The fellows on this Board, some of Japanese ancestry, prefer the term "Japanese." In January 1939 the Japanese signed a contract for the purchase of 40K rifles. (From "Japanese Contract Rifles," originally published in "Banzai" by Good and Zielinski.) Most were 1937 "P" series, but at least two "C" series from Japan have been documented. The known "P' series delivered to Japan, from sling markings or history seem to fall in the 40-70 K serial number range. And as Mr. Gump would say, "That's all we know about that."

 

That's a damn fine example!

 

Black Bart,
put some more light on the subject, it will help immensly!

Nice rifle.

 

Sorry about the Japanese term...I tend to cut things short on the web. There has been a lot of controvercy over the use of VZ 24's by the Imperial Japanese Navy. One theory is that they intercepted a cargo ship headed for China full of VZ 24's (1937 P Series VZ 24's were made for China) Another is that it's an original Japanese contract. The most believable is the theory that after the Germans invaded the Czechs, they seized the entire contract 1-99,999 & sent them to Japan to fulfill an outstanding contract. The amount actually sent to Japan has been heavily debated. As Ronin stated earlier, most encountered with Kanji markings on the slings or stocks fall in the 40-70k range. That's all we really know about them. I've seen pics of Japanese Navy personnel carrying them. I don't have any type of provenance with this one. I snagged it from a guy who had no idea what it was. I've only handled one in my life & have never seen another for sale

 

Black Bart,

Nice rifle. But are you using the serial number alone as your basis for the assumption of Japanese usage? And have any P series in the mentioned serial range been reported as coming from the European theater? Thank you, Jon

 

Yes on the Serial # & have never seen A 1937 dated P series VZ 24 that came from anywhere else. There supposedly are documents stating that all of the 100,000 rifles were delivered to Japan. I've never seen evidence of them. I've only seen close up pictures of two of the rifles in my life. One set is in Military Rifles of Japan (Which I'm sure you have seen too), & the other pics were from a board member. I think Mauser Military Rifles of the World may have pics, but do not remember. Does anyone else out there have one of these rifles? Has one ever been encountered with import marks or other countries arsenal marks? I've heard that they have been observed with Chinese markings after being captured from the Japanese, but have never seen one myself.

 

Has one ever been encountered with import marks or other countries arsenal marks?

Thanks for the reply. Yes there are some floating around with import marks. And I swear I remember hearing about one with Romanian contract markings. Jon

 

No problem Jon. This one does not have any import marks or Romanian contract marks/proofs. No CM's, just Czech rampant lion proofs. The rifle came without a sling. I took this one off of a 38 proofed VZ 33 (The guys on the Czech board are going to kill me) I've looked at the stock, no sign of any white paint.

 

The rifle came without a sling. I took this one off of a 38 proofed VZ 33 (The guys on the Czech board are going to kill me).

Can't say as I'd blame em' Jon

 

I have number P49287, all matched and in the same apparent condition as yours. I am curious about the sling arrrangement on these rifles. Are the Japanese marked slings on these Czech made or Japanese made? Can anyone post a picture of one with Japanese markings on it?

John in Charlotte, NC

 

The ones I have seen are Czech made with Kanji characters marked on the inside of the sling leather.

http://www.rollanet.org/~stacyw/czech_vz24_sling_jap_marked.htm

 

Thanks for the link. Are original Czech slings difficult to find? I did a quick eBay check and saw a reproduction.

John in Charlotte, NC

 

Hello Black Bart & John :

I have two of these VZs with background info for your files, (a) 1937 P - 53577 proofed with " E - Lion - 38 " above the serial number, mismatch but correct bolt P - 56066, with a 3 ply rubberized canvas sling. It along with a 99 rifle were purchased from the widow of a Pacific War Vet. No other info. Rifle had storage gunk & rust, no anchor on the pistol grip or other markings. (b) 1937 P - 36715 no proof marks on receiver, barrel has importer markings, badly shot off, pitted, neglected barrel and receiver of ex-Chinese importation. Got the action as a gift from my gunsmith.
Discussion in depth onthese rifles was done a year ago in the Military Mauser site of Gunboards, you can also peruse Banzai 1987 pgs 326 to 328, 1988 pgs 269 to 270, 1990 pg 42, 1999 issue 202 pg 63 - 64.
Vicasoto

 

John, those Czech type export slings with the buckle are IMPOSSIBLE to find. I've been looking for one for 5 years!!!!!! If you do happen to find one, they must have that brass football shaped keeper in the pics I'm a stickler about having the right sling on my rifles.

 

Thanks Vicasoto!!!! I really appreciate the info! Question for both you & John. Do your rifles have any proofs stamped into the wrist of the stock directly beneath the triggerguard? Mine has 4-5 random numbers & letters in that area in no set order. Looks like an B, T, 7, N, & another I can't make out. I guess they are some type of final inspection proofs??? Thanks Again!

 

There is what looks like a 7 stamped immediately behind the rear trigger guard screw, and a K stamped on the wrist portion of the stock.

John in Charlotte, NC

 

Cool, thanks for looking John! I wish I knew what they meant. Must be final inspection proofs. I've seen letters & numbers like that stamped underneath the swivels on Czech rifles, but never multiple groupings

 

I sold my P-series, all matching in same SN range +/- 2k (not at home to check my book) a few months back on either trader or GB (I forget) and got the $400 I spent for it four years ago. Niche market.