Restoration of Yugo model 1924 rifle finally finished

[Jim]

The thread title says "finally" finished as this has been done in stages, over years, the primary requirement being a correct stock. I'm here to tell you, a non refurbed King Alexander stock is not too easy to come by!

This rifle came to me as a gift from a friend. For any not familiar with Yugo Mausers, we're talking about a model 1924 "short rifle" manufactured in Yugoslavia between 1928 and Nazi occupation in 1941. (This model is the base rifle for the familiar 24/47 refurb rifle.) But this rifle, the barreled action anyway, is of a narrower segment of manufacture being stamped CXC for the "Kingdom of Serbs, Croats & Slovenes." This stamping was only used for about a year and a half beginning in 1928 into 1929 when the country was renamed the "Kingdom of Yugoslavia" and the stamping changed accordingly. This rifle was produced in 1929. Sadly, Bubba had worked his sadistic magic on this rifle. Originally a straight bolt, he had cut off the bolt arm, welded it back in a bent position and, finding it didn't clear a scope, I guess, ground a big divot out of the top of the bolt arm. How he missed drilling and tapping the rifle, I cannot imagine but am eternally grateful!

So here we have it. A once valuable rifle dropped in a wrong stock with a hacked and butchered bolt. (See top Left pic.) One other thing. He must, (I hope!) have put it in an artificial stock because the new configuration of the bolt arm hit the side of the 48 stock not allowing the bolt to rotate fully into the locked position.

The first thing that happened was that a 24/47 gave up it's straight bolt. Then I got a 24/47 stock, easily come by to fit the rifle. Happens it was a pretty stock, too. At least now it looked close. End stage one. (see Top Right pic)

In time, I saw a 24/47 with a remarkable amount of the King Alexander cartouche on the stock. That was actually a pretty remarkable find! I bought the rifle, just for the stock. Too bad the 24/47 was matching, but 'oh well'... End stage two and, I figured, the final stage. I really never expected to find an original non refurbed stock, correctly marked. I wasn't even looking anymore. (2nd pic down, Left)

Then, in discussion with a seller from whom I was purchasing a rifle (the Yugo type II carbine, actually) I mentioned my particular need. Why, I cannot now recall but, turns out he had one! Non- refurbed, King Alexander cartouche, even had a handguard for it! Stuck me for $100 but I paid it, oh yes I did! The stock is somewhat beat up but then, so is the finish on the exposed parts of my barreled action. They match quite well! Another plus is that, as went early Yugo practice, the serial number was only stamped on the side, beneath the receiver ring. It's so worn that it's nearly illegible. It's not even immediately obvious that the stock is not matching.(see bottom Right pic for close up detail)

End stage three and final incarnation. This rifle is now 'restored' as far as it can be.Doesn't hurt that the stock has some nice striping too. (2nd pic Right and 4 bottom pics)


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I shot some more pics outside and they really bring out the stripes in the new stock!
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[mike webb]

Nice job, Jim. Just goes to show, " All things come to he who waits". Real nice wood too.