Yugoslavian Mauser Serial Numbers

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The first Mauser-pattern rifle produced in Yugoslavia was the M24. Its predecessor, the FN Model 1924 had been produced for the Yugoslav army by FN Herstal until the Ministry and FN signed a contract on the purchase of the licence for production of rifles 7.9 mm M 24. Nearly all M24's were produced either before or during World War II, at the Kragujevac Arsenal plant. Top: My M48B Yugoslavian Mauser. Bottom: M24/30 Venezuelan Contract Mauser. Generally, the Venezuelan is worth about three times the Yugoslavian. I prefer the Venezuelan for its superior fit, finish, and 7mm Mauser chambering. Just picked up a Yugo M48A Mauser today, and I can't seem to find any info that ties serial numbers to date of manufacture. Google just turns up other forums with people looking for the same info, but no answers. Does anyone have a good source for this sort of information? The serial number (all matching) is 65274.

FN Model 24
Yugoslav Rifle Model 1924, from the collections of the Swedish Army Museum.
Type
Place of originBelgium
Service history
In service1924-1986
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
ManufacturerFN Herstal, Kragujevac Arsenal
Produced1924-1964
Specifications
Length110 centimetres (43 in)
Barrel length50.4 centimetres (19.8 in)
Cartridge7×57mm Mauser
7.62×51mm NATO
.30-06 Springfield
7.65×53mm Mauser
7.92×57mm Mauser
ActionBolt-action
Muzzle velocity760 m/s (2,493 ft/s)
Effective firing range500 m (550 yd) (with iron sights)
>800 m (870 yd) (with optics)
Feed system5-round stripper clip, internal magazine
SightsIron sights or telescopic sight

The FN Model 24 series is a line of MauserGewehr 98 pattern bolt-action battle rifles produced by the BelgianFabrique Nationale. They are similar to the Czech vz. 24 rifle, featuring open sights, 8×57mm IS chambering, carbine-length barrels, hardwood stocks, and straight bolt handles.

  • 1History
  • 2Variants

History[edit]

After World War I and the German defeat, Belgium manufactured derivative of the Mauser 98, slightly modified.[1] The rifle series was modified depending on each customer's needs.[2] The designation Mle 24/30 is incorrect strictly speaking, since the Model 24 rifle is different from the Model 30. The confusion comes from the fact both versions were marketed at the same time in the 1930s.[3] The last rifles were produced in 1964.[4]

Belgium[edit]

The Belgian Armed Forces did not order the FN Mle 24/30 before the war. After the war, some training carbines Mle 24 in .22 Long Rifle were produced for the Belgian Army, the Belgian Navy and the colonial Force Publique.[5] The Belgian and Congolese forces also received some .30-06 new-production Mle 24/30 (aka Mle 50) carbines.[6][7] These carbines could be still found in the hand of Belgian reservists until 1986.[8]

Bolivia[edit]

Bolivia received some quantities of FN Model 24/30 rifles.[9] They were used during the Chaco War[10][11] and were still in service after the 1952 Revolution.[12]

China[edit]

The Republic of China received 24,000 FN Model 24 and 30 from 1930 to 1934 and more than 165,000 Model 30 between 1937 and 1939.[13] The Model 30 was copied as the Type 21 rifle at the Kwantung Arsenal and Type 77 rifle (from 1937, year of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident) at the Zhejiang Iron Works.[14] All these models were used during the Chinese Civil War[15] and Second Sino-Japanese War, being still in service at the end of World War II[16] and during the Korean War.[15][17] Ex-Lithuanian FN 1930 rifles captured by the Soviets were even supplied post-war to the People's Liberation Army.[17]

Colombia[edit]

In the early 1930s, Colombia bought FN Model 24 and 30 rifles in 7×57mm Mauser.[18] Many were later converted to .30-06 Springfield after 1950, serving alongside newly produced FN Model 50 short rifles.[19]

Congo[edit]

A Congolese military policeman with a Mle 24/30 carbine in Leopoldville, 1960.

