Czechoslovakian Firearms

The CZ52s
This is , like one of my fave bands in the known universe. They are so totally cool! I mean RAVE and PARTY OUT OF BOUNDS! We are talking so groovy you could just take daddy's money and buy ALL their albums and... What? the B-52's is the band... and this page is about GUNS? Oh WOW-- like never mind , dude. :(

This, on the other hand, is a CZ52 pistol in caliber 7.62x25.

The CZ52 is a Czechoslovakian manufacture VERY high-powered pistol. Some 200,000 were manufactured in the early 1950's (1952-1954) by the Ceska Zbrojovka armory (Czechoslovakia). The pistol at right is an armory re-arsenaled model equipped with a Hogue HandAll grip sleeve. The hand-all is an excellent temporary addition which softens the recoil immensely and makes no permanent change to the configuration of a collectible firearm.

In 1982, Czechoslovakia adopted the CZ82 (9mm Para) pistol and all of the 52s were recalled. The majority of these military pistols were rebuilt and refininshed. Those pistols which did not require rebuilding were simply cleaned, stored and eventually surplused-out in their original gray finish.

The foto at right is a first-year production model (1952) in its original gray finish.

Upon the breakup of Czechoslovakia into the separate countries of Slovakia and the Czech Republic (theCR), the CR began to release these surplus pistols for sale via the newly privatized Arms Moravia.

At right is a foto of both versions of the CZ52.

This a wonderful high-powered machine with a resounding blast that spits an impressive tongue of flame. It was designed to accomodate rounds of between 1300 and 1600 fps (basically, somewehere between a .357magnum and a .44 magnum). A bit of a kick to the recoil, but no more than your newer ''polymer'' frame 9mm.

**Discussion of ''the CZ52 Accuracy Dot theory''. This theory has been pretty well debunked, due in part to correspondence which I had with knowledgeable parties at Arms Moravia in the Czech Republic.
** And here is an ''Exploded view drawing'' of the CZ52 PISTOL (with many thanks to GGoebel). Use your browser back-button to return here.
** History of the CZ armories resides here.
** Did someone say there were no full-autos in 7.62x25 calibre? There are pix of three CZ sub-machineguns at this link.
** Here is an article comparing the muzzle velocities of several different varieties of 7.62 x 25 ammunition entitled How hot is 7.62 x 25 ammo?

Here is a report on some VERY dangerous Bulgarian 7.62x25 ammunition that is making the rounds in surplus ammunition circles. If you own and shoot a CZ52, Tokarev or any other pistol in 7.62x25, you might want to read this article.

Several Months after I prepared this first article, I received an interesting couple of follow-up notes from a retired Army Armourer regarding this ammo and the safe use of surplus fodder in general. These notes from Jogn Fortys will, I hope, prove as interesting to others as they were to me. Click here for the notes.

I am also planning on developing a chart of the various makes of 7.62x25 ammunition presently available or known (Feb. 2004) and a page illustrating the various headstamps thereon. Stay tuned.

On alternate days, I consider the CZ52s to have been either an enlightenment or a curse. My introduction to the CZ52 pistol eventually led me to become a fan of Czechoslovakian firearms in general. The enlightment is that I now believe that the Czechs are amongst the finest armorers in modern history. Since the acquisition of the model 52 pistol above (here comes the curse part) I have also acquired a German-occupation CZ27, a CZ45 gentleman's ''vestpocket pistol'' and a CZ50 commercial from the Cold War period.

Not to mention my VZ24 and VZ 98/22 Turkish-contract rifles.

If you are interested in a complete "Magnum Opus" -- well, not exactly complete because I am still working on it -- you can click here and go to it straightaway.

If you have a third hand, this is a VZ52/57 Czech rifle
in caliber 7.62x39.

The VZ52 is a Czechoslovakian rifle generally found in 7.62x45 calibre which, as of June 1998, is still a relatively inexpensive collectible. Confusingly, it is also frequently referred to as a CZ52 - same as the pistol. In the "collector world," however, an accomodation has been come to. Mos knowledgeable collector will refer to the rifle as a "VZ52" while "CZ52" generally means the pistol.

