Czech mated!

Gunslinger

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Going though the safe and fine tuning the collection I've come to realize, by pure coincidence, a predominance of Czech rifles when it comes to hunting guns. There's something appealing about blued steel and wood, they exude class and style, a timeless character that seems lacking in the painted/stainless/synthetic guns. I have some of the more modern wonders too, and they perform exceedingly well, but they're just tools seemingly devoid of any personality. I wonder too why the Czech guns of yesteryear and even those of today seem to do it so well. Perhaps the slight European flavor, the 100% steel parts, decent wood, and all together old world craftsmanship that speaks to the individual time taken on each one, something we see far less of today. With the push towards cheap plastic fantastic's like the Ruger American (rather fitting considering the current trajectory of the country) I thought it important to pay homage to some of the older class of guns with the hope that future generations can appreciate and hopefully demand more lest they end up being supplied with far inferior tools.

Top to bottom:
Brno ZG47 in 9.3x62, possibly the high point in Mauser 98 design, with a new stock (split tang, notched "kills") it'll be the perfect rifle to handle just about anything anywhere!
Brno 21H in 7x57, nice slender for end reminiscent of Rigby guns, I don't care much for the butter knife bolt handle but that can be changed, pics don't show it but the wood is really nice too.
Brno ZKM611 in .22Mag, as odd as it may look it has to be handled to be appreciated, take down too, I'm lucky enough to have found two of them but they aren't cheap anymore.
CZ527 Carbine in .223, hard to find the carbine in .223, waited two years for it, nice small Mauser style action, perfect practice rifle or for those working their way up the center fire ladder.

I just noticed all of them have iron sights, something too lacking for the most part on more modern guns, unfortunately. Classic guns in classic chambering's that still do a fine job even when put up against the more modern wonders generating more fire and fuss! :)

 
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What a nice collection, they cover a broad spectrum of hunting possibilities as well! I have always been partial to wood and blued steel myself, in fact I do not own a rifle with a stainless barrel, or a synthetic stock. I recently picked up a CZ .223 american and am becoming acquainted with it. I really like the the quality and finnish of the metal (for a 'new' gun) but am not so hot on the wood; it is rather roughly fitted and the lazer? cut checkering leaves me cool. I suspect an older CZ or BRNO would be an improvement in that department. I rather like your 7x57, that is a trim looking rifle.
 
That Brno is a tramp with the butter knife bolt handle.
Real awkward to use.
Junk, but send her my way.

They look pretty but are as impractical as all hell, trigger is a bastard too. Just like Czech girls some can be a little rough, once you straighten them out though they are the envy of men, she has the same ###y lines just needs a little refinement! :)
 
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Nice collection you have there...
The ZG47 may well be the sturdiest post M/98 derivative, a tad on the heavy side, but so strong.
If ever you swap the stock, do yourself a favour and keep the original one for the future, as the ZG47 (like most Brno rifles) is pretty collectible espsecially in not-so-common calibers.
 
I bought a CZ 527 LUX in .222 awhile back. I am "smitten". I am now looking for a CZ 550 LUX in .270 (or maybe 6.6X55). Then I may just sell off a bunch of big game rifles that will not be seeing the light of day anymore.

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That's a great collection! I love the early Czech stuff and have a few nice ones myself. The ZG-47's are highly collectible and really a beautiful version of the M98.

Congrats!
 
:sok2:rockOn: That 9.3 would look soooooo good sitting next to my ZG-47 in 30-06 in the safe...;) I joke, sorta. But if you ever sold that one i'm quite certain there would be a lot of us lining up to buy it. That gun would bring in top dollar prices, guaranteed. :cheers:
 
The ZG47 in 9.3x62 has been my holy grail for many years and finally this year a CGN member from whom I had previously bought a ZG47 in 30-06 decided to part with his. I don't see myself ever selling it, they're just too hard to come by in that chambering and too special in my mind. Same goes for the 21H which I just recently got and the ZKM611's. My collection has slowly with patience been rotating into a smaller collection of guns I've wanted for a long time, heirloom pieces I appreciate and aren't easily found. They will be used and have stories to tell, then passed on to those who will appreciate them and to make their own adventures with. I just found it curious that the Czech's made such a strong showing. :)
 
Well I finally got around to taking a group pic of my vintage Czechs. (sorry the one is a blurry piece of junk). I have some modern ones as well but they don't really fit in this thread so I left them out. Any way the top one is a 1961 ZG-47 in 8x64 Brenneke. Beautiful rifle and shoots well. I've yet to take it hunting but one of these days if its nice out I will take it for a walk in the woods.

Second from the top is a 1979 Brno ZKK 600 in 7x57. It's like a 95% gun except for the original recoil pad that basically rotted right off of it. I removed what was left but haven't got around to installing a replacement. Unfortunately that's going to take away from the originality of the rifle but its still a nice gun. I haven't even shot this one but I will.

Third is not so vintage but still of the old ZKK design. 1987 ZKK 601 in .308. I found a NOS scope mount and a fellow CGN'er was kind enough to sell me the proper Carl Zeiss Jena scope made specifically for the ZKK mounts. Hard to find stuff. It needs a new recoil pad installed on it as well. I haven't hunted with this one yet either but it does shoot good at the range.
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Nice collection! A 601 in .308 has been on my bucket list, preferably with the pop up peep but they command a hefty price and are hard to come by. Came close to trading for one but the deal fell through, someday....... The mount with the Jena is pure class. That's a real basic do what you need gun! Still think the ZG47 oozes perfection though.
 
Thanks!

I really like the ZKK series but you're right, there is no comparison to the ZG47's. The ZG47 is definitely one of the best M98's ever made.
 
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