| Let's
have a look at some quotes from one of the most blatant advertisers of
misinformation regarding Yugoslavian Mauser rifles (I will out of
professional courtesy not name them here). The quotes were
taken verbatim from said advertiser's web site, where they'd
conveniently posted what they called a "press release" for
all to see. |
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Advertiser's
Quote: "An accident of history has preserved these superior
design 98k rifles, designated M48, complete with all of their original
accessories as they were intended to be issued in WWII."
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This quote looks more like an
(intentional) 'accident of history' on the writer's part and earns a
failing grade in terms of accuracy. 'M48' means 'MODEL OF 1948'. The
writer of the above quote either didn't bother to check or (more
likely) didn't think it was important for their clients to know that
production of these rifles began three years AFTER the war ended;
hence they could NEVER have been intended for issue in WWII.
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| Advertiser's
Quote: "The reason they are unique and still 'military-new'
is that they were built in Kragujevac, former Yugoslavia, during and
shortly after WWII."
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The writer is correct in
stating M48 rifles are available in 'as new' condition (being a
separate company, we cannot comment upon that advertiser's products'
condition nor upon their available inventory). They are also correct
in stating the name of the town in which the Preduzece 44 factory is
located, however these rifles were NOT produced during WWII. Design
work had begun and a prototype or three had been made near the war's
end, however NO rifle stamped 'M-48' existed during WWII. If one of
the very few prototypes ever became available, it would NOT be marked
or called an ‘M-48’ and would be rare enough to command an
extremely high price.
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Allow
me to clarify: NO RIFLE BEARING 'M-48' MARKINGS WAS EVER MADE
DURING WWII!
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| Advertiser's
Quote: "<advertiser name
omitted> has scaled the hurdles to make these rifles
available. They have contracted for all the "military
new" Mausers in the independent countries...” |
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For over fifteen years,
Marstar Canada has been the largest and in many cases the only source
of firearms from the former Yugoslavia. We have warehouses in Eastern
Europe, which contain large inventories of firearms (including
Yugoslavian Mausers). That this advertiser claims to have contracted
for 'all' of these rifles is preposterous - particularly to us at
Marstar, who are the largest and primary importer of Yugoslavian
Mauser rifles into North America, period.
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| Advertiser's
Quote: "The stock is, amazingly, made from Teak!" |
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Teak stocks? NO! Not
unless we've somehow failed to notice teak trees (native to tropical
climates) growing in Eastern Europe during our countless visits to the
area! The stocks are European hardwood: the truth about wood quality
stands these rifles' furniture in good enough stead without being
misleading.
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- Peter, Marstar
Webmaster
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