After the war, the Force Publique of the Belgian Congo received some thousands of newly-manufactured Mle 24/30 carbines.[8] Around 300 training rifles were also delivered.[5] After the independence as Republic of the Congo, the Congo Crisis broke. The FN Mle 24/30 were used during these conflicts, being seen in the hands of South Kasai secessionnist gendarmes or of Simba rebels.[20]

Ethiopia[edit]

The Ethiopian Empire bought 25,000 7.92×57mm Model 24/30 short rifles and carbines in 1933-1935.[21][22] They were fielded during the Italian invasion.[23]

France[edit]

Between July and December 1939, FN produced 6,500 Model 24/30 short rifles in 8mm.[24] They were probably used in the French colonies.[25]

Germany[edit]

After the German invasion of Belgium, FN-made rifles were used by second-line German units.[26] The Belgian Mle 24 rifles were designated Gewehr 220 (b)[27] and the Mle 24 carbines Karabiner 420 (b).[28] The Greek Model 30 was designated Gewehr 285 (b).[29] The Yugoslav M24A was referred to as Gewehr 291/1 (j) and the M24B as Gewehr 291/2 (j).[30]

Greece[edit]

Argentine Mauser Serial Numbers

Needing more rifles during the interwar period, Greece bought more than 75,000 FN Model 24/30 short rifles between 1930 and 1939.[21] They were known as Model 1930.[31] These rifles were used during the Greco-Italian War, the German invasion, the Greek Resistance.[32][33]

Haiti[edit]

During the 1930s[34] or after the war,[[[Wikipedia:Citing_sources page needed]]],_Chapter_'Haiti'-35'>[35]Haiti ordered Model 24/30 short rifles in .30-06 Springfield. They were used by the Volontaires de la Sécurité Nationale militia.[34] They were kept in reserve storage in the 1990s.[36]

Indonesia[edit]

Between 1946 and 1950, the Dutch company Indische Ondernemers Bond (Indies Business Union), bought 2,700 Mle 24 carbines for private security tasks, modified in the Netherlands to fire .308 Winchester/7.62 NATO.[37] The Royal Netherlands Indies Police reportedly also used some. Some were also kept in 7.92 Mauser. They have been later used by the independantist Free Papua Movement.[38]

Israel[edit]

Israel bought in the early 1950s some FN Model 30 short rifles originally in 7.92 Mauser. They were clones of the Kar 98k and were later modified to fire 7.62 NATO.[38][39] This state also received some Mle 24 training rifles.[8] A few German captured Greek Mauser were also supplied via Czechoslovakia.[33]

Liberia[edit]

From the early 1930s to the end of World War II, the Belgian-made Model 24 short rifle was the standard rifle of Liberian Frontier Force.[40]

Lithuania[edit]

During the late-1930s, Lithuania bought more than 75,000 Fusil Mle 30, exactly similar to the Brno-made vz. 24 used by the Lithuanian Army.[21] Both were designated Model 24 L.[41]

Luxembourg[edit]

Luxembourg ordered some Model 24/30 short rifles around 1930. They were later captured and used by the German Army after the invasion of Luxembourg.[42]

Mexico[edit]

In 1926 and 1927, Mexico ordered some 35,000 FN Mle 24 short rifles and carbines, chambered in 7mm Mauser.[43]

Morocco[edit]

In the 1950s, Morocco bought Model 1950 carbines in .308 Winchester and .30-06.[44]

Paraguay[edit]

Paraguay ordered FN Mle 24/30 short rifles during the late-1930s, designated them Model 1935.[45] Others sources state 7,000 were bought before 1932 and were used during the Chaco War.[10][12] In the 1960s, many of these 7.65 Mauser guns were modified to 7.62×51mm NATO in Brazil.[46]

Persia[edit]

The Imperial Persian Army bought some FN Mle 24 short rifles at the end of the 1920s.[47]

Peru[edit]

Peruvian soldiers with Model 1935 rifles during a commemoration in 2015.

