Theres a few bits missing like the bayonet assembly and sight hood but wondering how good of a deal on such a rough vz52. Also got a spare mag and catridge converter to x39 to go with it. I plan to fix a couple hairline cracks since it seems to be the matching stock. Really just looking to get any info since this'll be my first vz rifle, thanks.

Had the good fortune to pull this rifle earlier this year (from a legendary Enfield collector whose occasional posts you may have seen on here). This is a South African Rifle No. 1 Converted, a rare stopgap measure adopted to free up standard Mk. III rifles early in WWII. By the late 1930s, the Union had a sizable number of antequated long Lees kicking around, both in government stores and in private hands. In the run-up to the war, thousands of privately-owned service rifles were commandeered for second-line, training, or Union Defence use. Enough of these long Lees had worn-out barrels or broken sights that an overhaul program was considered to bring them back up to servicable condition. If new barrels and hardware would need to be sourced, however - the South African government reasoned - why not take the opportunity to update these obsolete long rifles to a more standard short rifle configuration? This would not only ease the logistics of parts supply, but also result in more useful, modern rifles. Several thousand such "No. 1 Converted" rifles were built from 1941 to 1943; they were issued out for training and to arm the Union Defence Force and other internal agencies that needed rifles, but not necessarily standard SMLEs.

The conversion was done in South Africa utilizing a mix of UK- and domestic-production replacement parts. The shorter barrels were commercial-marked BSA production items; interestingly, the muzzles were left uncrowned, so at first glance the barrels might appear to be cut-down long Lee barrels (they are not). The forearm and handguards were also supplied by the British. This was standard post-WWI-profiled Mk.III wood, and the forearms came with the cutout for the charger bridge - which the converted South African rifles never got. Some small hardware was produced locally, or perhaps taken from existing stocks of SMLE parts.

Essentially, the conversion replaced everything in front of the receiver with standard No. 1 fittings. The new barrels were cut for Mk.VII spitzer ammunition (whether or not the base rifles had been), and are "HV" marked and fitted with standard late-style rear sights. The magazine on this example is a standard 4th type SMLE magazine. Everything to the rear, however, was carried over from the original rifles. The receivers were long Lee receivers - this one was an 1897 LSA-production LE Mk. I, still marked as such on the receiver socket. (No new designation or conversion date markings were added antwhere on the rifles.) Two South African "U" property marks are visible on the receiver ring, as well as what appears to be a unit marking. The trigger guard is a modified long Lee item, and evidence of the ground-off wire loop (for the magazine chain to attach) can still be seen. The trigger and sear are still the single-stage ball-and-socket arrangement from the old rifle. The buttstock is an entirely unmodified long Lee buttstock, with the three-screw buttplate and single-screw sling swivel. The crisp stock cartouche contains an Enfield roundel, a "II." - it was apparently taken from a Lee-Metford Mk. II - and an "1893" date.

The bolt saw the most substantial modification. It started as an original LM Mk. II* or LE Mk. I/* bolt, with the cocking piece safety introduced in 1894 and dust cover. On this bolt, the dust cover was removed (some No. 1 Converted rifles kept their dust covers) and the tabs that held it in place ground off the bolt guide rib. The job was crudely done - you can still feel two bumps in the metal where the tabs would have been, and they didn't bother to polish out the grinding marks. The bolt body still has the lateral groove for holding the rear of the dust cover in place (much like a Sht. LE Mk. II or Mk. IV bolt). Since the original cocking piece safety was left intact and still functions, there was no need to add a thumb safety. Instead, the dial or "volley" sight aperture arm and spring were simply removed and discarded, leaving an empty space on the left side of the receiver socket.

(More in Part 2.)

I once had a Santa Fe sporter and really liked the crispy, clanky feel of the MAS-36 but got rid of it because it was chopped. Since then have been waiting for the right one to come along. This will do nicely in the collection. Got some brass and reloading dies on the way

I just traded for a Star BM and it has light pitting on the slide and rust on the grip. I’m curious if it should be left as is, professionally cleaned and or refinished or some kind of diy method. If it’s nothing to worry about then I will leave as is. It’s going to be a range gun.

