How to date a Zastava M70 in 7x64?

[clockwork_7mm_gator]

How would one go about dating a Zastava Model 70 Mauser M98 in 7x64 with double set triggers still intact? Snagged it off gunbroker as a restoration project but have hit a dead end trying to figure out when it was produced. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

M

 

[sestoppelman]

Just forward of the bolt handle on the right side, there should be a date stamped into the receiver right there, may need to remove the stock to see it. BTW, I have one of those as well and it shoots excellent.
I did however have to do some wood repairs. The web of wood in the trigger well was cracked like most of these old Mausers are, and it needed to be bedded.

 

[clockwork_7mm_gator]

Thanks very much for that. Would you happen to know the range of production? (So I can agonize until it arrives and I can check )

 

[sestoppelman]

I don't really know for sure, but I suspect they may have started these in the late 60's perhaps. I would guess yours is probably from the 80's or early 90's.
My Whitworth .375 is from 83 and they started them in 1974. Member MrZorg knows a bit about these too. The actions have been made as Mark X, Whitworth, Remington, Zastava, Herters, and one or two others even maybe that I don't recall. Good solid action and barrels are usually real good.

 

[clockwork_7mm_gator]

Thanks!

 

[Major Khan]

Is not Zastava still offering their model 70 bolt rifle in 7×64 Brenekke calibre ... currently.

 

[mark-hunter]

Yes it does!
you can check also their web site, with list of available calibers.

 

[Major Khan]

Yes it does!
you can check also their web site, with list of available calibers.

Why thank you so much , Mark Hunter.

 

[clockwork_7mm_gator]

No, according to their US website, it's still made in 7x57 but not 7x64. Not sure if that means they discontinued it in Europe as well, but given their money problems, my guess is they did.

 

[mark-hunter]

I think it will depend on import. this below is available calibers on their web site. I was surprised even to see 7-08 in production!

 

[clockwork_7mm_gator]

The manual lists all the possible chamberings too. I don't know if they'll respond, but I asked the US branch in an email (what the production status of the Brenneke is right now).

 

[clockwork_7mm_gator]

Just forward of the bolt handle on the right side, there should be a date stamped into the receiver right there, may need to remove the stock to see it. BTW, I have one of those as well and it shoots excellent.
I did however have to do some wood repairs. The web of wood in the trigger well was cracked like most of these old Mausers are, and it needed to be bedded.

I finally have the rifle in hand. I see what appears to be 1639 or 1689 just forward of the bolt handle. I dropped the action out and see nothing else stamped. I'm assuming it's the last 2 digits for dating? (And I'm assuming based on that, that it's 89 for 1989 as this doesn't strike me as an 80 year old rifle .)

 

[sestoppelman]

Yeah, don't know about the 16 but the 89 seems right. Either a bad stamp or too faint to properly read.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

What looks like a 6 my guess is really a zero 0 making October 1989. Before the breakup of Yugoslavia.

Through 1989 the code is 3 or 4 digits for MMYY except months less than 10 don't get a leading zero.

From 1991 forward the dates I've seen are only 2 digit for year YY.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

I think it will depend on import. this below is available calibers on their web site. I was surprised even to see 7-08 in production!
View attachment 345300

My 7mm-08 Zastava LK M70 has a 22 inch barrel. I haven't taken it out of the stock to see the date code. I don't know when 7mm-08 became an option other than knowing it can't be earlier than 1980. My 7mm-08 has a rifling twist rate of 1:10 inches while the 7X57mm and 7X64mm have their barrels manufactured with their common traditional 1:8.67 inches rifling twist rate.

Zastava Arms USA is currently importing a limited list of the available chamberings to the USA; new production 7X64mm and 7mm-08 aren't currently being imported here.

https://zastavaarmsusa.com/product/sporting-rifle-lk-m70/

So yes Major Khan as Marko said it is still being manufactured in 7X64mm Brenneke just not currently being imported to the USA. You should have no problems acquiring new production Zastava LK M70 in 7X64mm.

https://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/sporting-rifle-m70/