So far as we are aware, there are no prototypes for sale anywhere in North America - or, for that matter, anywhere else in the world - and if there were one, the asking price would be understandably quite high as a prized collectors' item - and its markings definitely different from those of the M-48 series. While it is true an extremely small number of prototypes were made during the Second World War, none of these research prototypes were ever marked 'M-48'. ‘48’ DENOTES YEAR OF ADOPTION (1948).Īll Yugoslavian Mauser rifles bearing 'M-48' markings were made in Yugoslavia at the Preduzece 44 (Zastava) factory. NO RIFLE MARKED 'M-48' WAS EVER MADE DURING WWII.
All M-48 series rifles feature a turned-down bolt handle. We frequently meet and have always maintained contact with military and armament production representatives there, have toured the factories where Yugoslavian military ordnance was produced, and thus have ready access to information straight from the source.Īs stated previously, arguments on discussion forums regarding the period of production, country of origin, and whether or not they were arsenal refinished are due to people confusing the M-48 rifle with the Yugo M-98 (refer to the section on the M-98 for more details about that rifle). Many who know Marstar need no further explanation however I will provide one here for clarity's sake: Marstar Canada has dealt directly with (now former) Yugoslavian military and civil officials for over fifteen years. What of our ability to shed light on the subject, state factual information, and offer informed, expert opinions? That said, much of the erroneous commentary regarding Yugoslavian Mausers which can be found on the Internet seems well meant and not an intentional attempt to misrepresent these fine rifles.Ĭlick here to view one advertiser's misleading Yugo rifle remarks Others mistakenly confuse the Yugo M-48 designation (post-war mfg.) with the Yugo M-98 (remarked German K-98) and so on ad nauseum until the information available on the Internet is a tangle of conflicting views (some correct, some partially so, and some incorrect).Īs for the minority of advertisers who do not seem to mind saying anything and everything (however unverified or knowingly incorrect) about their products in order to increase sales, these are unfortunately contributors to perpetuating myths and untruths about a particular product on the market. The truth is these people are mistakenly lumping the Yugoslavian 1924, M-24, M-24/47, and M-24/52 into a single designation when there are in fact four distinct variations thereof, each produced at a different time. The differences between the Model ‘1924’ and the ‘M-24’ Mausers are so minor it is quite difficult to tell them apart (which explains why some people argue about the M-24 being either pre-war, WWII, or post-war, and either refinished or not). Here are a couple examples of common misconceptions and why they occur: Explanations and history regarding all the different models will follow. This document is intended to help the reader understand a bit about these fine Mauser pattern rifles and to clear up some of the myths circulating around the Internet. I found a good deal more than I'd initially bargained for the amount of misinformation on the topic of Yugoslavian Mausers was staggering! This is not to be taken as meaning "everything written thus far on the topic is wrong," only that a certain amount of what has been said on discussion groups, forums, and even by some advertisers is incorrect (again, there are many advertisers who make every attempt to correctly research and offer clients accurate information about their wares).
The benefit comes from having your own "custom" Mauser.įollowing my extensive update to the Yugo Mauser and German Mauser sections of our web site, I decided on a whim to search the 'net using terms like 'Yugo Mauser', 'Mauser M48', 'Mauser M98', and so on out of idle curiosity. market is saturated with moderately priced, loosely named "custom Mausers". You can build on any of the quality Mauser's but don't expect to make a bundle on the re-sale. These rifles were all arsenalized and never fired, so one is as good as the other except for arsenal marks from storage. Mitchell's M48's are certainly overpriced for what you are getting, especially if this is for a build project. Externally, the M48 could use some improvement over some of the early M98's but they looks far better than some of the last ditch Mausers. The M48 is an intermediate length action while the M98 is a standard long action.
Mitchell's has a good explanation on their website as well as a manual that is downloadable which contains more information.