In all seriousness, gonna add an original bayonet, sling, and cleaning rod. Picked this up a few days ago for a song. Serial range is correct for a final run Chinese Government SKS as is the rear sight markings. I believe this to be 1978 production.

(I had to split this post into 2 parts, since it had too many photos to post all in one. Find Part 1 here.)

I've paired the No. 1 Converted with an original cleaning kit, including a proper South African-marked oiler. Also included here is a rare South African contract Lithgow P1907 bayonet. These were produced in 1941 and 1942, and represent the only specially-marked "foreign" sale of Australian P'07 bayonets that I'm aware of. They are recognizable by the "U" property stamp on the pommel; these were apparently done at Lithgow, and thus look a bit different than other South African-marked bayonets.

Enjoy!

Picked this up at a local gun store for a decent price. Didn’t have a handgaurd when I purchased it but have since found an original blank replacement, but is matching other than the screws, bolt and one sight button. Has anyone seen screws like the ones on this rifle? They are different dimensions and I suspect they are Turkish made replacements but the rifle is not import marked but does have the rear sling swivel I’d associate with Turkish used G98’s. Secondly I suspect the receiver and bolt body have be cleaned to remove patina and put it back into the white. Thanks!

With another of my battle rifles. This time I took the 7.62 Enfield ( have a 303 at home) same arsenal build. Different time.I had bought back during the milk and honey days (Mid 90's, lol). And my original M16 clone (no forward assist) I bought in 1991 I had just gotten out of the Army and rebuilt. It was a good day :)

Finally got a Japanese helmet! Figured I’d show off some non firearms for once. Yesterday was a great day for my collection!

Finally managed to complete my general WW2 standard issue collection with some extras like Switzerland and Finland (Tikka M91 made in 1943). Mind the chrome buttplate that came on the Type 99. All of these models are exclusively dated 1939 or later.

*Picture is not mine*

Are any of you buying these kits? At $150 I am really tempted. They look really cool and shoot 9mm.

However one of the two only places that builds them reliably, Proteus, is basically turning away new work because of the demand. It will probably be a couple years before you can reliably send this out for a build. And unless you sbr it you need a new 16” barrel. Looks like they need extensive work for the semi conversion.

What are your plans? Good buy or waste of money?

EDIT: decided to order one. Thanks for the input and suggestions

Took my milsurps out to a range day today. Obviously had to take the RPG-75 trainer to show off. Also realized today that I don't have a milsurp rifle yet. Might have to get a vz24 to keep the Czech collection going.

Got my first M96 at a local gun show. Paid about 450, matching aside from cleaning rod. Was really happy to get a pre 1900 one. How common are ones this old?

Update to my Steyr M95 with no barrel markings.

I sluged the Barrel (lands: 7,73mm and groves 8mm) i still have no clue what caliber it is, neither 8x56r fits nor 7,62x54R.

If someone has an idea what i should do next or what caliber it might be it would be appreciated.

Finally got to sbr my PPS-43C 9mm.

Is there any way to patch up the hole or let it be?

Long story short, there is a 2-3° angle difference after widen the factory hole. There is no way to align the cross bar to have a good lock. So I widen the hole and now they are aligned with easy open and close the folding stock.

From photos. It the loose/bigger hole I'm conscious concerns.

Is there anything I can do such:

1-as adding a washer between the pin and spring.

1a-If So How in the world I can do that.

2-drop a weld dot to cover it then file/sand it down.

2a-protect the button and spring prior to dropping a weld.

Or

Just let it be because the weld will holds the pin/button and spring all together.

😊 TIA

Although it doesn’t relly fit my collecting focus (WWI/WWII), I have a real weak spot for CZ Brno short rifles (I have 4 vz.24’s!) - so I picked this up recently.

This is an all-matching example still chambered in the original 7x57 mm. Based on the serial (0981N), it was probably in the last batch shipped to Brazil in 1941. (Because Brazil was still neutral until 1942, Germany allowed CZ to finish the Brazilian contract even after they invaded Czechoslovakia in 1939.) It has some pitting below the wood line, but the exposed services all have a very nice patina.

The majority of parts are marked with Greek “alpha” and “omega” stamps (even the cleaning rod), which were quality control marks unique to the Brazilian contract.

Overall, it’s a really nice addition to my MILSURP collection!