Questions about Czech Kar98

[33yn2]

I apologize if this is not the proper area of the forum to ask my questions!

I was at Sarco about two weeks ago and saw they had two Kar98s... One that was $600, and one that was $1000.

I heard the quality of the guns later in the war in germany was not great, so since the other kar98 was a german 1943 rifle (IIRC), I decided to go for the Czech rifle that was cheaper and a bit more beat up, but still looked ok to me (though I know little about these guns still). (It's rifling looks okay looking down in, and there doesn't seem like there's rust on the inside)

The local gunsmith I brought it to for a cleaning (for example removing some of the light rust on the outer parts) and inspection noticed that it wouldn't feed rounds, as the bolt isn't quite going back far enough... So I'll be bringing it back to get it fixed at sarco... He did mention he thought from first inspection it was a pre-war gun, but didn't know anything particular.

I'm curious however if anyone could help me figure out what date the gun is from? The markings seem to have either been removed or worn off, so there's only the leaves on either side of where they're supposed to be. Further, the sight looks a bit odd to me, and I cannot find anything online that looks quite like it... The gunsmith said he thought it might be on incorrectly?

I know this thing is no collectors grade or anything, but I kind of like the asthetic of the wear and tear it has from it's age... I'm just kind of worried about that bolt/feeding issue, and I'm also wondering if I may have overpaid for the condition it's in.

Also, did this used to have bluing on it? The bolt and extractor seem like they still have some finish, but nothing else does.

I've attached some photos

Thanks!

 

[Stan]

What you have is a Czech made Vz24 made for a Romanian contract. There is a partially ground Romanian King Carol II crest on the top of the receiver. These got scrubbed post WW2 by the communist government in Romania. As I recall, this contract was filled between late 1939 to early 1941, with most delivered in 1940. The front sight protector is on backwards by the way. The screw should be to the rear of the front sight. I think the metal was originally blued except for the bolt.

 

[33yn2]

What you have is a Czech made Vz24 made for a Romanian contract. There is a partially ground Romanian King Carol II crest on the top of the receiver. These got scrubbed post WW2 by the communist government in Romania. As I recall, this contract was filled between late 1939 to early 1941, with most delivered in 1940. The front sight protector is on backwards by the way. The screw should be to the rear of the front sight. I think the metal was originally blued except for the bolt.

Thanks so much!

Do you think $600 is a good price for this? That's what I paid.

 

[Stan]

A lot of these came in back in the 1990's. I don't recall selling price then, but I bought one maybe about 10 years ago for around $200. I think $600 today is on the high side probably, but check Gun Broker for current asking/selling prices for Romanian Vz24's to get a ballpark.

 

[waw44]

Yes, you paid too much, by $100-$150. So what. You own it now and doubt you can return it. Enjoy it. Read up on its history, find some ammo, have fun.

 

[thisistheway]

600 is about right for a Vz24 in VG-Exc condition. In that condition, you probably overshot by about what waw44 above indicated. Nevertheless, these are fine rifles and as a first Mauser to actually take out and enjoy at the range, you did good. Enjoy it, take decent care of it, and give it just a few years and it'll probably be worth more than what you paid. The only reason I ever parted with a Vz.24 was because I got a nicer one. Also, because of the top handguard the rear sight can be exceptionally difficult to acquire on these. I got a MOJO rear sight for mine and it's like night and day. Swapping it in is easy and reversible.

EDIT: also, as Stan said, your sight protector is on backwards. Easy enough to reverse it and that will also improve your sight picture.

 

[33yn2]

600 is about right for a Vz24 in VG-Exc condition. In that condition, you probably overshot by about what waw44 above indicated. Nevertheless, these are fine rifles and as a first Mauser to actually take out and enjoy at the range, you did good. Enjoy it, take decent care of it, and give it just a few years and it'll probably be worth more than what you paid. The only reason I ever parted with a Vz.24 was because I got a nicer one. Also, because of the top handguard the rear sight can be exceptionally difficult to acquire on these. I got a MOJO rear sight for mine and it's like night and day. Swapping it in is easy and reversible.

EDIT: also, as Stan said, your sight protector is on backwards. Easy enough to reverse it and that will also improve your sight picture.

Yup, fixed the sight and brought it back to sarco to fix the feeding issue. Their gunsmith fixed it in 40 minutes (was missing a part inside) and it moves buttery smooth now too!

Going to bring it to a local smith to clean up the tiny bits of rust properly and oil the wood to protect it and then from then on I'll just take good care of it to keep it in shape!

Thanks for the help!