During the late 1930s, Peru ordered FN 24/30. It had an inverted safety, which was activate by being turned to the left of the rifle. This 7.65mm Mauser version is known as Peruvian Model 1935 short rifle.[48] They were used during the Ecuadorian–Peruvian War of 1941.[49] From 1959-1960, they were reportedly modified to accept .30-06 ammunitions.[50]

Venezuela[edit]

Venezuela ordered 16,500 FN Mle 30 short rifles and carbines in the mid-1930s, firing the 7mm Mauser cartridge.[51] A very small number had a 6 inches (0.15 m) longer barrel, being designed to train the Venezuelan Olympic team.[52] Many more standard FN Mle 30 guns were delivered after the war.[21]

Arabian Peninsula[edit]

In the 1930s, both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia[53] and the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen bought a substantial number of FN Mle 30 short rifles.[52] Saudi Arabia bought 'substantial numbers' of FN rifles in 1945-1950.[54] Some of the Saudi rifles may have been sent to Yemen after the war.[55]

Yugoslavia[edit]

The first Mauser-pattern rifle produced in Yugoslavia was the M24. Its predecessor, the FN Model 1924 had been produced for the Yugoslav army by FN Herstal until the Ministry and FN signed a contract on the purchase of the licence for production of rifles 7.9 mm M 24. Nearly all M24's were produced either before or during World War II, at the Kragujevac Arsenal plant. The M24 and Model 1924 are nearly identical. All M24 series weapons are designed to accept the M-24/48 pattern bayonet.

The final additions to the M24 family were the M24/47 and M24/52 rifles. Both were produced by reworking existing prewar Serbian Model 24 Mausers and then refurbished with newer Belgian parts during World War II at the Zastava Arms (formally Kragujevac Arsenal) plant, which was at that time under the control of the postwar communist government. '47' and '52' indicate the beginning of the rebuild program for each respective model: 1947 for the M24/47 and 1952 for the M24/52. One common misconception is that the M24/47 rifles were produced only in 1947; actually, the rebuild program lasted into the early 1950s alongside new production of M48 rifles. Minor cosmetic differences exist between the M24/47 and M24/52, but the rifles are nearly identical to one another and to their predecessors, the Model 1924 and M24. M24 series rifles were used by the Royal Yugoslav Army and by nearly all sides during World War II in Yugoslavia.

Other users[edit]

Argentina bought many FN Model 24 rifles and Model 30 short rifles during the interwar period.[56] The FN Model 24 in 7×57mm was also exported to Costa Rica around 1935.[57]Ecuador received 7.65×53mm Mauser Model 30 short rifles.[58]Romania used some FN Mle 24 short rifles.[59]Uruguay bought approximately 5,000 Model 24 short rifles in 7mm Mauser during the 1930s.[60]Turkey is listed as one of the users.[9]

Yugo M48 Serial Numbers

During the Nicaraguan Revolution, FN Mle 24 short rifles were carried by Sandinista rebels.[61]

Variants[edit]

Top to bottom: Sokol carbine M1924, Rifle M1924, Assault carbine M1924ČK

Belgium[edit]

  • Mod. 1922 long rifle - a full-length copy of the Gew. 98. Only sample rifles with Siamese or Ethiopian markings are known.[54]
  • Mod. 1922 carbine, an older and shorter version of the FN Model 30, chambered in 7mm and featuring a straight stock.[62] More than 20,000 carbines were produced between 1922 and 1924[21] to equip Brazilian cavalry and artillery.[63]
  • Fusil Mle 1924
  • Fusil Mle 1930
  • Fusil Mle 1924 d’entrainement - .22 Long Rifle training rifle,[5] manufactured 1948-1952.[64]
  • Fusil Mle 1950 - Model 1924 export rifle modified to fire .30-06 Springfield cartridges.[7]
  • Peruvian Model 1935 Short Rifle - Standard export model with an inverted safety.[48]
  • FN Mle 30-11 - 7.62 NATO sniper rifle based on the FN Mle 30, manufactured 1976-1986.[65]

China[edit]

  • Type 21 rifle - copy of the FN Model 30 short rifle in 7.92×57mm Mauser produced in the Kwantung Arsenal in the early 1930s.[66]
  • Type 77 rifle - copy of the FN Model 30 produced in the Zhejiang Iron Works in the late 1930s. It was not compatible with other Mausers.[14]

Yugoslavia[edit]

