my 1st Czech Mauser- a 98/22 (pics)

[Jim]

This is my first Czech Rifle. Picked it up at a gun show without even knowing exactly what it was, (the owner only referred to it as a "BRNO 98") but I figured any BRNO had to be worth more than $140 so was a good deal, even though the stock was sanded. Private transaction too. No taxes or paperwork involved. After I got it home, I noticed the importers mark up on the barrel. 98/22. Ohh-Kay. So now I know what it is. Still knew nothing of that model though.
The numbers on the sight are in (?) Farsi? Turk?? Something like that there??? But there's no other indication of Turk ownership- No Crescent or anything like that. I have since read about a Turk contract, thus the sight markings,but I read that the Turk contract is supposed to have an "E" prefix. Mine has an "A".
The owner had $175 on the tag but said he'd take $150 for it. I roamed around a bit then came back ad asked him if he'd go $140. He thought about it a minute and said "'yeah."
Here's the pics. So how'd I do?

Information

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[Aragorn243]

Looks like a good deal for $140. I don't know much about the Czech rifles so I can't answer any of your questions.

How is the bore?

[gunner]

This is a Mauser rear sight in Farsi. The turkish ones has the normal rear sights with numbers as far as i know. Your pic is a bit to small to see it right.

Regards

Gunner

[Jim]

here's a better pic-

[gunner]

Interesting, it looks like that the left signs on my pic are on the right side of yours.

Regards

Gunner

[Jim]

Opposite, yes! Also, the characters are "written" differently. Did they hand engrave these things? Or were their stamp sets just that inconsistent?

[gunner]

Not sure but i believe they were stamped.
Regards

Gunner

[Dutchman]

If I had to guess I'd say that stock is Turkish walnut and not Czech walnut. And that's why it was sanded. The Turk replacement stocks for the 98/22 were quite roughly finished. I know because I have one that hasn't been sanded and it looks like the proverbial beavers chewed it to shape. The wood is rather spectacular but it was not a real high quality manufactured stock. Plus mine has a beech handguard <yuck!>.

For $140 you got a deal. It's a very pretty rifle.

Dutch

[Calif-Steve]

The Czechs received a pile of Mauser parts after WWI from Germany. They made up Gew98's for their own army. The Turks needed equipment after WWI and the Czechs shipped off Czech Army equipment from Army inventory and then replaced their losses with VZ-24 Mausers. Some of the early 98/22's will not have Turk marks and the later 98/22's will have Turk markings. I'm guessing you have an early 98/22. Nice find.

[jon_norstog]

Jim,

those are definitely Ottoman Turk numerals. It wasn't too long after Ataturk took over that they went over to "roman" alphabet and numbers. And banned the wearing of the fez or the veil.

So that period from 1918 to 1922 or 23 things were in flux, and there were a lot of loose weapons looking for a home.

That is the nicest looking Turk I've ever seen - it looks as nice as those persian Mausers you used to see. You stole that rifle!

jn