 inch barrel. The scabbard is of blued sheet-rolled-steel. Serial#DR21260 - Romanian ordered I believe. After the defeat of the Second Spanish Republic, Generalissimo Francisco Franco kept the rifles that survived the battle until 1959, when they were sold to Interarms. Czech vz.24 "Mauser" Identification and Age? | Survivalist Forum It was developed from the German Mauser Gewehr 98 line, and features a very similar bolt design. 24 was used in Catalonia and the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula and saw action in the Battle of the Ebro, where the vz. Any help on additional markings would be greatly appreciated, I would love to get some history on this one! [26], In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Romanian Army decided to adopt the vz. The top of the bolt handle is marked with the serial number. View of typical Czech bayonet markings, "CSZ" stamped on blade ricasso and scabbard . However, some rifles may only have one set of markings. At least 150 of the rifles were chambered in 7mm Mauser, with at least as many also chambered in 7.9257mm Mauser. Bore is in excellent condition. The following year, the factory began producing the first short rifles based on the German Gewehr 98 design, the Mauser Jelen. This example was made in 1923 by eskoslovensk zbrojovka a.s., Brno. The K-98k is a bolt action rifle that was built on the Model 98 system in the 8mm Mauser caliber. below it. There are three main manufacturers of Mauser rifles: Mauser-Werke Oberndorf in Germany, Fabrique Nationale dArmes de Guerre in Belgium, and Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG in Austria. 98/22.. Jan 29, 2013. I did some checking on my available resources (BOOKS! In 1922, it was chosen to build a derivative of the Mexican Mauser 1912. Czechoslovakia produced the Kar 98k rifle and VZ24 bayonet from 19461950 for both domestic use and for export contracts. As this was the only Czechoslovakian bayonet officially designated VZ-23, the "Long" suffix is superfluous. http://www.surplusrifle.com/brnovz24/index.asp, Wilderness Survival, Hiking and Camping Forum. There is one dark area of discoloration on the left side of the stock. It was designed by Paul Mauser and Wilhelm Gutbrod, and it fires the standard German infantry round, the .30-06 Springfield cartridge. [4][2], The vz.24 became the primary rifle of the Czechoslovak Army before World War II. They requested rifle modifications and that the 400 mm. There are a few handling marks, especially on the barrel and front barrel band and a noticeable scratch on the floor plate. 24s saw action in Ukraine, Bessarabia, and in particularly heavy fighting during the Battle of Stalingrad. In 1940, Germany ordered 150,000 VZ24 rifles and bayonets be produced for Romania, who had joined the Axis Powers in November 1939. [24][25] Over the course of 1941 and 1942, a total between 255,000[6] and 330,000 G24(t)rifles were built before production switched over to the K98ks. The crosspiece and blade are steel. Communist Period VZ24 bayonets are typically marked "tgf", as the Communist Government adopted a Letter Code system similar to that used by Germany from 194045. 98/29 variants were new production guns. #6. The exact number of rifles manufactured between 1938 and 1939 is unknown, but may be less than 10,000, based on serial numbers of surviving rifles. Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The rifles were quickly replaced by the shorter Vz. The scabbard dates from the Post-War pre-Commmunist period. But what I do know is the Polish Arsenal scrubbed out info on the top of the receiver and sold then to Spain during the Spanish Civil War. outstreached wings with the letters WaAxxx below, where xxx is a 2- or 24 featured a 590mm (23.2in) barrel which was shorter and considered more handy than the 740mm (29.1in) Gewehr 98 barrel. [21] In 1967, the secessionist state of Biafra ordered various weapons from Czechoslovakia, including 1,860 vz. During this period, several hundred thousand rifles were also built for the Romanian Army. These codes may apply to German pistols of the same era, but I have no Made by esk Zbrojovka a. s. of Uhersk Brod in the Czech Republic. letters and numbers.) For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. They bear the German Number Code 945, which was assigned to the former Zbrojovka, Brno Plant, under the Zahlencode System (Number Code System) used by Germany from 19251940 to hide the identities of firms manufacturing war materiel. per page. The buttplate is also stamped RFV. The rifle was designed in Czechoslovakia shortly after World War I, to replace the Vz. Lock, Stock & Barrel Investments Vz. blade of the VZ23 bayonet be shortened by 100 mm., resulting in the VZ24 bayonet with its 300 mm. Post-War Czech K98k (Karabiner 98) Rifle - ImageEvent [12], After World War II, rifles from Czechoslovakia were sent to Iraq. Further refinements produced the vz. 24s that had been ordered by the Latvian Army against the German occupation forces. It was known as the Vz. 7/28/21 - Original 8mm Czechoslovak VZ24 rifle with Lion crest on the receiver and 1937 acceptance marks. 