CZ

CZECH CZ 38 PISTOL WITH HOLSTER This item a seldom seen Czech made double action only, .380 ACP CZ 38 pistol in good condition with some dings and wear on the finish. Also includes a nice crisp holster. The CZ 38, also known as vz. 38 and P39(t), is a Semi-automatic pistol designed by František Myška and manufactured from 1939 until 1945. The barrel is attached to the frame by a hinge, allowing for very easy disassembly. CZ 38 is a very well built pistol with many great innovations. The frame slide and barrel have the Czechoslovak Military proof. Pushing the grooved latch below the factory marking forward allows the barrel and slide to pivot upward for disassembly. The pivot pin, unusually, is below the muzzle. This Czechoslovak Army contract CZ 38 pistol has the circled CZ, trademark of the Česká Zbrojovka factory, and Czechoslovak Military acceptance mark (E7 lion 39). E is the mark of the Ordnance Technical office, 7 is the location number of office (7 was at Česká Zbrojovka Factory in Strakonice), 39 was the year of acceptance. On June 14, 1938, the Ministry of Defense ordered from the Česká Zbrojovka 41,000 vz. 38 pistols with serial numbers ranging from 250,000 to 291,000 (our pistol’s serial number is 287,674). In March, 1939 Germany occupied all of Czechoslovakia. Nazis allowed for the military contract to be completed, but the pistols would be issued to German units already armed with Czechoslovak weapons (most of the pistols saw service in Greater German police and security forces). The Czechoslovak Military never did receive any of their new vz. 38 pistols. Approximately 45,000 CZ 38 pistols were manufactured in total. The vz. 38 was designated by the Germans as P39(t), Pistole 39 Tschechoslowakei (the German spelling for Czechoslovakia). A German secret Military equipment list dated January 7, 1943, identifies the CZ 38 pistol as Military Equipment Number 2002. The serial number range is from 250,000 to 290,999 (our pistol’s serial number is 287,674). A hard-shell holster was issued to most of the P39(t) pistols. Some pistols (including ours), were issued a soft type German-made holster.