Need help with Mauser identification

[skifastchad]

I have a chance to buy this old mauser from a relative.

It is a 30-06 with a nice looking barrel and a williams sight, but that and the serial # 14887 is the only markings visible above the stock.  There is a stamp on the bottom of the upper that looks like a N or a Z with a circle around it.  There are no symbols on the top of the receiver, as I checked under the scope mounts.
It is a large ring (1-3/8"), and a long action (7-7/8").  It doesn't show any sign of being used much, and the action is smoother than today's commercial mauser style guns like ruger or remington.
The bolt assembly appears to have all the same parts as a k98, with the addition of a sporter side safety.  It has a notch for a stripper clip, but the rear half of the receiver is flat, not taller around the clip insert area like most military mausers.  The only other  odd feature I see is a through hole across the front of the trigger gaurd.  The stock is a cheap lightweight wood, Im thinking birch.

The scope looks rough, but the rifle is in great shape, other than being packed with grease and dust.  It should clean up well, Im just trying to determine what it is before I clean it and offer to buy it.

[wallynut]

Getting positive identification will be hard since it's been sporterized.  It was very common for them to have the stamps ground off on the front reciever ring.  Someone might know by the N or z marking, but that isn't much to go by.  I would find some headspace gauges to check it out or take it to a gunsmith to check, shouldn't cost much.

[usherj]

Sounds like you have a rebarreled CZ, probably a VZ24, which is one of the better milsurp mausers. Made by BRNO on equip aquired from Germany.The headstamp would be under the front scope base, if it wasn't ground off. Headstamp would be for country it was made for. The best markings are normaly on the left receiver wall. Would read CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA, A.S., BRNO VZ 24  assuming that were the model. The hole in front of the trigger guard is the floor plate release. Soldiers would push there using the point of a full metal jacket round to release the catch. 

[skifastchad]

The hole in front of the trigger guard is the floor plate release. Soldiers would push there using the point of a full metal jacket round to release the catch. 

I know what the floor plate release hole is... Im talking about the hole across the front of the trigger gaurd as seen in picture #2.  Could it be a sling mount hole?

There are no markings under the front scope mount nor anywhere else on the receiver other than the N or Z with a circle. 

I also found it strange that the rear top of the receiver is flat, and not ramped up around the the stripper clip insert area.

The headspace is fine.  It was checked by my gunsmith.  The 30-06 barrel looks like new inside.

[skifastchad]

I looked up some cz24 pictures, and they all have the hole in the trigger gaurd.  They also have the circle Z stamp.  I guess this is a good place to start.

Thanks usherj

[Brithunter]

Any chance of photos of the complete rifle?

   The stock reminds me of some of those used by Husqvarna on their commercial sporting rifles. The 98 ones used FN actions.

[gunnut69]

Looks like a military K98 with a light sporterizing.. Stock appears to be a Sarco type drop in.. the safety lever to the left probably dates the rifle somewhat as they've not been made for some time..at least since the '80s. Remove the metal and check under the action.. The lasck of marks would be right for a CZ built 98 clone.. the rebarrel was done else where and the rifle appears to have been blued.. The front ring may have had the Crest ground off and the alteration to the rear ring is fairly common to mount a scope. The bolt handle appears to have been forged and ground. All in all a low budget sporter in a great all purpose caliber. If the headspace is good and the bore clean, check out the bedding. If it's tight the rifle should shoot well and last a lifetime if cared for.  Nice rifle..

[Aardvark]

Some Belgian Mausers were made as 30-06 caliber and from the serial# on the receiver it is most likely not a vz24 as most of those have some sort of letter prefix...
Can't beat a Mauser action for versatility and strength in case you want to use it for a project down the road..Value is in the $200-$250 range I would think.
 The hole in the trigger guard is called a parade hole..It is quite common on any 98 mauser, military type.

[skifastchad]

Thanks for all the replies.  I found out that the Circle Z stamp on the bottom of the receiver and the trigger are the signs of a Czech vz24.

The best part is that I just got back from the gravel pit / shooting range and this thing shoots clover leaf groups at 100 yards.  With a nice laminate thumbhole stock and a good scope, this will be a shooter!