Help ID this Mauser, please.

[Gadsden]

I have what I believe is a Mauser. At least it has a Mauser type bolt. This is a rifle that stood in a corner in my uncle's house for as long as I can remember. At least forty years. Now, I have it. Description follows. I know that it would be easier to post a pic, but can't do that. Here goes.
The bolt is bent down. On the handle is the number 42631. On the ball is a capital Z in a circle. On the underside of the handle are two 8s, a starburst symbol and a symbol that looks like a child's drawing of a house, a rectangle with a triangle on top. No other markings on the bolt. The bolt metal is in the white.
On the barrel and reciever is the serial number 43016Z. On the receiver, just below this number is a series of seven little, arcane symbols in a row. Around the outer circumference of the chamber is I2JHGLIFU and more arcane symbols. On the left side of the barrel, just below the rear sight is stamped, 8MM. At least I know the caliber.
On the left, front sight protector is the number 28.
The stock is one-piece, thirty-one inches long overall. Two sling attachments on the butt. One underneath and one on the left side, just above the grip. There are finger grooves on both sides of the fore-end.
Sling is leather, adjustable by a double row of holes. Double brass hooks on both ends.
I'm curious as to what this rifle is. The bore looks pretty rough, but the stock is in excellent shape. I think i'm going to try and clean it up.
Any guesses or certain ID's appreciated.

 

[Slamfire]

A "Z" in a circle would make the bolt a CZ Bruno bolt. Without pictures and a caliber, and seeing the "arcaine" symbols, there is not enough informaion to identify. The market place has seen 7mm prewar CZ rifles from Brazil, and there have been 8 mm rifles from the Middle East.

Do a Google search for Mauser rifles and look at examples.

I recommend you start at Samco http://www.samcoglobal.com/rifles.html and look at the Persian Mauser

 

[SigfanUSAF]

Sounds like a Czech VZ24 contract rifle, I would guess "I2JHGLIFU" may be obscured by pitting/age, could it be ZBROJOVKA? Apic of the receiver side rail and ring would help.

 

[Niner]

vz24 contract rifle?

Most vz24's that you find from the usual sources have straight bolts. However, I have a species of the bent bolt variety. Mine has matching serial numbers but the ring has been shaved for some reason and the information that had been there removed. The bottom sling rings have been removed some time in its history.

Don't know if this is what you have, but take a look and see if what you have is like it.

 

[SigfanUSAF]

Niner, according to Balls book, the VZ24 with turned down handles were only delivered to Bolivia, Brazil, and the Slovak Republik. Of course, non of these, not even Czech VZ24 sniper rifles had the relief like the K98 in the stock. I would guess that was an arsenal modification in the purchasing country or "sporter" attempt at some point? The reliefs on the VZ rifles were large squares, while yours looks distinctly like the German relief. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Jubjub]

My Brno Mauser has a bent bolt, but it was sporterized back in the 50's or early 60's, so I'm not sure if it was originally that way.

It was a originally a Guatemalan 7x57 short rifle, which were apparently delivered in 1937 or so. The Guatemalan crest is prominent on the receiver ring, and the full CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA, AS, BRNO marking is on the left receiver rail. Some Brno rifles I have seen have VZ24 marked just under this, but mine lacks that marking. There is a Z in a circle stamped on the safety.

 

[Niner]

SigfanUSAF

I'd say you are right about the K98 relief. It's just like the ones on my K98k's. I got it at a gun show ten years ago. Still a mystery to me what its history might have been. It came through a dealer who represented the actual owner. Does the serial number 4707 G4 mean anything to you? It's on the receiver and bolt.