Mauser vz. 24
Zbrojovka Brno · Rifle · Discontinued · 1924
Also known as: Puska vz. 24, VZ-24, Gewehr 24(t), Czech Mauser
Overview
The Mauser vz. 24 is a Czechoslovak bolt-action service rifle developed from the German Gewehr 98 and Karabiner 98 Mauser pattern and produced by Zbrojovka Brno from 1924 to 1942. Chambered for the 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge, it fed from a five-round internal box magazine loaded via stripper clips and used a short, sturdy barrel that gave it carbine-like handling. Widely exported across Europe, Asia and South America, it was adopted by more than thirty nations and saw extensive combat from the Spanish Civil War through World War II, where occupying German forces designated captured examples the Gewehr 24(t).
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4200 g (148.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1100 mm (43.31") |
| Barrel Length | 590 mm (23.23") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 762 m/s (2500 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3697 J (2727 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2000 m (2187 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.92x57mm Mauser · primary — also known as 8mm Mauser, 8x57mm IS, 7.92x57mm
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Stripper Clip, Internal Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Three Position Safety
- Features: Internal Box Magazine, Stripper Clip Loading, Controlled Round Feed, Iron Sights, Bayonet Lug
Service history
Operators
- Czechoslovak Army · adopted 1924 · as Puska vz. 24
- Wehrmacht · adopted 1939 · as Gewehr 24(t)
- Romanian Army
- Chinese National Revolutionary Army
Conflicts
- Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
- Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 1,092,000 · Production years: 1924-1942
Approximately 762,000 produced for the Czechoslovak army and some 330,050 for the German armed forces, in addition to large export quantities.
Origin
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Designer: Zbrojovka Brno
Discontinued: 1942
Notes
Export variants were also chambered in 7x57mm Mauser and 7.65x53mm Argentine. The vz. 24 heavily influenced later Mauser-pattern rifles, including Yugoslav and Turkish derivatives.
Background
After winning independence in 1918, Czechoslovakia inherited the Austro-Hungarian Brno arsenal and turned it into one of interwar Europe's premier small-arms makers; the vz. 24's reputation for quality made Czech Mausers a sought-after export and a mainstay of armies across three continents.