  • M.1924B - Designation of Gewehr 98 and M1912 Mexican Mauser rifles whose barrels were changed to M24's to meet the Army's standards as far as length and the common cartridge. The conversion was done in Užice. Original bayonets were also converted to fit the new barrels.[67]
  • Sokolski karabin M.1924 (Sokol carbine M.1924) - at 94.5 centimetres (37.2 in) was just slightly shorter and had a straight bolt handle. It was designed for youth firearms training and target practice.
  • Jurišna puška M.1924 (Assault rifle M.1924) - These can be identified by МОДЕЛ 1924 ЧК (MODEL 1924 ČK) written on the chamber, a bent bolt handle and an additional set of sling swivels on left side. It was designed after the Sokol carbine, Czecho-Slovak short gendarmerie rifle and Iranian Musketon, for use with assault units. The production started in May 1940, only about 5,000-6,000 were made. They were issued with a special combat knife that could be fitted on the rifle as a bayonet.[67]
  • M.24/47 Rifle - M24 Rifles and Carbines of Belgian and Yugoslavian manufacture brought up to a common standard beginning in 1947 and continuing into the early 1950s. Most received new M48 barrels with 98k type front sight hoods not found on Model 1924's. Carbine features deleted rear swivel removed and plugged with dowel front carbine sling points ground off and polished.
  • M.24/52č - Reworked Czech vz. 24 rifles (previously known under the designation M.24Č / M.24A / M.24a) in overhaul program similar to M24/47 beginning in 1952.[67]

Users[edit]