As the name would suggest, it was first manufactured and distributed to the Czech military in 1952.

The difference between a VZ52 and the VZ52/57 (as pictured) is in the innards. The VZ52/57 is a 1957 adaptation which uses a combloc standard 7.62x39 calibre. The 52/57 is not nearly as common as is the straight-up 52.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of VZ52s which have found their way here are really ratty. Many have had a non-original black crinkle-paint added to the stock, decreasing the collectible value and making a beautifully ugly duck actively ugly.
Rather than my repeating the info in an already excellent article, try Darin's VZ52 page.
**Are you ready for the possibility of Egyptian VZ52s? (There weren't any, but it made for an interesting mystery).
**There is an excellent thumbnail History of the VZ52/57 at this link.

The CZ27 (left) was an excellent police and military firearm designed by Ceska Zbrojovka in 1927. It was sufficiently well-thought-of that it was ordered kept in military production by the Germans during their World War II occupation of Czechoslovakia. While the Germans ordered no mechanical changes to these firearms, the occupation pistols can be identified by the initials ''fnh'' stamped on the left slide as well as the presence of German military ''waffenamt'' or military acceptance markings.

At right is another illustration of the German Occupation period "fnh" CZ27. In full, the slide stamp of the more highly sought-after German Occupation models will read fnh Pistole Modell 27 Kal. 7.65

This military .32cal was produced beginning in 1927 and ceased production in 1950. It was phased out of service to be replaced by the CZ52 as the Czech standard service sidearm.

Sadly, my old soldier has a broken grip on the left side, however, this has had no effect on the shootability of this tight and convenient .32 calibre pistol. Overall, the CZ27 is a fine example of European craftsmanship in a "gentlemanly" .32acp / 7.65mm calibre.

For purposes of comparison, the foto at rightshows a CZ27 and a CZ52. Note the size disparity between the two machines.

I have found the CZ27 to be an excellent shooter (a trait shared by all of the Czech firearms. If considering a CZ27 for its value as a shooting-piece, however, one should bear in mind that it was designed as a close-quarter defensive firearm and NOT as a distance or match target firearm.

The CZ45, (at left) is a small and compact double-action-only semiautomatic of the ''vestpocket pistol'' class. Mine was constructed in 1947.

They were designed by Frantisek Myska in 1936 (as the CZ36) and modified / simplified by designer Jaroslav Kratchovil in 1945. The CZ45 has no safety switch, being a double action system. Unlike most semi-autos, the slide does not re-cock the pistol after firing, again because of the double-action theory involved.

The CZ45 carries an 8-round magazine and has an overall length of 5-inches. The barrel is 2.5-inches in the lenght and the pistol has an empty weight of only 15 ounces.

The "long and the short of it." At right is a comparison foto of the CZ52 and the CZ45.

According to vestpocket collector Gerhard Schoenbauer of Austria, the CZ45 travels under at least 3 names in Europe, the "CZ Modell 45", the "CZ Model TEZET" and the "BRUNNER TEZET''. He also says they are as extremely common and sell for the equivalent of US$ 10 - 30.

Despite being fairly common, Schoenbauer says they are "Still interesting for history, as using DAO-trigger action already long before it got fashionable. There was an earlier Model 35, which got an safety-lever over the trigger, which would be some more scarce, but still cheap. A new 'CZ Model 92' is produced since 1992 by CZ, which is in fact the same pistol and pattern and is still in production.''

As to the general quality of Czech workmanship, he agrees "Czech pistols were always underestimated. They always were best quality, but less known."

Check out Gerhard's Vestpocket Pistols Collectors' page at this link.

The CZ50 (pictured at right) was designed immediately following World War II by brothers Jan and Jaroslav Kratchovil and intended as a military and police sidearm. Initially designated as the Model 006 during development, it was designated the Vzor 50 for its first-year production date after acceptance. It was widely used as a police Czech Police firearm, but it's military place was assigned to the more powerful CZ52.

