Brno model 21/22, Serial Number and Date Analysis, HELP build it together !

[The Kurgan]

If you own a Brno model 21/22 (H or F), please feel free to chime-in with your serial number, date of manufacture, whether it's round top or DSB, and any unusual FACTORY features such as...

--> military style charger guide (pre-war and early post-war round top actions)
--> without bolt guide rail
--> without bolt guide rib (surplus Kriegsmodell bolt body)
--> pre-WWII bolt bolt body
--> surplus WWII bolt body.
--> single (-set) trigger, factory option (1948-1954)
--> ZG-47 type trigger, factory option (1955-1956)
--> ZG-47 type shroud/safety assembly, factory option (1954-1956)
--> ZG-47 type bolt body, factory option (1955-1956)
--> ZG-47 complete bolt assembly, factory option (1956 only)
… ETC.

This will help us to better understand our superb rifles.

Date | Serial Number | Receiver | Model | Calibre where known | Notes (uncommon, unusual factory features)

1936, 3701, round, "22F", 8x57, with bolt guide rib, charger guide, claw mounts, early-type rear sight

1942, 2967, round, 22F, 7x57, with bolt guide rib, charger guide, claw mounts
1942, 3166, round, 22F, 8x57, with bolt guide rib, charger guide

1943, 3728, round, 22F, 7x57
1943, 4289, round, 22F, 8x57
1943, 47xx, round, 22H, 7x57

1945, 6033, round, 22F, 8x57, with bolt guide rib

1946, 8033, round, 21F, 7x57
1946, 8259, round, 21F, 7x57
1946, 9364, round, 22F, 7x57
1946, 9913, round, 22F, 6.5x57
1946, 10250, round, 21H, 6.5x57
1946, 107##, round, 22F, 8x57, without bolt guide rib, surplus Kriegsmodell bolt body
1946, 10850, round, 22F, 8x57
1946, 11028, round, 21H, cal?
1946, 12154, round, 21F, 8x60, without bolt guide rib, charger guide, claw mounts and original Optiko Techna 4x scope
1946, 12644, round, 22F, 7x57, claw mounts
1946, 12665, round, 22F, 7x57, claw mounts

1947, 13319, round, 22F, 7x57, claw mounts and original Optiko Techna 4x scope
1947, 13369, round, 22F, 7x57, claw mounts
1947, 13487, round, 21H, 7x64
1947, 13514, round, 21H, 7x57
1947, 13522, round, 22F, 8x57
1947, 13614, round, 22H, 8x57
1947, 13827, round, 22H, 7x57
1947, 14490, round, 22F, cal?, without bolt guide rib
1947, 14760, round, 21H, *270 Win, without bolt guide rib. Ralf Martini custom
1947, 14792, round, 22F, 6.5x57
1947, 15249, round, 22H, 6.5x57
1947, 15271, round, 22F, 6.5x57
1947, 15811, round, 21F, 7x64
1947, 16986, round, 21H, 6.5x57
1947, 17236, round, 22H, 6.5x57

1948, 18734, round, 22F, 7x57
1948, 18846, round, 22F, 8x57, without bolt guide rib, without bolt guide rail
1948, 19091, round, 22F, 8x57, without bolt guide rib, single trigger
1948, 19774, round, 21H, 8x57
1948, 19794, round, 21F, 8x57
1948, 19813, round, 22F, 8x57
1948, 20881, round, 22F, 8x57
1948, 21529, round, 22H, 6.5x57, without bolt guide rib
1948, 22095, round, 22F, 7x57
1948, 22148, round, 22F, 7x57
1948, 22308, round, 21H, 6.5x57, without bolt guide rib, surplus Kriegsmodell bolt body

1949, 230xx, round, 21H, 8x57, without bolt guide rib
1949, 23224, round, 21H, cal?
1949, 23649, DSB, 21H, cal?
1949, 23664, round, 22H, 7x57, single-set trigger
1949, 23693, round, 22H, 7x57
1949, 23858, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1949, 23883, DSB, 22H, 8x57
1949, 23936, round, 22F, 8x57
1949, 24###, round, 22F, cal?, claw mounts
1949, 24001, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1949, 24089, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1949, 2414x, DSB, 22H, 7x57
1949, 24268, DSB, 22H, 7x57
1949, 24292, DSB, 22F, 7x57
1949, 24410, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1949, 24500, round, 22F, 7x57
1949, 24648, DSB, 21H, 8x60
1949, 24721, DSB, 22H, 7x57
1949, 24956, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1949, 24980, DSB, 21H, cal?
1949, 25765, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1949, 25767, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1949, 25954, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1949, 2610x, DSB, 22F, 7x57
1949, 26278, DSB, 22F, 7x57, round bolt handle
1949, 2651x, DSB, 22F, 7x57
1949, 27151, DSB, 21H, 8x57, claw mounts and original Meopta 3x scope
1949, 27359, round, 22F, 8x60
1949, 28332, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1949, 28373, DSB, 21H, 8x60

1950, 28717, DSB, 22F, 8x57 (serial number anomaly, 1949?)

