mauser manufacturer location and date

[Dr D.]

Gentlemen, I just purchased two 8mm Mauser and a Lee Enfield .303 british at a going out of business aution here in western NY.
The first is an 8mm Mauser Model M48A, #24031 all numbers match except the bolt, it had been fitted with an Iron Elite scope mount and a bent handle bolt. The stock is in nice shape, it looks original. I added the Bushnell 3-9 scope. It shoots great using PPU 8mm shells. I paid $155 for it. I think its a Yugo made in 1944 but I'm not sure.

The 2nd is also an 8mm Mauser Model 1924, #251827 all numbers match. I also have shot this weapon with no problems. I paid $380 for this one. I added the bayonet that i bought on Ebay, it is a Czech CSZ M #22410.

The third is a Lee Enfield SMLE No1. Mk3. #65238, all numbers match. It is stamped GRI 1949. The stock has brand marks on it with the letters DTE in circle. I shot some Wolf 303 British thru it, shoots nice. I paid $180 for this one.
If anyone can add any details about these, please post. Thanks.

 

[Jim K]

The Model 48A is a Yugoslav Mauser. It is basically a Model 1898 Mauser but has a shorter receiver and a different breeching system. A few years ago brand new ones were selling for about $100; they have gone up some but are still in the low price range, about what you paid. The "1944" is part of the Yugoslav crest. Some sellers claim it shows the rifle was made during WWII, but that is like saying the dollar bill in my pocket was printed in 1776 because that date is on it. The rifles were actually made starting in 1948, after the war and have no real historical value.

The VZ-24 is a good rifle and if in decent shape is worth about what you paid. Many have been sporterized because the action is exceptionally smooth.

The Lee-Enfield is a Rifle No. 1, Mk III, formerly known as the Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield, Mk III. It was made in India as indicated by the marking GRI (Georgius Rex Imperator or George, King Emperor, a title used only in India). It too is worth about what you paid.

So you got three good rifles and if they are in the original configuration (not cut down or sporterized) you got good prices.

Jim

 

[Dr D.]

Thanks Jim. That helps me to id these rifles. I'm new into older military weapons, I saw these at the auction and took my chances. I figured when the others started droping out of the bidding I was in the value range so I bumped by 10 bucks to get them. After clening them up and getting the appropriate ammo, I fired each one severl times and was pleased with the results. My first shots at 130 yards were in the black of a 3 inch 50 ft pistol target. The Enfield has a slight flaw, a prior owner cut off the front bayonet lug and ground off the bottom bayonet lug from the nose cap. I am going to replace it as soon as I find an original replacement. Other than that eveything i see on these lead me to believe they are original. My next acquisition will be an M-1 Garand, or M-1 Carbine.