Yugoslavian Model 48 Short Rifle…………..(f 922)
Created on July 13th 2021
M48 Yugoslavian K98 Rifle
Having seen the effectiveness of the K98 at first hand, once again the emerging government at the time in Yugoslavia decided to re-arm with the very rifle they had been overrun by. Many Mauser K98s were left behind and were reissued with the original markings removed and the communist Yugoslav crest marked on the receiver ring. This is one such rifle still with its original outer action wall marking “Mod. 98” remaining in position. The weapons depot where the refurbishment was carried out is marked upon the RHS of the receiver ring “PREDUZECE 44” A clear Yugoslavian Communist crest is on the receiver. It is deeply marked and easy to study up close with a lens. The rifle serial number, “2387” is marked on the LHS of the receiver just above the woodwork. This matches the number on the curved bolt handle.
Still chambered in 7.9 x 57mm with an internal 5-shot magazine. The rifle retains almost many characteristics of the K98, in that it is 43.1/2″ in overall length. The round barrel is approximately 24″ long and the trigger pull to the centre of the cupped steel butt-plate is 13″. Stocked in a standard military late war laminated stock and half length handguard. If you very carefully run your fore-finger and thumb over either side of the stock, behind the stripping disk, you can just detect the flatness where the original stock would have carried the German cartouches – as they have been removed by hand-sanding. The stock has the bolt stripping disk in the butt and the transverse sling mounting slot along with the side mounted forward sling bar. The front band is a late war solid item with no numbers upon it. Bayonet lug to front along with hole for cleaning rod. Currently A/F. Hooded front sight in the German fashion.
Conventional K98 rear sight graduated from 100 to 2000 meters. Standard bolt action with flag safety to rear. If studied closely, on the underside of the bolt arm stub, you can see the original waffenamts with “77” below, proving this was not a remanufactured rifle but, originally a German K98. The same is visible on the top of the bolt release catch to the rear of the action. Plain steel cupped butt-plate with slight wood chipping toward the toe, as it disappears under the steel. This is hardly noticeable but irrelevant, as the steel butt plate is in position covering it. Sold steel trigger guard and magazine floor-plate, unmarked. Interestingly though, the main stock screws have locking screws still in place at the heads, as did the early war K98s.
As this is a second hand, second hand rifle, the original finish has worn away over the majority of the rifle but the magazine follower which is protected has a strong blue to it. There is no rust or pitting on the surfaces and most of the colour is a steel-grey to brown expected on a rifle of this age. The action is mechanically fine with fully functional safety. Trigger pull and release is positive. Laminated stock in good serviceable condition. Bore in good condition. Freshly proofed 2021.
Stock No f 922
£ 865.
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