CZ

We have a very hard-to-find early Czech CZ 22 pistol or CZ Model 1922 (vz. 22) manufactured by Zbrojovka Brno (The Brno Arms Factory) in 97% (?) original, very crisp condition. If you collect Czech pistols, note that this CZ 22 is one of the very first Czech pistols ever manufactured (SN 1818)! The CZ 22 was the first Czechoslovak Army pistol of the inter-war period. The pistol is the rare 9 mm Nickel caliber (caliber .380 ACP, known in Europe as the 9 mm Browning short). Also known as the “Nickel” or “N” pistol, CZ 22 was designed by Josef Nickl (also Joseph Nickel), who was employed at the famous Mauser Factory in Germany. Using the Mauser pistol, known variously as model 1910 or 1914 as a basis, he modified it to his own design. Brno manufactured only some 18,000 of the original Army Pistol Model 1922 before more modifications were ordered and production shifted to Česka Zbrojovka (CZ) works at Prague and Strakonitz. Fewer than 22,000 CZ 22 pistols had been made. CZ 22 served as a prototype for the CZ 24. The left side of the pistol displays the factory marking on the trigger plate, “Čs. st. zbrojovka, Brno.”, which translates to Czechoslovak State Arms Factory in Brno; the early 1920’s Czechoslovak Army acceptance mark (“S”, rampant lion, “6”) on the lower right of the trigger guard; and the “ČET” mark on the upper left of the trigger guard, which means Gendarmerie (Četnictvo in Czech). The right side of the pistol displays the army acceptance mark (“v.”) on the upper right of the trigger guard. Army unit marks (“32P 868” – the 32nd Infantry Regiment weapon 868) are displayed on the front of the grip strap. Czech pistols are widely collected these days and this is a great example of one of the hard to find key pieces. We only get one of these pistols every couple of years so if you need one, consider the rarity of the pistol. The pistol is housed in an original brown leather flap holster.