SOLD - Very Rare Czech vz. 22 Pistol - 9mm Nickl (15525 - 35384 - RJ)

Description

3/25/25 - The Czech vz.22 pistol was manufactured by Zbrojovka Brno (the Brno Weapons Factory) between 1920 and 1923. Though it was initially intended to be a production military pistol, it ultimately served as a mere prototype for the vz.24 which was manufactured by Ceska Zbrojovka (CZ). In October of 1918 Czechoslovakia declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and in 1919 took steps to establish an arms factory in Brno, which was initially staffed largely by Austrians and Hungarians because the Austrians had the requisite expertise in arms manufacture. The Prototype CZ-22 was notoriously unreliable and generally required individual tweaking with each pistol, which led to the full order of nearly 20,000 pistols largely being full of pistols that were quite dissimilar. This pistol is chambered in 9mm Nickl, which is like a rimless .380 ACP. There is a Czech Lion and 1923 date on frame / trigger guard. This one has several police unit markings "crossed-out" on the front strap and on the right side of the frame. Its original finish rates roughly 65% with obvious and honest wear throughout. Nice wood grip - it appears it was likely lacquered. Comes with two police-numbered magazines - neither is matching to the gun. Very nice bore with just very light pin-pricking throughout.