vz. 98/22

Vz. 98/22
Type Bolt-action rifle
Place of origin Czechoslovakia
Service history
In service 1922 -1924 Czechoslovakia.
Used by See Users
Production history
Designed 1922
Manufacturer Zbrojovka Brno
Produced 1922-1930
Specifications
Weight 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) loaded
Length 124.4 cm (49.0 in)
Cartridge 8×57mm IS
Caliber 8 mm (0.31 in)
Action Bolt-action
Rate of fire 10–15 rpm
Muzzle velocity 878 m/s (2,880 ft/s)
Feed system 5-round stripper clip fed internal box magazine, quickly detachable floorplate
Sights V notch Iron sights

The Vz. 98/22 is a Czechoslovakian-designed, full-sized, bolt-action rifle, designed and produced in Czechoslovakia. It replaced the Gewehr 98 rifles purchased from Germany after the Treaty of Versailles. The rifles were quickly replaced by the shorter Vz. 24, and were sold to various other nations, most notably Iran and Turkey, where they remained in service to World War II era and beyond.

Inception

When Czechoslovakia was founded in 1918, they immediately began planning to establish and arm their own military. Germany was selling many of their Gewehr 98 rifles in compliance with the Treaty of Versailles, so the Czechoslovakian military bought several of the old German rifles, and adopted them for service. However, many of these rifles were worn and well used. The Czechoslovakian military started rebuilding the Gewehr 98 rifles, fitting them with refurbished barrels, stocks, bolts, and sights, among other parts. This was done over the course of 1922 until 1923. These new guns were designated Vz. 98/22.

The Czechoslovakian military was particularly picky about the quality of their new service rifles, and only adopted a small number of them into their own military service. Such Czech service rifles were stamped with a E-22, or E-23 stamp. (The - being a stand in for the Czechoslovakian lion typical of Czech military proof markings) The rifles that were not adopted were sold in commission to either Iran, Turkey, or on the public market.

Decommission

The Vz. 98/22 was quickly replaced by the lighter, and easier to handle Vz. 24, and the remaining vz. 98/22 rifles were either sold to Iran, Turkey, or on the public market. Most of the public sales were still to Iran or Turkey, but some were sold to the Republic of China (1912–49) to supplement other Mauser type rifles.

World War II

Most of these rifles did not see official service in World War II, however they remained one of the standard service rifles of Turkey during this time period.

Markings

Many 98/22 rifles displayed a slight curved stamp on the receiver, displaying the words "ČS.ST/ZBROJOVKA/BRNO", translating roughly into "Czechoslovakian Armory of Brno." The later models of this rifle has the same text displayed without the curve to the text. If the rifle was adopted into Czechoslovakian service, it will have a E-22 or E-23 mark, usually on the side of the receiver, just above the serial number.

These rifles, as with any Czechoslovakian rifle, will have a (Z) stamp on most metal pieces of the rifle.

Turkish service models will have crescents on various parts of the rifle. Usually they can be found on the bolt handle, sights, or bolt shroud. Turkish models will also often have sights that were converted from Ottoman Turkish numerals to Western Arabic numerals, as well as the date the conversion was done. Most of these conversions took place in the early 1930s.

Iranian models will always retain the Persian numerals on the sights.

The rifle was made with several surplus German Gewehr 98 rifle parts. These parts will often be stamped with German Imperial marks.

Any model imported to the United States for commercial sale will have a United States import mark. These can usually be found near the muzzle.

Top of the receiver, showing the curved BRNO stamp

Users

Various others.

See also

References

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