Czechoslovakia built this VZ.24 in 1939 for the Romanian army, serial CR2228, in 8mm Mauser with a 24-inch round barrel. The CR serial prefix on the left of the receiver ties it to the Romanian contract series, and a faint trace of the Romanian Royal Crest survives on the receiver. Rifles from the 1938-1940 contract carried Romanian-specific details such as the sling arrangement. The metal has gone to an even grey patina, the stock shows scattered service marks, and the bore has dark patches with the rifling still visible. The action works smoothly and correctly.

Pre-war contract Mausers with a traceable army are collector rifles first, and this one has the markings to prove its origin. 8mm Mauser is centerfire and over .22, so New Mexico allows it for big game with expanding bullets during the October-to-December rifle hunts, though surplus full metal jacket loads are not permitted and the bore condition favors careful use.

Key features

• 8mm Mauser, 24-inch round barrel
• 1939 Romanian contract, CR serial prefix
• Faint Romanian Royal Crest on receiver
• Even grey patina, bore with dark areas
• Smooth, correctly functioning action

It ships to a licensed New Mexico dealer for the NICS check and seven-day state wait before you take it home.