1950, 29351, DSB, 21H, cal?
1950, 29364, DSB, 21H, 6.5x57
1950, 29396, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 29429, DSB, 21H, 7x57, single trigger
1950, 2944x, DSB, 21H, 7x64
1950, 29669, DSB, 22H, cal?, single trigger
1950, 29737, DSB, 22H, 7x57, single-set trigger
1950, 29851, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1950, 30105, DSB, 21F, 8x60
1950, 305xx, DSB, 21H, 7x64
1950, 30634, DSB, 21H, 7x64, single trigger
1950, 30860, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 31002, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 31005, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 31043, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 31317, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 31349, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 3142x, DSB, 21H, 7x57, single trigger
1950, 31479, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 31487, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 31528, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 31648, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1950, 31974, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1950, 32201, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 32217, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 32564, DSB, 21H, 7x57, single trigger
1950, 3270x, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1950, 32727, DSB, 21H, 8x57, single trigger
1950, 32804, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 33047, DSB, 22H, 8x57
1950, 33107, DSB, 21H, 7x57, single trigger
1950, 33150, DSB, 21H, 7x57, claw mounts and original Meopta 3x scope
1950, 33161, DSB, 21H, 7x57, claw mounts and original Meopta 3x scope
1950, 33163, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 33165, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1950, 332xx, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1950, 33205, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 33266, DSB, 21H, 8x57, single trigger
1950, 33279, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1950, 33424, DSB, 22H, 7x64
1950, 33520, DSB, 22H, 8x57
1950, 33893, DSB, 21H, 8X57
1950, 3414x, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1950, 34242, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1950, 34244, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1950, 34473, DSB, 21H, 8x60
1950, 34481, DSB, 21H, cal?
1950, 34578, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 34875, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 34897, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 349xx, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1950, 34916, DSB, 21H, 7x57

1951, 35###, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1951, 35026, DSB, 21F, 8x57 (barrel stamped 50)
1951, 35452, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1951, 35464, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1951, 35573, DSB, 22H, 7x57

1951, 381##, DSB, 21H, 8x57, single trigger (serial number anomaly, 1954?)

1952, 36241, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1952, 36533, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1952, 36598, DSB, 22F, 8x57, claw mounts
1952, 36603, DSB, 22F, 8x57, single-set trigger
1952, 36732, DSB, 22F, 8x57
1952, 3692x, DSB, 21H, 8x57

1953, 37243, DSB, 21H, 8x60
1953, 37547, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1953, 37856, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1953, 37928, DSB, 21H, 7x57, claw mounts and original Meopta 4x scope
1953, 37950, DSB, 21H, 7x57

1954, 38136, DSB, 22F, 8x57, ZG-47 safety only
1954, 38580, DSB, 22H, 7x57
1954, 38747, DSB, 21H, 8x60
1954, 38990, DSB, 21H, 8x57

1955, 36996, DSB, 21H, 7x57, single trigger (serial number anomaly, 1952? Very likely assembled from the parts bin.)

1955, 40208, DSB, 21H, 8x57
1955, 40316, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1955, 40530, DSB, 21H, 7x57, ZG-47 bolt body only
1955, 40544, DSB, 21H, 7x57
1955, 40637, DSB, 21H, 7x57, ZG-47 bolt body only

1956, 41271, DSB, 21H, 8x57, ZG-47 bolt body only
1956, 41650, DSB, 21H, 8x57, ZG-47 bolt body only

***

Note: the "21" models have a 23.5 inch rifle barrel and the "22" models have a 20.5 inch carbine barrel. "H" and "F" simply denote "half" or "full" stock.

The "21" and "22" model codes, along with the associated "H" and "F" model codes are simply American nomenclature. The factory actually referred to them as "Z" rifles (as marked on top of the receiver) which came in different configurations as shown in the list above.