24 in the 1930s, and many of these rifles were captured by German forces during Operation Barbarossa before falling into the hands of the Soviet Army later in the war. Beyond Czech, German and Romanian forces, the vz. We offer a 7 day inspection period and hassle free returns to ensure every customer is happy with whatever they buy from us. czech mauser markings. Also in 1937, Uruguay ordered 6,000 rifles in 7mm, of which 2,000 were vz. 24s were shipped from Murmansk on 1 March 1938, along with other material (T-26 tanks and 76mm French field artillery). 24 also saw action in the Spanish Civil War by the Catalan Republican troops. Jan 9, 2022. Through our YouTube channel, we strive to educate and share the stories behind the artifacts we sell. These were the first bayonets produced under German occupation. Czech Mauser : r/Mauser Make: Ceskoslovenska Zbrojovka, A.S. (Czechoslovakian Arms Factory Ltd.) located in Brno, Czechoslovakia, Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine. Czech Mauser Identification! - milsurps.com ermk passed away in 2012. There are three main manufacturers of Mauser rifles: Mauser-Werke Oberndorf in Germany, Fabrique Nationale dArmes de Guerre in Belgium, and Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG in Austria. GERMAN PROOF MARKS Research continues for the inclusion of Pre-1950 German Proofmarks. [13] Yugoslavia purchased 40,000 rifles in 1926, all of which came from Czechoslovak Army stockpiles, and a further 10,000+ between 1928 and 1930. Scabbard (frog stud): CZ Trademark "E3 (Lion) 46". Range Reports - Show us how good you are. A further order for 240,000rifles was placed in 1930, though these were for the vz.98/29 variant with a longer barrel; another order for 30,000 vz. [14] During World War II, Latvian resistance fighters employed the vz. I've spent the past week or so going through markings, reading histories . The date is usually stamped on the receiver, barrel, or stock. Many K98 rifles were captured by Allied forces and brought back to the United States as war trophies. More info is available in my article, Clarifying The Nomenclature Associated With Early Czechoslovakian Mauser Bayonets. wife get pussy fuck. The bayonet folds to the right side and stows in a depression in the rifle's forestock. 24s. [17] After the war, Japan surrendered the rifles to China, which were then issued to Nationalist forces for use during the Chinese Civil War. Also a dead give away it's a Polish Mauser are the dowel rods used on the hand guard to re-enforced the the beech wood. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition. When Czechoslovakia was founded in 1918, they immediately began planning to establish and arm their own military. ermk worked at Brno as a weapons designer from 1954 until his retirement in 1986. These rifles have receivers marked "tgf 1950" in a style just like the wartime German arsenal codes, but where the codes were random letters, this one stands for "Tschekoslovakische Gewehr Fabrik" or Czechoslovak Rifle Factory in German. The Vz. information about that. It was the standard infantry rifle of the German army from 1898 until 1935, when it was replaced by the Karabiner 98k. The third most important marking is the proof mark. 23 rifle. Over the course of the contract, the Czechs manufactured between 400,000 and 750,000 Romanian vz. 1. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The following table lists the ordnance codes found in Mauser Bolt Rifles by L. Olson (third edition, F. Brownell & Son, 1976, 12th printing 1991). [12] They saw action during the Second Sino-Japanese War in the late 1930s and many of these rifles were captured by Japanese forces. The rear sight is a V notched blade attached to a sliding elevator marked from 3-20. 7 day inspection period on all website purchases. So I just bought a Czech vz.24 today, it is in quite good condition. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. The vz. [27] The first orders for the vz. Welcome to the FORUM.. A forum community dedicated to all firearm owners and enthusiasts. There is a surprising amount of variation in the construction of these bayonets. In this blog post, we will discuss how to decipher Mauser K98 markings. 98/22 Short Rifle variant, though it did not see significant production. 