Personally $300 for a VZ24 with a good bore is a decent price. The metal may have been refinished as the bluing looks great and that is unusual for a Chinese Mauser. I don't think that would be a deal breaker for me. Non matching numbers on a Chinese is not unexpected. I'd have to hold it in my hands and inspect it closely but I think if that walked into my local gun shop, I'd take it home. I'd try to get it a little lower first but if not, I'd still take it.