Another BRNO question

[1911 guy]

I'm trying to find out what I can about rifle I'm cleaning up for a friend who received it in trade. It is a CZ BRNO model VZ24. Serial number 5941 U4, no visible crest, but it does have a small "E3(two unidentified characters)33 above the serial number. 5941 is stamped on bottom metal, receiver and stock. Small markings on bolt, but didn't write them down.

Any information regarding caliber and date of manufacture would be greatly appreciated. I've tried to dig online and all I've found a A-F serials, no "U" and three possible calibers, 7.62, 7.92 and 8 millimeters. Bore is VERY rough, so any measurement would be meaningless, regardless of land and groove variations.

The story is that the previous owners grandfather brought it back from Korea. The bore looks like it hasn't been cleaned since the 1950s.

 

[idoono]

I would think that it is in 8mm Mauser if it has the original barrel. As far as coming from Korea it is a long way from Europe. Maybe WWII and not Korea?

Idoono

 

[Kp321]

I am far from a Mauser expert but I know where to go to find them. Try the Military Mauser Forum at Gunboards Forums. There are experts that hang out there that can probably tell you everything you need to know.
For my two cents worth, if the crest is scrubbed from the receiver, it may have passed through several countries after it left the factory. Korea is not out of the realm of possibilities but Europe is more likely. As far as caliber, it was originally 8mm Mauser or 7.92x57 as designated in Europe.

 

[Numeric]

The "unidentified characters" you refer to are actually a small "Rampant Lion", which was a national symbol of Czechoslovakia, in this case used as an acceptance mark. Interspersed with the E3(Lion)33, it means that your Vz.24 rifle was accepted for service by the Czech government in March of 1933.

As for it coming from Korea, it is entirely possible. Many thousands of Vz.24s were bought by the Nationalist government of China, and were subsequently surrendered to the Communists. These rifles were then used by the Chinese forces sent to aid North Korea. It was also common for the Czech government to trade-in used Vz.24s for discounts on new-production rifles. These used rifles were then sold by CZ to other clients like the Chinese government for reduced prices. Does it have any Chinese characters stamped/branded on the stock?

As manufactured, the rifle would've been chambered in 8x57IS Mauser. This is the same as 7.92x57mm, 7.9x57mm, and "8mm Mauser".