  • Argentina[56]
  • Belgium[5]
  • Bolivia[9]
  • Brazil (M1922)[63]
  • China[13]
  • People's Republic of China[15]
  • Colombia[18]
  • Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville)[20]
  • Costa Rica[57]
  • Dutch East Indies[38]
  • Ecuador[58]
  • Ethiopian Empire[23]
  • France[24]
  • Nazi Germany[26]
  • Kingdom of Greece[32]
  • Haiti[34]
  • Iran[47]
  • Israel[39]
  • Liberia[40]
  • Lithuania[21]
  • Luxembourg[42]
  • Mexico[43]
  • Morocco[44]
  • NicaraguanSandinista National Liberation Front[61]
  • Free Papua[38]
  • Paraguay[45]
  • Peru[48]
  • Kingdom of Romania[59]
  • Saudi Arabia[53]
  • Uruguay[60]
  • Venezuela[51]
  • Kingdom of Yemen[52]
  • Yugoslavia[68]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^Smith, W. H. B; Smith, Joseph E. (1963) [1948]. The Book of Rifles. National Rifle Association. pp. 116–117.
  2. ^Ball 2011, p. 43.
  3. ^Vanderlinden, Anthony (5 December 2015). 'Confusing Terminology: The 24/30 FN Mauser'.
  4. ^Smith 1969, p. 212.
  5. ^ abcdBall 2011, p. 41.
  6. ^Smith 1969, p. 218.
  7. ^ abBall 2011, pp. 36&43.
  8. ^ abcGuillou, Luc (October 2007). 'Une carabine calibre d'entraînement belge Mauser, calibre .22LR'. Gazette des Armes. No. 391. pp. 50–53.
  9. ^ abcSmith 1969, p. 219.
  10. ^ abAlejandro de Quesada (20 November 2011). The Chaco War 1932-35: South America's greatest modern conflict. Osprey Publishing. p. 23. ISBN978-1-84908-901-2.
  11. ^Huon, Jean (September 2013). 'The Chaco War'. Small Arms Review. Vol. 17 no. 3.
  12. ^ abReynolds, Dan. 'Rifles of Bolivia 1900-1990'. carbinesforcollectors.com. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  13. ^ abBall 2011, p. 81.
  14. ^ abNess, Leland; Shih, Bin (July 2016). Kangzhan: Guide to Chinese Ground Forces 1937–45. Helion & Company. p. 262. ISBN9781910294420.
  15. ^ abcBall 2011, p. 87.
  16. ^Jowett, Philip (20 Nov 2013). China’s Wars: Rousing the Dragon 1894–1949. General Military. Osprey Publishing. p. 333. ISBN9781782004073.
  17. ^ abBall 2011, p. 248.
  18. ^ abBall 2011, p. 106.
  19. ^Ball 2011, p. 107.
  20. ^ abAbbot, Peter (February 2014). Modern African Wars: The Congo 1960–2002. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. p. 45. ISBN978-1-78200-076-1.
  21. ^ abcdefBall 2011, p. 42.
  22. ^Vanderlinden 2016, pp. 297-299.
  23. ^ abBall 2011, pp. 131-132.
  24. ^ abBall 2011, p. 135.
  25. ^Ball 2011, p. 48.
  26. ^ abBall 2011, p. 219.
  27. ^Ball 2011, p. 422.
  28. ^Ball 2011, p. 423.
  29. ^Ball 2011, p. 424.
  30. ^Ball 2011, p. 426.
  31. ^Smith 1969, p. 451.
  32. ^ abBall 2011, p. 237.
  33. ^ abVanderlinden 2016, p. 308.
  34. ^ abcBall 2011, p. 240.
  35. [[[Wikipedia:Citing_sources page needed]]],_Chapter_'Haiti'_35-0'>^Vanderlinden 2016, p. [page needed], Chapter Haiti.
  36. ^'Uphold Democracy 1994: WWII weapons encountered'. wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com. 9 June 2015.
  37. ^Ball 2011, pp. 408-409.
  38. ^ abcdBall 2011, p. 49.
  39. ^ abBall 2011, p. 245.
  40. ^ abBall 2011, p. 247.
  41. ^Ball 2011, p. 249.
  42. ^ abBall 2011, p. 251.
  43. ^ abBall 2011, p. 261.
  44. ^ abBall 2011, pp. 263-264.
  45. ^ abBall 2011, p. 235.
  46. ^Ball 2011, p. 52.
  47. ^ abBall 2011, p. 280.
  48. ^ abcBall 2011, p. 291.
  49. ^Jowett, Philip (28 Jun 2018). Latin American Wars 1900–1941: 'Banana Wars,' Border Wars & Revolutions. Men-at-Arms 519. Osprey Publishing. p. 46. ISBN9781472826282.
  50. ^'The Mauser Rifles of Peru'. carbinesforcollectors.com. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  51. ^ abBall 2011, p. 397.
  52. ^ abcBall 2011, p. 399.
  53. ^ abBall 2011, p. 306.
  54. ^ abBall 2011, p. 53.
  55. ^'WWII weapons in Yemen's civil war'. wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com. 9 September 2018.
  56. ^ abBall 2011, p. 9.
  57. ^ abBall 2011, p. 111.
  58. ^ abBall 2011, p. 129.
  59. ^ abBall 2011, p. 304.
  60. ^ abBall 2011, pp. 390-393.
  61. ^ abBall 2011, p. 267.
  62. ^Ball 2011, p. 46.
  63. ^ abBall 2011, p. 68.
  64. ^Ball 2011, p. 45.
  65. ^Popenker, Maxim. 'FN 30-11'. modernfirearms.net.
  66. ^Ball 2011, p. 88.
  67. ^ abcBogdanivić, Branko (1990). Puške: dva veka pušaka na teritoriji Jugloslavije. SPORTINVEST, Belgrade. pp. 110–123. ISBN86-7597-001-3.
  68. ^Ball 2011, p. 307.
  • Ball, Robert W. D. (2011). Mauser Military Rifles of the World. Iola: Gun Digest Books. ISBN9781440228926.
  • Smith, Joseph E. (1969). Small Arms of the World (11 ed.). Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: The Stackpole Company.
  • Vanderlinden, Anthony (2016). FN Mauser Rifles - Arming Belgium and the World. Wet Dog Publications. ISBN978-0-9981397-0-8.
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So you've begun collecting military surplus guns and next on your list is a German Mauser. The Mosin and the Enfield were pretty cheap, but correct examples of German Mausers are going for $1500+! Luckily for your wallet, many countries copied Mauser's 1898 design making a Mauser experience much more affordable. Currently, Yugoslavian Mausers are on the market for a great price, but there are a fair bit variations that you should be aware of before purchasing one. Let’s begin at the beginning.

Model 1924 (M24) With the First World War over, the newly formed country of Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later known as Yugoslavia) decided they wanted a standardized rifle for their front line troops. After a brief trials, they came up with an almost exact copy of Germany's K98k rifle--the biggest difference being that the action was 1/8 inch shorter than Germany’s standard infantry rifle. The first 100,000 rifles came from FN, and the remaining examples (which were produced through WWII) were built at the Yugoslavian national armory. There were three main configurations of this rifle: two carbines and one rifle. C&Rsenal did a great writeup on these guns, which can be found here.

