Looking for information/history of a CZ Vz24 pistol

[new_pistol_guy]

I just picked-up a CZ Vz24 pistol. I know that it was made in 1930 and that it was a Czech army pistol, due to the markings on the frame. I am looking for the history of the CZ Vz24 pistol in general. Also, I am not that familiar with older guns in this time frame, would this be a gun I could shoot with current .380 ammunition on the market? Lastly, does anyone know where I might be able to get extra parts, such as grips and magazines?

 

[FEG]

The vz-24 (unlike the visually similar vz-27 in .32 ACP) has a locked action. Modern .380 ACP (9mm Browning Short, etc.) will work fine.

History of CZ Handgun Production:
http://www.czforumsite.info/index.php?topic=16482.0

CZ C&R Page:
http://www.czforumsite.info/index.php?board=19.0


Brownell's used to have some vz-24 parts. Internet searches are really frustrating for this model, because you can't avoid all the false hits from the vz-24 Czech Mauser.

 

[new_pistol_guy]

Thanks FEG. The history was exactly what I was looking for. When I was looking at the history, does the Vz26 look like the Vz24? If it does how would I tell if it is a 26 or 24? I have been assuming that I have a 24 because of pictures and some markings. I have never seen a picture of the 26. Is there a definate way to tell if I have a vz24? The reason I ask is because I believe that the barrel rotates which could indicate that it might be a 26. I know that it is probably not, but worth the investigation.

 

[FEG]

I've never even seen a photo of a vz-26. They are truly quite rare. I don't know much about them, except all vz-26s should have the marking "Ceská Zbrojovka v Praze," since they were made at the Prague plant.

It sounds like you may have a vz-26, though. My understanding is that the vz-24 has a more or less conventional Browning system.

 

[Jim K]

The Vz 24 pistol is a modification of the earlier Vz 22. Like that gun, it is a rotating barrel locked breech, and is in 9mm Browning Short (.380 ACP). The two guns are similar, but the Vz 22 has a gap between the rear of the trigger and the frame while the Vz 24 trigger fits into the frame. Vz 22's are uncommon, only about 18,000 having been made. VZ 24's and the later Vz 27 in 7.65mm were used by the Czech army and the German forces and were common war souvenirs. (The Germans used very few pistols in 9mm Short as the cartridge was not in their supply system.)

There is little on the Vz 26 (other than the LMG of that designation); most books don't mention it at all and it may have been experimental or of very limited production.

Jim

 

[new_pistol_guy]

Thanks again FEG and Jim. I was hoping it was a Vz26, but I think that it is a 24. I have read, and Jim helped to confirm, that the 24 also had a rotating barrel. I believe my gun to be a 24 because it has a common Czech Army acceptance stamp and routing numbers. If the 26 is as rare as they say then it probably would not have had a common army acceptance marks or numbers.

 

[FEG]

Thanks, Jim. I learn something new everyday. Ian Hogg's Military Arms of the 20th Century made it sound like the v-26 was unusual in that it had a rotating locking system. Re-reading the entry, I think he means that the system is just different than that used on the v-22/24.

 

[new_pistol_guy]

Well, having determined that my gun was a vz24, or so I thought. I decided to shot my vintage .380 last night. Wrong, the .380 cartridge was to big. I measured and believe it is chambered for the .32 acp. I believe the barrel has not been changed, it has a military acceptance stamp on it and it does not look like any of the barrels I have seen for the vz27. However, I can not find in any of my resources that show that the vz24 was ever chambered for the .32 acp. FEG or Jim do either one of you know if the 24 was ever chambered in a .32 acp? I know the 27 was, but I do not think that a 27 barrel will work in 24.

 

[FEG]

At this point, I think I need to see some pictures of the proofmarks. You can PM me if you want. The Curio and Relic section of CZF is a great resource; many of the members are more knowledgable than I.