Yugoslavian M24/47. I shouldn't have but it was lonely.

[Phosphorus32]

I traveled over to Seattle last Saturday to see my daughter's dance performance and take in the Modest Mouse concert with my son.  Stopped in at a small town pawn shop on the way and this beauty followed me home.  I simply couldn't resist her charms 

The Model 1924 short rifles produced under contract by Fabrique Nationale for the Yugoslavians and also produced at Kragujevac by the Yugoslavians themselves were the basis for the M24/47. These rifles have the large ring, but intermediate length Mauser action, and therefore, a shorter bolt than the Gew98, K98k, VZ24 family of large ring, full length action Mausers. The M24/47 was an updated version of the M24 that was built on receivers and parts from the M24s, starting in 1947 just after the devastation of WWII when the Yugoslavian manufacturing infrastructure was regaining momentum and not quite ready to produce a new rifle from scratch (the later bent bolt M48 that was produced through the 50s and early 60s).

This example was accepted by the military, as indicated by the Cyrillic SN prefix Б (capital B), and the П in a triangle military control acceptance mark on the side of the barrel. The condition looks like it was never removed from the storage depot. The barrel firing proof is the newer Communist Yugoslavia era star over T. The crown over T firing proof on the bolt knob is likely left over from the rifle's previous life as an M24, which were built when it was the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (inter-war period), hence the crown. The older style receiver rail arsenal marking of ЗАВОД 44 indicates it was produced before September 4, 1947. The sharp crest incorporates the date of November 29, 1943 (29 XI 1943) when Tito declared the Democratic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (later, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia).

This appears to be original, as issued, and has a pristine bore. The struck through SN on the trigger guard that was then hot blued suggests this was just a result of the component recycling during the initial assembly of this M24/47. The M24 receivers were generally scrubbed and overstruck with new markings but some other parts were not. The ЦА on the stock is a stock makers (subcontractor) mark. Some parts have different letters that are various inspectors markings.

The excellent condition Cherry's Yugoslavian SKSs are well known here, and, similarly, Cherry's was very selective for condition on the other firearms that they imported or acquired. I think that covers it, quiz on Monday 

Thanks for reading and/or looking!


















MARKINGS

[Dannyboy53]

Remarkable condition, can't say that I blame you for bringing this one home Phosphorus  . She's a beauty!

[1mlt]

NS, she is purdy. Notice who the importer was: CHERRYS. As in a cherry CHERRYS m59/66. Where do they find these brand 'cherry' looking rifles?

Marcus

[Phosphorus32]

Thanks Danny and Marcus!

NS, she is purdy. Notice who the importer was: CHERRYS. As in a cherry CHERRYS m59/66. Where do they find these brand 'cherry' looking rifles?

Marcus

Cherry's business model is to specialize in a limited inventory, hand-selected for condition, and charging accordingly. Glad I didn't have to pay their original retail prices.

http://www.cherrys.com/inventory.htm

[Phosphorus32]

Some guy named Jimmy whispered in my ear that they aren't always cherry at Cherry's    Actually, if you look at the listings of long guns they currently offer there are a few that don't hit the high end standard.

[Greasemonkey]

Nice.its so purdy  ..Jimmy like some him Yugos. Can I have it....I'm broke now .

Yeah.. I got a Cherrys import M48BO.. Wonderful piece, beautiful wood, metal finish, but you shove a patch through her, it looks like a rats nest on the other end. I should have maybe returned it, but I kept it as a reminder, besides it is pretty. It learnt me....theres always one somewhere..and like any surplus, never judge a book by it cover or import stamp. Wonderful outside dont always mean perfection inside

[Phosphorus32]

Nice.its so purdy  ..Jimmy like some him Yugos. Can I have it....I'm broke now .

Sure, you betcha  I didn't even give Jimmy a chance to chase the UPS truck on this one 

[Loose}{Cannon]

I saw many yugos of various models at Sarco a few years ago and not a single one could hold a candle to this magnificent specimen.   Very nice.

[Greasemonkey]

I didn't even give Jimmy a chance to chase the UPS truck on this one 

Yeah... that part was kinda low....even for you

[Phosphorus32]

Thanks LC!

[montigre]

Oh, what a beautiful classic----I can get lost in that grain forever!!  Great pick up!

[Phosphorus32]

Thanks! I love Mausers and if they have nice wood stocks I'm a goner