M24 series

History

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.

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.

Civilian Use

A number of M24 series rifles have been sold to civilians, and are popular because of their low cost when compared to similar Mauser pattern rifles, such as the Nazi German Karabiner 98k. M24 series rifles are noted for their high quality and generally bright bores. Many have compared the M24/47 rifles to the M48 Mausers, which were built later than the M24 series. The M24/47 stocks are mostly made of thinner Walnut or Teak wood in the old German style, unlike the M48s, which are made in the Nazi German 98k style with thick Elm or Beech wood, and the M24/47s do not have a milled stainless steel "cupped" butt plate like the M48. Both rifles have a shorter intermediate-length receiver. M24 series rifles, like the M48 Mausers, are regarded as a military surplus firearm and can be collected in the USA, Canada and Australia at a generally cheap price due to the plentiful numbers recently imported from Europe, most of which had never been used in combat.

Pre-War and Wartime

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.

Sokolski karabin M.1924 (English: Sokol carbine M.1924) - at 94.5 centimetres (37.2 in) was just slightly shorter and had a stright bolt handle. It was designed for youth firearms training and target practice.

Jurišna puška M.1924 (English: 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.

Post War

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.