It is a 7.65mm (.32cal) double-action semiautomatic pistol with a profile very similar to the Walther PP. The magazine holds 8 rounds. The pistol is approximately 6.7-inches long with a barrel length of approximately 3.75-inches. Overall empty weight is 24 ounces.

Again, for purposes of comparison, at left is a foto of the CZ50 and CZ52.

The CZ50 was actually produced from 1950-1970 with a brief break in production from 1952-1957. The Czeska Zbrojovka armory at Strakonice was the initial production site for the the CZ50. CZ ceased production of the CZ50 and began concentrating on production of the CZ52 for the military between 1952-1954. CZ - Strakonice ceased all production of pistols in 1955. Approximately 90,000 CZ50s were produced at Strakonice between 1950 and 1952 with serial numbers ranging from 650001 to about 740000. Interestingly, the first CZ50 (sn 650001) was numbered to succeed the last CZ27 (sn 650000).

In 1955, all production of pistols for the Czechs moved to the Presne Strojirenstvi factory at Uhersky Brod where CZ50 production restarted in 1957. It is unknown how many were produced by Presne Strojirenstvi after 1955, as there does not appear to have been a single coherent system of assigning serial numbers. Pistols produced by Presne Strojirenstvi will generally have a five digit numeric and alpha combination for the serial number. The placement of the alpha characters changes location within the serial number from time to time and no determination has been made as to what system was being used or how many post-1957 pistols were produced.

Early production CZ50s will have 6-digit serial numbers. They will also bear the manufacture marks CESKA ZBROJOVKA on the top line and a lower line of NAR. PODNIK STRAKONICE on the left slide (llustration at right). Later production Strakonice pistols may also be marked in a single line with CESKA ZBROJOVKA - PRAHA while post 1957s manufactured at Uhersky Brod will have a 5-digit serial numbers (possibly mixed alpha-numeric) and will be marked VZOR 50 CAL 7.65 and MADE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA on the left slide.

While the CZ50 was produced both for commercial and government use, pistols purchased by the Czech Ministry of the Interior will bear a crossed-sword proof mark and a two-digit number denoting the year of acceptance by the agency. The vast majority of early CZ50s went for Czech police use.

For further amusement and size comparison, the foto at right compares the CZ50 and the CZ45 vestpocket.

In 1970, several modifications (mainly cosmetic) were made to the CZ50 and it was redesignated as the CZ70 for strictly commercial sale. The rugged blue police pistol known as the CZ50 faded into history but lived on as the CZ70, available in several finishes. Other than various finishes, the modifications made to create the CZ70 were minor and a blued CZ70 is almost indistinguishable from a CZ50. The CZ50/70 line was ceased production in 1982 and was replaced by the CZ82. The 9mm Parabellum CZ82 actually served to replace the CZ50 in police use and the CZ52 in military use.

Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure to watch as the Czech pistols went from cheap curiosities to sought-after collector pieces with a fine shooting reputation. The refinished CZ52 for which I paid $89.00 U.S. in 1998 (including holster, cleaning rod and lanyard) is now distributor-priced at about $150.00 (Feb. 2004). That distributor price, of course, assumes one can find a distrib who has any in stock. Going gunshow rate for the CZ52s is in the $250 to $300 vicinity with excellent-condition grays commanding slightly more.

At present (Feb. 2004) I expect the CZ50s to begin climbing in price as well. The two major distributors who had been selling the CZ50 as an under-$100 collectible are now sold out. Expect these to crack the $100 to $125 price lines soon as they, too, move into second-market availability.

CZ52s and 50/70s are reportedly available in limited quantities from Czechoslavakia, but even those numbers are NOT legion.

I have not seen any CZ27s or CZ45s available available via the distributor channel in better than three years. Those few CZ27s that I have seen in the gun show-and-shop circuit have been in the $300 to $350 neighborhood by price. A recent auction (26 June 2000) saw two nice-looking Geman-occupation CZ27s sell at about $350 and $550 respectively. CZ45s, on the odd occasion that you find one, have run in the $250 neighborhood.

As long as we're checking out the Czechs, here's a wee tale about the VZ24 and the various other Czech Mausers. It is way too long to put it all on this page

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02/09/04