Mad,
According to the book, Yugoslavia started conversions of war reparations rifles back in the 1930s.
The M48s were not among those, the 48s were totally Yugo manufacture all the way.
Their older M24s were brought up to later specs beginning in 1947, which gave them their M24/47 designation.
FP,
I'm operating under no assumptions.
There are all sorts & types of people who buy military surplus rifles.
I have a strong fondness for them because of their history & design that goes back to my teenage years.
I prefer shooters too, and in original form.
I'm just saying the same thing you are- not everybody wants an absolutely correct battle-used historical piece to hang on the wall or stick in the safe as part of a collection.
I also understand how true collectors feel about Mitchell's. Don't blame 'em at all.
For those of us not in the collecting field who just want a very nice shooting example of a classic Mauser-pattern military rifle in "new" condition, the rifles they sell are that.
I paid more than many potential Yugomauser buyers are willing because what Mitchell's was selling was exactly what I wanted.
Re the cosmo comment, I see a post every now & then on the Yugos where a poster will talk about finding a pickled Yugo & taking the time & effort to de-gunk it.
I did that exactly once, many years ago with my Norinco SKS, and I don't plan to do it again.
I just don't enjoy such things.
For many people part of the attraction of a military surplus Mauser (or whichever rifle) is the attached "Imagine the battles it's been through, and all of the HISTORY!", and I can fully appreciate that.
No, you generally won't get that with a totally Yugo-built Mauser, and I can't comment on their German guns because I have no first-hand knowledge of what they get in & what they do with them.
In my case, I developed a liking for the British Enfield while in highschool.
Over the years after that, I went through several in buying & trading & selling, working my way up as money allowed till I was able (and lucky enough) to acquire a near-mint 1955 No 4 MKII.
It was never issued, it has zero battlefield experience, and no real history of its own, but I consider it the ultimate pinnacle of the Lee-Enfield progression, it's a fine rifle, I can shoot it all I want without either guilt or devaluation, and I got essentially a "new" Enfield finally after many years of beat to pieces war relics. I think it's either number 6 or number 7.
The main point I'm making is that if you just want an excellent example of a classic rifle in new shape that's also a great shooter, and you don't want to have to spend the time cleaning one up, what Mitchell's has offered in their Yugos is a very viable way to go.
If you want a collector piece, possibly not.
Buyer beware, and know what you're doing up front before you spend your money.
Denis