Czech VZ 24 Lion Crest markings

[kabah]

removed

[yellowsled]

That is one hell of a Nice 24! You did good....

[SVT-40]

The "77" under the eagle is the proof mark for Steyr. The trigger guard is not original to the rifle.

[Marcus von W.]

It looks like the triggerguard is from a WW2 era German 98k. The Germans did come into possession of a large number of VZ24 rifles when the German majority border areas of Czechoslovakia were ceded to the Reich in 1938, and many more when the remaining western (Czech) part of Czechoslovakia was occupied by Germany in 1939. Many of these Czech rifles were repaired and refurbished by the Germans, and one occassionally does find German made or marked pieces on them.

However, the Romanians were also big users of VZ24 rifles as well as being allies with Germany. As the Soviets began their entry and occupation of Romania, the Romanians switched sides and captured many 98k rifles from German forces in Romania. They continued to use both these 98k's and VZ24's for many years after the war. As a result, one can find German parts on Romanian issue VZ24's and Czech parts on Romanian capture 98k's.

From what little I can see of this rifle and it's condition, it appears that it may be one of the ones that came in from Romania back in the 1990's... although WW2 U.S. G.I. bring-back VZ24 rifles picked up in Germany or former German occupied areas are sometimes encountered and do have quite a value premium over a regular beater import Romanian issue VZ24. It seems that most of the VZ24 rifles the Romanians ended up with that had Czech or Royal Romanian crests were scrubbed, but not all. The Czech lion is a desirable and sought after feature that does add value and collectability.

You should carefully remove the rifle action from the stock and check for German markings on the left side of the barrel, below the wood line, up by the receiver.

More photos of the entire rifle would be helpful.

Is this rifle import marked?

[kabah]

Thank you for the info Marcus,

I will break it down tonight and post some more pics.

BTW the import mark is from CAI and is on muzzle end of the barrel. Not a bring back.

Thanks

[Mustang]

I've got several VZ24'ss , but none with the lion...damn nice looking.

How is the bore?

[kabah]

Bore is super dirty as of now. Ran out of Hoppes #9 last night. There were still chunks of cosmo in the bolt/mag/bore when i got it. Plan to do a thorough cleaning tonight.

[Dr.Mauser]

I just sold one with the rampant lion mark, it was a damn fine rifle, but yours takes the cake! thanks forvsharing man, Id hold on to that puppy

[DennisCA]

Well done sir!

[kabah]

Broke her down tonight. I was able to get cosmo clean on. Barrell looks like it is original CZ. The trigger housing and magazine has some markings, but none of them I recognize. Maybe someone here might...?
Any way here are some more pictures after breakdown.

[kabah]

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