Need help identifing VZ24

[sghart3578]

Hello gents,
I was hoping you guys could help me ID my VZ24. It is a shorter carbine style with a bent bolt, chambered in 7X57. It has a "channeled" front stock and two sets of sling swivels. It is a great shooter. Thanks in advance.

 

[Twmaster]

The important numbers are the serial number and possibly the acceptance stamp on the left side of the receiver perpendicular to the stamping on the top.

Your gun was likely a contract rifle made for a South American country. Bolivia bought something like 100,000 of those in that configuration.

It was likely made before 1936 as they stopped using that crest marking in 1935.

I used to have a great link to a comprehensive list of serial numbers and markings. Unfortunately I cannot find that link right now.

 

[sghart3578]

Mike,
Thanks for taking the time to reply, it was very helpful.

SH

 

[morcey2]

I concur with what TWMaster said. The vast majority of bent-bolt VZ-24s were South American contract rifles. Same with 7x57 VZ-24s. Almost all SA contracts. I'm still trying to pick one up to go along with my other 8x57 VZ-24s.

If you haven't done it yet, you might want to take it out of the stock to make sure that there isn't any significant pitting below the wood line. Some of the SA rifles were rode hard and put away wet. There isn't a whole lot you can do about the pitting, but you can at least get it stopped.

Some links. Not much about the SA contract rifles though.

http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=130487

http://rml1708.com/MyCzechWebpage/czmaim.htm

Matt