Lucky Jackpot model 1924 rifle

[Jim]

I was perusing Gunbroker this past week when I stumbled across this little Gem. A "Yugoslavian 8mm miitary[sic] rifle."(or so he thought, the seller allowed he wasn't sure)) Hmmm. Wassat I wonder. (there was no pic in the listing.)

It was a Yugoslav alright, a model 1924 short rifle and an "artillery technical institute"/Kingdom of Yugoslavia" siderail stamped model at that. They only made those two years, 1930-31. And as it happens it follows my CXC right in order. The auction had been up about 3 days and the opening bid was, wait a minute... say whattt... $125? $125?! and there were no bids!!
I couldn't let that go so bid on it I did. Knowing it was so poorly listed I had hopes I might get it at just that and so it was. I won it last night for the sale price of $125.

I grant you, I still have to pay shipping and the transfer fee but it's just the thought of that low a sale price that gives me the thrill of the hunt! Now, the rifle's not flawless but then, 80 year old milsurps rarely are. The bolt is mismatched and the magazine follower is missing. So to is the cleaning rod but that's so common as to hardly be worth mentioning. The seller described the bore as "pretty fair rifleing[sic] but looks dark." That's a roll of the die but I'm not too concerned about that. "Dark" bores routinely shine up some and as long as the rifling is there and the crown not damaged, these things usually shoot alright. Even a damaged crown is not too big a deal. That's easily enough corrected.

The stock looks good, The usual handling dents and dings but not too many or too bad. There's plenty of wood above the cross bolt and the side stamped serial number though not clear enough to read appears deeply struck so there's no reason to believe the stock has been sanded. I'm hopeful for an original finish. Metal finish appears fair though there appears to be a little surface rust and maybe some pitting on the side of the receiver. All the stamps are deeply struck and clear. Overall, I think it's a pretty decent rifle under any circumstances and a darn nice one for the price.
These are some pics from the auction.




Then, for some, there's the question of conscience. I debated that though admittedly, not for long. I've crossed this situation before. Courtesy would suggest I contact the poor sod and set him straight. But then, he obviously has some computer savvy if he can register and log onto and list a rifle to sell with Gunbroker. Then he should be savvy enough to Google "Yugoslavian model 1924 rifle." He at least surmised that much. I tried it and tons of hits came up where in the history and value of this model rifle was described. My view is that if he could not be bothered to do such a research, I need not bother giving him the benefit of mine. And "that's all I have to say about that."I know this is long but I'm excited about it and wanted to have some fun with it and so I did.

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