Acquired a 98/22

[nrobertb]

My "new" Czech model 98/22, in 8mm Mauser cal. I had one of these a few years ago and liked it a lot, but unfortunately had to let it go. Weather hasn't been conducive to a range visit, but when it is I'll post results.

[vandle]

Very nice example, wish I can find one as good as that.
Thanks for sharing.

[nrobertb]

There are some markings on the receiver in very small letters. I wonder if they were added by an importer.

On the left side, above the serial number, it looks like " NAC DIN N1".

On the right side is "cal 8MM TURKEY".

Any ideas?

[72 usmc]

There are some markings on the receiver in very small letters.

I think you have an early 1990s imported rifle from Navy Arms. They imported a large group from Turkey around 1990-92. THAT IS AN IMPORT MARK. Import marks can be found under the barrel above the cleaning rod and others had import marking on the sides of the receiver. The mark is small and lightly stamped and always hard to read due to poor stampings and there small size. Generally you see NAC RID NJ or NAC Ridgfield NJ with the CAL 8 MM Turkey on the right side of the receiver just above the wood line. NAC = Navy Arms Company. So I think DIN is a hard to read RID and N1 is NJ. At least that would be my guess. This is for the 98/22 rifles. They also had GEW 98s about this same time.

Some later 1990s (1998-2001 )rifles had the NAC RID NJ on or near the top of the left side of the receiver above the factory serial markings and the caliber stampings on the right at the wood line. The first group in the early 1990s had both markings on the bottom of the barrel, real small & lightly stamped and found at the bottom of the barrel near the cleaning rod. You generally have to pull the cleaning rod out to find the little import mark.

Can you provide a micro view of a close up of the import mark? Please
here is a pic. Most are not this distinct or large.

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[nrobertb]

Thanks. That is undoubtedly what it is.

[72 usmc]

Here is a link to some versions of import marks:
http://www.northwest-denture.com/mauser ... marks.html

If the link should fail, here are screen shots from the above source SEE CREDITS IN THE ABOVE LINK:

The first column shows the import mark as it appears stamped on the firearm, Company name in second Column.

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Screen Shot 2019-12-13 at 7.57.23 PM.png (42.29 KiB) Viewed 4279 times

[72 usmc]

The Mosin Nagant page is also a source of import marks found on Mosin Nagant rifles & is a great source of 57 IMPORT markings. SOURCE IS 7.62x54R .net. Most know of this list.
see: http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinImport.htm

Both lists help identify the many different IMPORT marks found on post 1968 firearms. Most know this, but here is a review:

The data required to be on all non-antique firearms imported to the United States after the passing of the GCA in 1968 are as follows:

1. Serial number: This number cannot duplicate any previous one used by the importer. Must appear on the frame or receiver. Must use Roman letters and Arabic numerals (no Greek, Cyrillic, etc).
2. Name of Manufacturer
3. Country of Origin
4. Model Designation
5. Caliber
6. Name of Importer
7. City & State of Importer

SOURCE https://www.ammoland.com/2013/10/gun-co ... z682kw9eHC

Also note later import marks are larger and are generally found as "billboards" on the receiver thanks to the Feds:
.

For firearms imported after January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting or stamping (impressing) of the country of origin must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch

As of 1/30/2002 the Serial # must be on the receiver (not the barrel), minimum 1/16 " in height, the import mark also got larger; Welcome receiver BILLBOARD IMPORT marks after 2002. It is always best to get a surplus firearm as a bring back lacking import marks, or second, as an early post 1968 import mark that is tiny and generally found on the barrel or near a wood line on the receiver. They are so small the import mark is hard to find. Some rifles imported after the Tariff Act of 1930 to 1967, just have the country of origin stamped on the rifle such as" England or France".

[Calfed]

Nice find, nrobertb.

The early Czech 98/22's had the "lange vezier" sight. I've always wanted one of those.

Post a range report when you can.

[nrobertb]

The weather warmed a bit and I made it to the range today to shoot the Czech 98/22. I always shoot in the middle of the day on weekdays, so even though we have over 300 members, I'm usually the only one on the property, one of the benefits of being retired.

I used 175 grain copper jacketed bullets with exposed lead tips, and 3031 powder.

The rifle proved to be very accurate, although like most military rifles it shot several inches high at 100 yards, with the rear sight in its lowest setting.

[Calfed]

The weather warmed a bit and I made it to the range today to shoot the Czech 98/22. I always shoot in the middle of the day on weekdays, so even though we have over 300 members, I'm usually the only one on the property, one of the benefits of being retired.

I used 175 grain copper jacketed bullets with exposed lead tips, and 3031 powder.

The rifle proved to be very accurate, although like most military rifles it shot several inches high at 100 yards, with the rear sight in its lowest setting.

Yep...very common

[bobvz]

Replace the rear sight leaf with one from a M36 Turk graduated at 100 meters up. You can get them for around $10 or less. Cured both of my 98/22's.

[nrobertb]

Good idea. The current one starts at 400 yards. Thanks.

[Calfed]

How does the sight leaf come out?

[72 usmc]

How does the sight leaf come out?

see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mswwYsQz5Wg

[OldRifles]

Vastly underrated rifles that suffer from the (ongoing) Turk curse. They're extremely well made, and most have new barrels. I bought mine as a hand-pick when they were $79. Mine seems to prefer 150-154 grain bullets, and shoots the Turkish surplus pretty well. Hand loaded with 150 grain bullets and IMR 4064, they do REALLY well. The only weak link is the sights at that point.

Pat