1924 Mauser CXC

[hokie13]

I've had a model 1924 mauser in my family for many years now (~40) and just finally took a closer look at the markings on it. After doing some research online i have found out that it is a model 1924, with the stamp Fab. Nat. D'Armes de Guerre Herstal-Belgique. I believe this means it was made at the FN factory in Belgium. It also has the Yugoslov seal on the top part of the reciever, and says KPAbEBNHA CXC on the left side next to the factory engraving.

I have read that CXC means it was built in 1928-29 and is relatively rare, but i have not seen one that also has the FN factory markings. It also has the cartouche of King Alexander on the right side of the stock.

Does anyone have any information on when this was made? As i said before, i haven't seen any like this online so any information or help is greatly appreciated.

Information

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[m4a3sherman]

Thats the Serbian/Yugoslav crest on it... That's neat, I didn't know Belgium did a contract run for them...

[Patrick Chadwick]

The receiver ring marking stands for (Romanized) Kraljevina Srba,Hrvata i Slovenaca
= Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes

and together with the Yugoslavian Crest I think it must count as a rarity 1) to have survived 2) to have survived with the original markings intact and not, for instance, scrubbed off by communist Yugoslavia after the war. This is an early variant of the FN-made M1924, as shown by the FN inscription in a serif script, so it is probably from the first contract for 50,000 rifles from FN.
I.e. the date of manufacture is 1924 rather than 1929. What is the serial number?


Patrick

[hokie13]

The number on the right side is 2142, this is also on the bottom of the rifle next to the magazine plate along with a different number on the magazine plate, which is 11696 with either a leading L or a 1, cant really tell. hope that answers the question

also there are small Bs all over the gun, which is have heard are inspector marks?

[hokie13]

im not quite sure which number is the serial number, as there is one on the bottom of the mag plate in addition to this, but this is on the top right side of the receiver.

[Patrick Chadwick]

The number is 2142 in the second block (B) of 10,000.* Which makes it definitely one out of the first order for 50,000 from FN.

Patrick

*If the first block wwas numbered with an A. If the first block had no letter, then B is actually the 3rd block of 10,000 (I'm not sure about FN numbering procedure). But still from the first order.

[lucija]

I have two Yugo Mauser 1924 rifles but have never seen one like this, checked gunbroker - nothing in the past 90 days, so it must be a very rare and valuable gun.
Let us know if you put it up for sale/auction, I'm guessing that the price will be too high for my budget but I'd love to at list be able to take a shot at it.
Did you get any estimates on the value of the gun?

[hokie13]

I haven't received any word on what it is worth, however i am not really considering selling it as it has been in my family for a while.

However, any estimates of its value would be appreciated.

[lucija]

Given how rare this rifle appears to be I don't think anybody can give you an accurate estimate.
Consider that Yugo M48 (unissued) sells for up to $300.
Pre-war Yugo Model 1924 (not CXC/SHS, but Kraljevina Jugoslavija) for $250-$400 depending on condition (none of them in unissued condition of course).
If I take a wild guess I would say your gun is worth at least twice more ($500-$800, maybe even $1k) and don't forget about sentimental value it might have for Serbian/Yugo people like myself. The pool of such people is not that large (as lets say for German guns), but again your rifle is so rare that the size of a pool of potential buyers (that are willing to pay premium for sentimental value) might not matter.
I'm very curious to hear what experts on this forum would say!

[lucija]

I browsed through the book "Serbian and Yugoslav Mauser Rifles" over the weekend. Two interesting things about Model 1924:
Pg. 92. says that 100,000 pcs were manufactured by FN from 1926-28. Starting in Oct 1928 the production moved to Yugoslavia and the markings changed (CXC stayed for another 2 years).
Pg. 185-186. It appears that as late as 1962 they had some unmodified Model 1924 rifles (including Belgian ones) in Yugoslavia. Some of these rifles were sold to US/Canada arms dealers. The price in 1970 was $62.