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The beginnings of Zastava Arms reach back to 1853 when the company presented four cannons and two howitzers in their facilities in Kragujevac, Serbia. The factory was initially named Vojno-Tehnicki Zavod (Military Technical Institute) but was renamed at the end of the 19th century to Military Engineering Works. In 1904 the segment of the company dedicated to the automobile industry was opened which was renamed Zavodi Crvena Zastava ("Red Flag Factories") after World War II.
The arms production facilities were upgraded significantly in the 1860s and in 1880, the first repeating rifle inspired by the Mauser Model 1871 was presented by Kosta Milanovič. The rifle was also known under the name ‘Mauser Koka’. After a signed contract with FN Herstal in 1925, the company gained rights to produce the M24 series bolt-action rifles under their license. In 1928, Zastava started the production of rifles and ammunition in their new factory that was built only a few years prior. Due to enlarged facilities, they started manufacturing the Czechoslovakian 26 mm M 1929 signal pistols and light ZB vz. 26 machine guns under the Zbrojovka Brno license.
During World War II, Zastava facilities were severely damaged but were repaired in 1944 when the city of Kragujevac was liberated. Due to the ongoing war, the factory was repaired in the same year and the production of the 9mm M 1944 B2 submachine gun was launched.
After the War, Zastava M48 was introduced. The structural design of the M48 was based on the Belgian Mauser M24 series – a line of German Mauser Gewehr 98. The production of shotguns and small-bore rifles was launched in 1954 together with the M53 machine gun that evolved from the German MG 42. The derivatives of Soviet weapons can be traced back to Zastava as well. One such example is the PAP M59/66 semi-automatic rifle presented in 1961 which was manufactured as the licensed version of the Soviet SKS.
The M67 model which had been introduced in the following years set the foundations for the development of the Zastava M70 presented in 1970, which was later adopted by the Yugoslavian army. In the 1970s, a heavy machine gun was released which was design-wise much like the NSV machine gun. It was named Zastava M02 Coyote and it could fire over 700 rounds per minute. After a new plant had opened in the 80s, Zastava introduced several new models such as the M88 compact pistol, CZ99 pistol, M84, M86 and M92 machine guns etc.
Although the production was significantly slowed because of the UN sanctions during the Yugoslav wars, Zastava continued its production and signed an agreement with Remington Arms in 2005 which allowed for the export of hunting and sporting rifles to the United States. Consequently, the company was reconstructed in the following years. Despite the escalating debts, their facilities were modernized in 2017. In 2019, the company announced the opening of the Zastava Arms USA branch for import and distribution purposes, with the production of firearms significantly increasing in 2020.
Zastava M48 is a bolt action rifle with a controlled feed that was designed after World War II in 1948 and produced from 1950 up until 1965. It is the Yugoslavian adaptation of the German K98k model with some minor modifications and changes in the design. Moreover, most parts are not interchangeable between the Yugoslav and German versions. The action and the overall length of the M48 are much shorter compared to the K98k and the upper handguard completely encloses the barrel from the rear to the receiver. Most models have the bolt handle shaved on the lower side which is yet another small difference that separates the two rifle models apart. However, apart from the length, the bolt and receiver design is the same as on the K98k. The bolt body features three locking lugs, two at the front and one at the rear end of the bolt that locks up safely with the action's housing. Some early versions come with a steel plate on the buttstock, whereas the newer ones were redesigned into a cupped shape, increasing the overall durability of the stock. A conventional Mauser flag-style safety lever is located at the rear top end of the receiver. Like on the K98k, a dedicated bolt release lever is placed on the left rear side of the receiver of the M48. The sights consist of a typical inclination adjustable rear notch and a front post with a hood that can be adjusted for windage. Zastava M48 uses an internal five-round capacity magazine that can be loaded using stripper clips, thus the receiver features a bulb that functions as a guiding slot.
There are several variants of M48 available on the market, with the differences between them mostly in the use of materials. Changes happened to speed up production and lower the cost, thus the earlier versions of the M48 had machined steel parts whereas the later models predominantly used stamped parts. Some of the rifle components such as the magazine, floor plate or trigger guard were made of sheet metal stampings; however, the quality of materials was never compromised on the most critical parts such as the bolt and receiver. Some models came with an included cleaning rod, fitted through a bayonet stud.
Zastava M48 comes with a 597 mm (23.5-inch) long barrel.
Figure 1: Zastava M48, chambered for 7.92×57 mm JS (Source: https://ar.pinterest.com/pin/274015958561825897/?amp_client_id=CLIENT_ID%28_%29&mweb_unauth_id=%7B%7Bdefault.session%7D%7D&simplified=true)
Zastava M48 can be chambered for the following calibers:
7.92x57mm Mauser
The rifle is available in the following variants:
Zastava M48 A
Zastava M48 B
Zastava M48 BO
Zastava M48/63
Zastava M48 receivers come without holes for mounting purposes, therefore they must be manually drilled by a gunsmith. There is a bulb on the rear end of the receiver which functions as a stripper clip guide.
Figure 2: The receiver of Zastava M48, chambered for 7.92x57mm Mauser (Source: https://www.breachbangclear.com/yugoslavian-m48-mauser/)
Gewehr 98
Mauser K98k
Spanish Mauser M43
Israeli Mauser
As the M48 comes without holes in the receiver, the interchangeability conditions depend on the overall length and shape of the receiver. Please note, that although the action length of the M48 is not identical to the one on Mauser K98k, the same mounts can be installed on both rifles by slightly adapting the holes' drilling position.
Detachable pivot mounts make attaching and detaching your preferred optic an easy task. This pivot mount made by the Croatian company Rusan is repeatable and comes with a ten-year warranty, making it a suitable choice for Zastava M48.
Order Rusan Pivot mount
This Picatinny rail manufactured by the German company EAW is made of steel and will be a suitable fit for Zastava M48.
Check out EAW Steel Picatinny rail
The rail comes without holes therefore they must be manually drilled by a gunsmith.
If you happen to own this or any other rifle, we would appreciate it if you could help us expand our database by sending us some photos of the rifle receiver (the bare mounting surface of the rifle without the scope mounts installed). For your help, our company offers a fair return in terms of practical rewards.
Please send us an email for more information. You can contact us here: [email protected]
