M48 sniper

A few years ago I decided to build a M48 sniper.
I got an original Zrak mount and a 6x42 N scope.
I emailed Zrak in Bosnia but no reply.
I have also phoned but no one spoke English at that time.
So I emailed the usa distributor with the question below
regarding the N type scope............

'Is this a scope that would have been used on the M48
sniper rifle in the war in Bosnia etc in the early 90s ?'

The reply was...

'Yes. This scope was originally made for hunting but back in 90's
due to limited or no supply of any weapons or ammunition this was
used (very effectively) through whole war.'
and
'Yes the N and ON versions were used.'

I have a standard bolt handle but it will not open past the scope.
How were the handles modified?
were they just bent more?
or were they machined to give the space?

were there any other modifications done to the rifle?

I have built this rifle from bits got all from ebay over 18months.
It looks great and went through proof perfectly, rechambered to 8x60s and is now declared.
The trigger is very direct, no slack, just an average pull.
It is very accurate and groups of 2 inch or less at 50m.

Does any one have information on the M48?

:cheers:

Any one got any ideas?

I can give you some history. The only official (Tito Communist) Yugoslav adaption of the M48 into a sniper was the M48/52, an experimental model with a production run of 4018 that were never issued or entered service. What happened to these rifles is unknown. They used a Yugo copy of the Soviet PU scope on a mount attached to the left side rail.

There was a model M69 that used the ON-2 M1969 optical sight by Zrak. But, this was not an M48 rifle. It was purpose built working up from Zastava's LK-70 sporting rifle. This was reportedly used until replaced by the repeating model 1991/1993.

As for what may have been used in the 'troubles', virtually anything that was available and could be made to work, was, including your Zrak rig. As for your bolt not clearing, modified bolts are available on ebay, Gunbroker, and auction arms. There is also a fellow you will modify your bolt but I cannot think of his name. You see, I am a traditionalist who does not personally believe in modifying these rifles from original configuration. But yours is your property to do with as you please. But my views mean I don't pay attention or retain info onto folks who do that sort of thing.

Anyway, I hope this helps. Historical information from the book "Serbian & Yugoslav Mauser Rifles" by Branko Bogdanovic. North Cape Publishing

read,

you are in France - maybe you should go to Serbia and see what you can find out? Take a week off work, get on the train, see who will talk.

Just a thought.

jn

Just noticed this thread, sorry I missed it earlier ... :)

With Claven2's help, I built an M48A repro sniper a few years ago as well. :thup:

I just did a search on the phrase 'zrak" here and a few old threads from 2007 turned up, as well as I've posted the photo album for the one I built, which I have since sold.

1948 Model M48A Repro Mauser Sniper (click here)

m48 Sniper-Repro's (old 2007 thread)

Some other sites that you might want to look at ..

Texas Trading Post's M48 Mauser Sniper Rifle WEB Site (Click Here)

Field Expedient Sniper Rifles used during the Bosnian Civil War (Click Here)

Hope this helps ... :)

Regards,
Badger

Thanks for the posts, I had stared to give up hope of some comments,
All interesting,

Taking time off work is not that easy.
one, I need the money.
two, I would have to take the wife and twins.

I will read the links over the weekend, when I have time due to work,
Every one wants me ``now, on sunday, bank holidays, even on the days when I look after the boys, they ring me the night before expecting me to drop everything and start early the next day.

Work's nice when you got it these days! My only gripe is that I haven't been to the range in a month, and the work just keeps pouring in. Oh, well.

All this info is new to me, though, as Mausers are a bit outside my usual sphere of collecting.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmoore

Work's nice when you got it these days! My only gripe is that I haven't been to the range in a month, and the work just keeps pouring in. Oh, well.

All this info is new to me, though, as Mausers are a bit outside my usual sphere of collecting.

---

It's a whole other world from other types, but then, aren't they all?:madsmile:

One thing that I consider more rewarding about them is that more is known about the many markings than on many of the Mosins. You often have to dig, but there's good odds of finding an answer to what most of them are. Of course, here I am specializing in Yugos when most of the Post War inspection stamps specifics are unknown. Still, we keep looking. Very often, the truth is out there. We pegged TRZ.5 at Hadzici didn't we?!:super:

I started on Mausers here as they are plenty full and cheap and plenty of bits compared to Enfields, and the Germans left plenty which the French hid,
(reason why the firearms restrictions are a little strange here). I find the build quality of Mausers to be superior to Enfields, and many other makes and the ability to just swap parts without problems.
The historical importance of the work Paul Mauser did and left for us cannot be ignored, just think no Springfield's, no 30-06, no good Remingtons and not even the BSA made Mausers ,'oh' and I understand the usa has still not paid the royalties to Mauser for the Springfield and 30-06 copies after the us got beaten in a little war.

My clubs covered 200 meter range is 2 min drive from my home, but even so I don't get down as often as I want. With it being so cold for so long this year, and I am getting older now and it takes time for me to warm up.

I was departmental record holder with a K98 mauser in 8x64s at 200m with open sights a few years ago. I hope to get it back using a G98 in 8x64s or 8x60 with a WW1 scope, in a slightly different class.

I think I need to take a few pics and post them, rather than just rambling on.

Umm, Hadzici... Last "DU" I saw was a chunk of L1011 counterbalance weight that some knothead wanted me to machine for a rivet set. Sent him away PDQ!


Not exactly a vaction wonderland, I should think. Maybe staying in France isn't such a bad idea.