Great thread on the Brno 21/22...
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1867622-Brno-21H-enthusiast-club

 

[The Kurgan]

The Otakar Galas design (ZG-47) was in production starting in 1950. This would lead me to believe that post-1950 Brno 21/22 rifles were assembled largely from a parts inventory, with ZG-47 features (safety, trigger, bolt body, etc.) showing up as early as 1954. This would also explain why 1950 was a common year for the model 21, with progressively less examples from 1951 to 1956. Again, 1955 and 1956 models appear to be transitional.

Note, that the double square bridge (DSB) was also likely a Galas design.

 

[The Kurgan]

Serial list is starting to take shape and tells a story. Keep the serials coming gents. No 1948's? I wonder if the unicorn with the round bolt handle + ZG-47 safety pops up? Strangely, only 8x57 and 7x57 so far.

 

[The Kurgan]

... mine:

View attachment 369360
View attachment 369365
View attachment 369366
View attachment 369367

 

[The Kurgan]

I will be maintaining a separate Excel in case anybody wishes to have the data.

 

[The Kurgan]

I hit pay dirt thanks to past research from a CGN'er. The serial list will triple in size. We will get a much clearer picture of years, model variations and options. It will take me some time to update.

EDIT: Updated !

 

[The Kurgan]

Updated. Note: if your rifle is not listed, or if there's an error, please PM me. Thanks.

 

[Beaver Skin]

You've listed the ZG47 as a 3 pos. safety. If the safety is a ZG47 version, its only a 2 pos.

 

[The Kurgan]

My bad. Fixed

 

[The Kurgan]

Calibre Summary:

6.5x57: 10
7x57: 71
7x64: 6
8x57: 50
8x60: 8
Unknown: 10
Total: 155

 

[The Kurgan]

Model Count

21F: 7
21H: 92
22F: 38
22H: 18
Total: 155

 

[The Kurgan]

Action-type Count

DSB: 104
Round: 51
Total: 155

 

[The Kurgan]

Year Count

1942: 2
1943: 3
1945: 1
1946: 11
1947: 15
1948: 11
1949: 30
1950: 52
1951: 6
1952: 6
1953: 5
1954: 4
1955: 7
1956: 2
Total: 155

 

[The Kurgan]

As the list grows, I will update with more sophisticated analytics.

 

[The Kurgan]

Here's two examples:

Model | DSB | Round
21F..... 2 ..... 5
21H..... 82 ..... 10
22F..... 10 ..... 28
22H..... 10 ..... 8
Totals..... 104 ..... 51

Calibre | 21F | 21H | 22F | 22H
6.5x57..... 0 ..... 4 ..... 3 ..... 3
7x57..... 2 ..... 44 ..... 15 ..... 10
7x64..... 1 ..... 4 ..... 0 .....1
8x57..... 2 ..... 28 ..... 17 ..... 3
8x60..... 2 ..... 5 ..... 1 ..... 0
Unknown..... 0 ..... 7 .... 2 ..... 1
Totals..... 7 ..... 92 ..... 38 ..... 18

 

[Longwalker]

pm sent with my 4.

 

[The Kurgan]

pm sent with my 4.

3 of 4 added. Need serial number. Thanks for your contribution.

 

[The Kurgan]

Earliest one yet, a 1942.

 

[The Kurgan]

Serial patterns indicate the following production numbers, post-war:

1946, 5000 units
1947, 5000 units
1948, 5000 units
1949, 6000 units
1950, 6000 units (large importation to Canada)
1951, 1000 units
1952, 1000 units
1953, 1000 units
1954, 1000 units
1955, 1000 units
1956, under 500 units

Pre-war/Inter-war: approx 8000 units

 

[The Kurgan]

From CGN'er Baribal:

"Just to help you with your sticky;

The Brno "21/22" rifles were made from 1937 to 1940, then scarcely until the production resumed at full speed in 1946, 'til 1950 then, only a few rifles were made after they started the ZG47 production.

The calibers were;

6.5X57
7X57
7X64
8X57
8X60S
and 9X57

I have seen other calibers, a 9.3X62 in particular.

The round receivers were replaced by the square tops around 1948.

The early ones were marked "WAFFENWEREK BRUNN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT"

The first commercial rifles made by Brunn / Brno in the early '30s were called Model "A" for the halfstock and Model "B" for the fullstock version. The bolt handles were turned down for most long rifles (majority of the production), but carbines have spatulated handles (most) and double-set triggers were mostly installed - the triggerguard was finely worked. The calibers were 7X57, 8X57 and 8X60S."