BRNO German G33/40 Carbine 8mm Mauser

Extremely Rare Gewehr 33/40 Serial Number 1513 a. Made in 1942 at the German controlled Brno factory in Czechoslovakia. In the late 1930s, the Czechs were building the VZ 24, a full sized rifle, very similar to the German K98k. They were also building a shorter and lighter weight “carbine” version called the VZ 33. The VZ 33 was used by the Czech National Police and Border Guards. The VZ 33 was very easy to carry and use. It was four inches shorter and more than a pound lighter than the standard VZ 24.
Based on the serial number, G33/40 SN “1513 a” was manufactured in January of 1942 and is marked “DOT” and “1942” on the receiver. The “a” block being the first block of ten thousand produced in 1942. Only 120,000 G33/40s were produced before the factory was converted to K98k production.
G33/40 SN 1513 a is in very good condition and is complete with an original WW II sling and sight hood.
The laminated stock and hand guard show use with some handling marks, but no gouges, chips or cracks. The barrel retains most of its original blue/black finish while the floor plate, trigger guard, barrel bands and receiver have faded to a dark gray. Interestingly, the bolt assembly is “in the white”, but the turned down and cupped bolt handle was blued and retains most it's original coloring. The is no rust, surface pitting or corrision on the rifle. The bore is clean with no bulges and shows strong rifling. The action is “tight”, but functions smoothly with no feeding issues. The safety works correctly and the trigger pull is surprisingly light and crisp for a military rifle.
The receiver is marked G33/40, 1513 a, with an inspection stamp on the right side. The top of the bridge is marked 7,88 (8mm), “DOT” and 1942, The left side, has three “Eagle WaA 63” Waffenamts. The Czechs did not number small parts. The receiver and bolt are marked with the serial number, 1513a. None of the other parts have numbers, but they are clearly original to the G33/40. There is a small Import Mark, “ssan” on the right side of the barrel above the bayonet lug.

G33/40 SN 1513 a is and excellent example of a “specialty carbine” developed for the elite German Mountain Troops and Paratroopers. Considering the limited production and the harsh conditions where they were used, very few G33/40s survived and are now only recognized by serious collectors.