These are actually pretty difficult to find because most were refurbished during the cold war (more on this in about a paragraph). However, they are often mistaken for the much more common refurbished M24/47, and so deals can be found. The current rate on a proper M24 is much higher than other Yugoslavian rifles, so expect to pay a premium.

Action Markings:Yugoslavian Crest with Model 1924

Sidewall Markings:

FAB. NOT. D’ARMES de GUERRE , HERSTAL-BELGIQUE (FN Production 1926-1928)

АРТ. ТЕX. ЗАВОД – Крагујевцу (Artillery Technical Institute 1928-1931)

BOJHOTEX.ЗАВОД – Крагујевцу (Military Technical Institute 1932-1941)

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Model 24/47 With the Second World War over and Cold War tensions rising Yugoslavia began preparing for more fighting. To fill their strategic reserve, the young nation began a refurbishment program in 1947 to bring their beaten M24 rifles to tip top condition. This included a standardization of sling swivels, rebluing, as well as scrubbed and re-stamped markings. As we know, the Cold War never developed into fighting and the M24/47 remained in pristine condition. Because of their “recent” refurbishment, they tend to be great shooters. These can be found pretty easily from surplus dealers for right around $300. Action Markings:Yugoslavian Crest, OR Yugoslavian Crest, M24/47

Sidewall Markings:

M24/47 PREDUZECE 44

M24/47 ZAVOD 44

M24/47 TRZ-5

Model 24/52C As 1952 rolled around, Yugoslavia slowed their refurbishment of M24 rifles and and began working on the left over Czechoslovakian vz. 24 rifles (which are different from Yugoslavian M24 rifles!) they received as war reparations. Despite the new rifle (designated M24/52c) resembling the M24/47 rifles, they can easily be identified by their markings. Since the Czech vz. 24 rifles have a history of their own, there are many slight variations that can be found. Depending on the condition of the barrel when rifles reached Yugoslavia, they may have been switched out for a domestically produced M48 barrel. Just like the M24/47 rifles, these guns tend to be in fantastic shape as they never saw action since their refurbishment. M24/52C rifles are slightly more difficult to find than the M24/47 rifles, but they still sell for roughly $300-$400.

Action Markings:Yugoslavian Crest, M24/52c

Model 98/48 Beginning in 1948, Yugoslavia began repairing and refurbishing captured German K98k rifles. During the process, the German rifles had varying levels of their markings removed with Yugoslavian markings added. As a result, there are a number of variations in the markings that can be found, some of which are listed below. Because they are German made, the actions are full length (as opposed to the intermediate length Yugoslavian Mausers). Action Markings:Yugoslavian Crest

Sidewall Markings:

FNRJ Mod. 98

PREDUZECE 44 Mod. 98

PREDUZECE 44 Mod. 98/48

RADIONICA 145 Mod. 98/48

Yugo Mauser Serial Numbers

Model 48 In addition to refurbishing guns, the national Yugoslavian armory began production of their new Mauser design, the M48. This new gun had more German features than the prewar Yugoslavian M24 (sight hood, bent bolt handle, cupped buttplate, sling swivel placement), but they stuck with an intermediate length action. By 1952, Yugoslavian engineers designed stamped parts to make production more efficient, resulting in the M48A. This design was updated once again to the M48B (although the receiver crest continued to say M48A). Once again, most of these guns never saw war and are in fantastic condition. For $350 or so, you can find a mint one with a bayonet, cleaning kit, oiler, etc.

In conclusion: Proper German K98k rifles are expensive and highly collectable, making it not necessarily the best choice for a range toy. Luckily, the Yugoslavians made some nice Mauser copies that will give you the Mauser experience at a fraction of the cost. As an added bonus, Yugoslavian M75 sniper ammo has recently hit the market. This highly accurate ammo pairs great with a mint M48 or a nice refurbished rifle. So, if you’re a milsurp guy who wants a nice shooter and doesn’t mind if the gun is of WWII vintage, look into one of the many Yugo Mauser flavors.

Yugoslavian Mauser M48

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