Question on date of this Mauser 98/22...

**Delerius** · November 18th, 2011, 10:59 PM

Just got this Mauser 98/22 in today and I'm trying to date this gun. I thought I read some where that the two digital number after the proof mark on the left hand side was the year but I'm not positive. Anyone help me out with this? In the photo below where I circled in red, there is a lion then 23. The serial number prefix is "B" if that helps...

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**y0rlik** · November 18th, 2011, 11:57 PM

I can't help you with the date, but it's a Czech VZ-24 (as indicated by the rampant lion crest and the BRNO on the receiver ring). They're supposed to be very high quality.

**Delerius** · November 19th, 2011, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by y0rlik

I can't help you with the date, but it's a Czech VZ-24 (as indicated by the rampant lion crest and the BRNO on the receiver ring). They're supposed to be very high quality.

Thanks for the reply. I thought at first the gun was a VZ-24 but the import mark on the barrel says that it is a 98/22. It does have a parade hook on the barrel band if that helps at all with the dating. It's a really nice gun with the cleaning rod and bayonet...

**Sniperfreak** · November 19th, 2011, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Delerius

Thanks for the reply. I thought at first the gun was a VZ-24 but the import mark on the barrel says that it is a 98/22. It does have a parade hook on the barrel band if that helps at all with the dating. It's a really nice gun with the cleaning rod and bayonet...

the mislabeling on the import stamp is actually a fairly common problem...I've seen quite a few, from wrong models on barrel stamps ( as seen here) to wrong caliber (I believe Century even recalled quite a few a few years back due to the wrong caliber being stamped on the import mark).

**39flathead** · November 19th, 2011, 02:14 PM

What kind of sling swivel does it have? Is it a through stock type or mounted on the bottom like a typical mil. swivel?
Is the left side of the rcvr marked VZ.24 on the bolt rail?
Is the rear band stamped or milled?

Without pics of the stock and RCVR, I think you actually have a VZ23.

VZ23 's have bottom mounted swivels, no markings on the rail and milled bands. Also the rear sight is serial #'ed to the gun like yours is.

The acceptance mark is an E (rampant lion) 23.

If it is not a VZ23, it is a very very early VZ24 as the year of introduction of the 24 is obviously 24, not 23.

Edit to add:
VZ23 pics and info:
http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?...er-Short-Rifle

**Delerius** · November 19th, 2011, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by 39flathead

What kind of sling swivel does it have? Is it a through stock type or mounted on the bottom like a typical mil. swivel?
Is the left side of the rcvr marked VZ.24 on the bolt rail?
Is the rear band stamped or milled?

Without pics of the stock and RCVR, I think you actually have a VZ23.

VZ23 's have bottom mounted swivels, no markings on the rail and milled bands. Also the rear sight is serial #'ed to the gun like yours is.

The acceptance mark is an E (rampant lion) 23.

If it is not a VZ23, it is a very very early VZ24 as the year of introduction of the 24 is obviously 24, not 23.

Edit to add:
VZ23 pics and info:
http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?...er-Short-Rifle

Thanks for the link. I will take a couple more photos tomorrow of it. I do believe it does have the 1/4 turn only rear sling swivel and that the swivels are only on the bottom. There are no markings of VZ.24 anywhere on the gun. Thanks again for the help...

**Delerius** · November 21st, 2011, 05:40 PM

I just checked and the swivels are not the 1/4 turn type. Here are some additional photos...

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**mp517prct** · November 22nd, 2011, 10:21 PM

This most definately looks to me like a vz.98/22 not a vz.23 or vz.24

**egon12** · November 22nd, 2011, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by mp517prct

This most definately looks to me like a vz.98/22 not a vz.23 or vz.24

I have to agree from the pictures It seems to be a 98/22. If it has a long barrel, around 29", it's a 98/22. If the barrel is shorter, around 24", it's a vz.23 or vz.24. I always assumed that the two digit code was year of production but I might be mistaken. I do know that the Czech's did start to rearm with the 98/22 after the founding as a nation after WWI but switched mid stream to the vz.23 &vz.24 when the shorter rifles became popular with other nations. The already built and Czech issued 98/22's were then sold to Turkey along with a contact with CZ to build more 98/22 for the Turkish army. To tell the difference between the early Czech issued guns and the new Turkish contract guns is by looking at the rear sight. Czech= normal numbers, Turkish = Arabic numbers. Overall it looks like a nice rifle. Makes me wish I never sold mine. Enjoy it.