Post war Yugoslavian Zastava M48

Besides the Spanish Air Force Mauser, I also grabbed this Yugoslavian Zastava M48. The only major issue I have found so far is some rust on the upper barrel band and cleaning rod. I'll get to that tonight sometime. Like the Spanish Mauser, all the serial number stamps match on this rifle too. It does have an import mark on muzzle end of "MMS HB"

Seems to be in nice condition with a beautiful bore. But I've not taken it all the way down yet or verified the headspace. THis is my first Yugo and I couldn't pass it up for $280.00

Nice snag, especially for under $300!
Some info for you; First of all, it's stamped M48A. But, the Serbs have kept the M48A rifles to themselves as last-ditch and training arms, considering them the best of the M48 series. The fly in the swill is that when they made changes to create the M48B they decided not to change the receiver stamp.
The manufacture ran thus;
M48-all milled- 1950-52
M48A stamped magazine floor-plate only 1952-56
M48B Stamped parts included besides the floor-plate; H-band, magazine follower, and the tell- trigger guard and magazine well, machined from a solid steel billet on the previous two models, became a stamped and welded assembly. This is revealed by a raised rib running around both sides of the trigger guard.

I couldn't get a good look at your trigger guard in the pictures, but, in all probability, your rifle is a model B. In over a decade of looking, I have never found a rifle stamped "M48A" to be other than a model B.

For more info on the remaining M48 series model, the M48bo, you can find it on the thread about a guy's M48bo elsewhere in Mauser rifles.
Here's an image showing the identifiable difference in the three models.
Attachment 90886 Attachment 90887

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Originally Posted by Jim

I couldn't get a good look at your trigger guard in the pictures, but, in all probability, your rifle is a model B. In over a decade of looking, I have never found a rifle stamped "M48A" to be other than a model B.

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Jim, Thanks for the info! you know I completely ignored the "A" I've been so busy with school, why at 58 I decided to go back is beyond me, that I haven't take the time to go through the last batch of rifles I've bought. I am chomping at the bit to take this and the Spanish Air Force Mauser out. But I still need to get an 8MM No-Go gauge first.

I just pulled the rifle out of my overstuffed safe and yes it has the ribbed trigger guard. I was going to buy the Mauser Military Rifles of the World book to get a bit of knowledge on them, I have amassed a number of them already.

Thanks again for the information, I really appreciate it.

Bill

No problem. That's what these forums are for. The sharing of information. As for head spacing, I like the field gage. You shouldn't have any problem. It ought to check out just fine.

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Originally Posted by Jim

No problem. That's what these forums are for. The sharing of information. As for head spacing, I like the field gage. You shouldn't have any problem. It ought to check out just fine.

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I normally get all three guages just because I do a lotof work on rifles and I hate need them and not have them.
Thnaks again

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Originally Posted by Jim

M48-all milled- 1950-52

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Hey Jim, I just came back from the gun store where I put the Model of 1917 on Lay-A-Way and look what I found. :yikes:

Great rifles I purchase one for $200.00 from a gentleman who had to get rid of his. He never shot the rifle and It looks like it was re-built as a previous serial number was set into the stock. I beleive his rifle came out the FROM-Yugo. I found it interesting the front sight blade was way to the left. I was wondering if the rebuild armory moved the sights deliberately since the weapon was being shipped to the FROM-Yugo and the breakup the Yugo followed shortly there after. Just my thoughts from being in the former Yugo after the break up.

Nice 1st model there baker. That's a German G96 sling on it. Actually they work very well if istalled like a normal K98 sling as in my photos below. Just use the G96 sling buckle as the keeper and punch some holes in the end for adjustment and put in a brass button.
I don't have the button in this one because I just stuffed the sling in for the photo and didn't bother with the button.

Attachment 90976

Attachment 90977

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Originally Posted by Jim

Nice 1st model there baker. That's a German G96 sling on it. Actually they work very well if istalled like a normal K98 sling

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Hi Jim, Yeah that was a nice rifle but $449.99 is a but more then I would want to pay. Besides, I don't have the disposable income right now just put that 1917 on lay-a-way. If he still has it one I pay off the 1917 and he can work on the price I might buy it.

Thanks, for the information on the sling! The sling on the M48A I have is all kinds of odd looking but I've not taken the time to see what the correct sling looks like for the rifle.

The 'correct' sling has the end buckle like a K98 sling but from there it's just a strap folded through the loop on the front band and fastened with a brass button.
Here's such a sling- a 'correct' one, on my M48B.

Attachment 91552