1. AG, Berlin, Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, Werk Steyr, Steyr, Austria, Waffenwerke The CZ commercial trademark is the letter "Z" inside a rifled bore. German WW2-era military rifles usually have markings on the receiver, barrel, rear sight, and stock, from which one can get some information about the history of the piece. Many books refer to this bayonet as VZ-23 "Long." However, the Czechoslovakian designation for this bayonet was VZ-23. Many books refer to this bayonet as VZ23 "Long." 6/18/20 - Original 8mm Czechoslovak VZ24 rifle with Lion crest on the receiver and 1937 acceptance marks. The scabbard is blued. [citation needed], https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vz._98/22&oldid=1092503460, This page was last edited on 10 June 2022, at 18:27. sold to Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Forum. Sword bayonet for use with the 8 mm. This rifle was made with no receiver crest. [5] Between 1924 and 1938, Czechoslovakia manufactured more than 775,600rifles, with the first rifles entering service in 1926. LSB#: 160901RH01 Make: Ceskoslovenska Zbrojovka, A.S. (Czechoslovakian Arms Factory Ltd.) located in Brno, Czechoslovakia Model: VZ 24 Serial Number: 8786A3 Year of Manufacture: 1924-1942 Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm) Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine Markings: There is no visible import mark.The top of the receiver is marked "CESKOSLOVENSKA / ZBROJOVKA / =BRNO=". Throughout the late 1920s and into the 1930s, Czechoslovakia exported hundreds of thousands of vz. The K29 on Gunbroker for $1300 has a serial number of 8659g from Radom circa 1931. The left side of the butt is marked with the serial number (the last digit is small). Most of the Czech rifles were reworked and reused by the Germans, but this remains unmodified as originally issued just prior to the German occupation of the Sudetenland. The later models of this rifle has the same text displayed without the curve to the text. Czech Mauser - Mauser - Bolt Action - Rifles - APEX Gun Parts [8] Colombia ordered 10,000 rifles between 1929 and 1937 and Venezuela purchased an unknown number of rifles in 1930; both countries' rifles were chambered in 7mm. VZ24 bayonets were made by eskoslovensk zbrojovka a.s., Brno. Original Czechoslovakian Army VZ23 bayonets exported had an edge-up blade profile and scabbard with the same frog stud as VZ22 bayonet. It replaced the Gewehr 98 rifles purchased from Germany after the Treaty of Versailles. Lithuanian vz. Some of these rifles were then sent to Vietnam to arm the Viet Cong, and some were captured a third time by American forces during the Vietnam War. This info gathering has turned into internet detective work and by the process of illumination I found some info to be incorrect by verifying secondary sources and some to be right on the money. Our forum has reached over 1385 total members! The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Proof marks are usually found on the receiver, barrel, or stock. [28], Romania was part of the Axis for much of World War II, from 1941 to 1944. AG, Oberndorf a./N, production in 1934, Berlin-Luebecker Maschinenfabriken, Werk Luebeck, Mauser-Werke Rifles by L. Olson (third edition, F. Brownell & Son, 1976, 12th The grip is marked E, D, 3 and with a small heart. I saw talks on 1910 marked rifle and can say this is commercial example made up from inventory Turkish parts. JavaScript is disabled. [11] Peru ordered 5,000 rifles chambered in 7mm in 1934, and Ecuador purchased 30,000 rifles in 7.92mm in 1936. Clarifying The Nomenclature Associated With Early Czechoslovakian Mauser Bayonets, Remaining wartime production was modified to German specifications and designated S 24(t) [Seitengewehr 24, Communist Government adopted a Letter Code system, Return to Bayonet Identification Guide Index. 23 was a shortened version of the vz. These included contracts for several South American countries, most of which were 7 mm or 7.65 mm guns. The Czechoslovak military was particularly picky about the quality of their new service rifles, and only adopted a small number of them into their own military service. 98/29 "musketon" rifles was placed at the same time. The proof mark is important because it assures you that your rifle is safe to fire. The total order was not completed before Czechoslovakia was conquered by Germany. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. 58 with the CZ 805 BREN, however, it still remains in service today. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. E3 is the Brno military acceptance. Markings: There is no visible import mark. The tactical block (Prbojn Adaptr) serves to protect the muzzle and slide, enabling the user to break glass or other light materials while keeping the pistol pointed in the direction of a potential adversary. The LOP measures 13 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Czechoslovakian vz. As a result, there are many K98 rifles in circulation with interesting markings. PDF PROOF MARKS ProoF MarKs - NRA Museum Caliber: usually 7.92x57mm. I found out from one of the Czech Mauser forum that I have a Polish Mauser on a (what could possibly be) VZ24 Mauser stock. Most of our products are unique. Scabbard: "E" (lion) "23" and "CSZ" on frog stud. 5. Just got this Czech VZ24. The bottom set is the rifles serial number. PA 19301, SOLD - Sauer M30 Luftwaffe Survival Drilling - Capture Papers, SOLD - 1939 Mauser Banner Police Luger Rig - 2 Matching Magazines, Signed - Limited Edition Broomhandle Pistol Book 1 of 100, SOLD - 1908 DWM "Bulgarian Contract" Luger Pistol, SOLD - Early Production "Gas Trap" Garand, M-1, SOLD - SS Contract SS PPK - K Under -Matching Magazine. The wood stock is excellent. Czechoslovakian VZ24 Mauser Rifle - Lion Crest - Legacy Collectibles Also, this rifle does have a very large trigger guard, which I know was made for winter combat with gloves. The vz. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! The blade and crosspiece have a phosphate finish. Germany acquired hundreds of thousands of the rifles in 1939 when they occupied Czechoslovakia and pressed them into service under the designation "Gewehr 24(t)"; during the occupation, production of the rifles continued until 1942, when the factories were converted to the German-designed Karabiner 98k. [8], Starting in 1927, the Chinese Nationalist government began ordering rifles, and by 1937 had purchased 195,000vz. [2] However, they remained in service in China into the 1950s and Kurdistan rebels still used it in the 2010s.[2]. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. The biggest difference between the two is the length of the barrel. A cleaning rod was stored in the stock under the barrel. Each initial letter denotes manufacturing blocks of 25,000 rifles. However, the Czechoslovakian designation for this bayonet was VZ22. Mossberg 500 vs 590: Which Shotgun Is Right for You? These were produced from 1948 until vz. The K98 has a longer barrel than the K98k, which makes it slightly more accurate. [6] These rifles saw action during World War II during the German invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941, as well as during the Partisans' insurgency against the German occupation. "Czech Mauser" can mean it is either a Vz 24 OR a Czech produced K98k (dot/dou/swp receiver marking). czech mauser markings CZ75 pistol that have a Picatinny accessory rail. Good luck. Please let me know if the Forum requires any addition information because I am stumped. The screw heads are intact. Recently bought a Czech 98k (as yet undelivered), my first 98k. 24s, which had been captured during the German invasion in 1941, were later seized by Soviet forces, who in turn used them to arm the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. In 1922, it was chosen to build a derivative of the Mexican Mauser 1912.It was known as the Vz. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. 98/22 rifles were either sold to Iran,[citation needed] Turkey, or on the public market. The story that started in 1898 is stronger than ever. Last edited: Aug 14, 2014. As this was the only Czechoslovakian bayonet officially designated VZ23, the "Long" suffix is superfluous. This tells you that your rifle has been tested and approved by a proof house. The Mauser K98 is a classic German rifle that was used in both World Wars. 98N rifle production ended in 1950. Most of these marks have been oiled. [2], Most of these rifles did not see official service in World War II. [10] In 1932, Brazilian revolutionaries ordered 15,000 rifles, which were built with bent bolt handles. Collectors of Mauser K98 rifles are always on the lookout for firearms with interesting markings. Czech Mauser Identification Oberndorf a./N, early code, Mauser-Werke The front of the barrel and bottom metal show scrapes, small scratches and some small areas of frosting. Identifying Mauser Markings | An Official Journal Of The NRA danskin shorts. The underside of the bolt handle is marked K2 and circled Z. Waffenwerke Bruenn AG, Brno, Czechoslovakia, Erfurter 24 rifles chambered in 7.92mm, all of which came from Czechoslovak Army stocks. The right side of the receiver is marked with a small Czech stamping. Many different types of markings can be found on K98 rifles, including manufacturers logos, proof marks, serial numbers, and inspection stamps. [32], This article is about the bolt-action rifle. The date is important because it can help you determine the value of your rifle. D. Dan M . The Czechoslovak military was particularly picky about the quality of their new service rifles, and only adopted a small number of them into their own military service. Between 1928 and 1938, the Bolivian Army purchased 101,000 vz. Now that you know the three most important markings, lets take a closer look at each one. The top set is the manufacturers code and/or date of production. Rifle was new made in the late 40's. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk The vz. [1][2], Starting in 1923, Brno decided to develop a rifle based on the German Karabiner 98AZ, a shortened version of the Gewehr 98 with a 590mm (23.23in) barrel. [12] Like several other countries' orders, the initial contract for the 30,000 vz. Following the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, production continued for the Slovak Republic (a Nazi client state). This can be helpful in identifying the maker of the rifle. 24 that featured a shorter barrel and a side folding bayonet. After Reza Shah was deposed in 1941 by the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran, significant numbers of the rifles fell into the hands of tribal rebels, and they were used in tribal conflicts throughout the 1950s. The receipt of export contracts for Mauser rifles from Persia (Iran), Lithuania, and Ecuador provided an opportunity for the Czechoslovakian Army to standardize on the VZ24 bayonet by passing on the VZ23 bayonets still in service to export customers. Ricasso (right): "E" (lion) "23" and "CSZ". Once the supply of serviceable VZ23 bayonets were exhausted, Zbrojovka Brno produced new-made VZ23 bayonets to fulfill remaining export orders. The left rear of the hand guard is marked 86. The first two years of production included royal crests for the King of Romania, though rifles built from 1940 onward do not feature crests, and many of the surviving early rifles have had their crests ground off. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. 25, Dual code; Czech mauser markings 24s "AR", "BR", "CR" through "YR" represent different periods of manufacturing, though several blocks have not been reported, including "IR", "JR", "KR", "MR", "NR", "QR", "VR", and "ZR". 24 was chambered in 7.9257mm Mauser like its predecessors. Werke GmbH, Erfurt, Altonaerstr. Just found a couple more markings on the receiver, on the barrel-side of the recoil lug. Many Polish Mausers were covertly. Sights / Optics: The front sight is an inverted V post set atop a ramped base. AG, Oberndorf a./N, production in 1935, Mauser-Werke I know that they stopped being made in 1942, but that's all I know. [8] In 1935, Latvia traded surplus No. There is a "C1" and the number 5. Once production of the VZ98/22 rifles was superceded by the VZ23, production of the VZ22 bayonet also ceased. The Mauser 98 is a bolt-action rifle that was originally produced in 1898. Hi to all, I was wonder if the forum can assist me in identifying a particular Mauser. I spent 200 on the rifle plus 20 for tax/transfer. A steel bayonet blade may be attached, if desired. The date is the second most important marking because it tells you when your rifle was made. For example, Mauser-Werke Oberndorf has a crown over an M stamped on the receiver. Approximately 100,000 VZ23 bayonets were made for use by the Czechoslovakian Army, before production of the VZ24 bayonet began. It still has a strong bore which should out last you if properly cared for. The barrel, receiver, bolt, etc. I recently acquired a Czech Mauser but I have a difficult time trying to find out if it's a VZ-24 or one of BRNO export models. We have not fired this rifle. Werk Borsigwalde, Berlin-Borsigwalde, Eichborndamm, Feinmechanische Despite its age, the K98 remains a popular firearm among collectors and shooters. Czech mauser markings Romanian vz. This resulted in the vz. The date is usually stamped on the receiver, barrel, or stock. The all of the identification marking has been grounded out expect for the "Z" in a circle on the right side of the receiver. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Its popularity is due in part to its association with Nazi Germany, as well as its ruggedness and reliability. 24 rifles. ", Remaining wartime production was modified to German specifications and designated S 24(t) [Seitengewehr 24Tschechoslowakei] by Germany.. This example was made in 1956 by esk Zbrojovka a. s. of Uhersk Brod, Czechoslovakia. [1][2] The original Gewehr 98 rifle featured a barrel that was 740mm (29in) long, which proved to be too long and cumbersome in the trench fighting of World War I.