From the ZKM to the CZ 452 Rifle

[FourBee]

       The Forum on these guns made me aware of different variations of the CZ .22, so I'm always interested in what others have to say about their's.   This is merely a general compilation of the dates, and reference to of what I've found.
   

In 1945, Czechoslovakian   weapons   Designer, Josef  Koucky, introduced his version of the .22 caliber Malorazka, (meaning rifle),  to an Arms Manufacturer named Zbrojovka Brno.      Together they introduced to the world a highly prized .22 caliber rifle, and named it the “ZKM 451", after their own names, i.e. ~ (Z)brojovka;   (K)oucky;   (M)alorazka;   451, The designated 3 number identification, (45) indicating the year production began, 1945, and (1), identifying it as the 1st version.

   Following in1964, Mr. Brno  introduced another version called the “ZKM 452"  which had a few modifications, mainly noticeable were the new ‘Tangent Sights’ adjustable out to 200 meters.

   Along about 1982, another modernization of the sights and stocks produced the sought after  ZKM  452  Model  2-E, which later began to trickle into the United States through Action Arms Ltd..

            Sometime after 1995, and prior to 2004, several variations,  a new ‘trigger mechanism”, and capped threaded barrel end,  birthed the   CZ  452-2E  ZKM.

   And as of 2004, two more versions have emerged, the CZ 453, with a heavy varmint barrel,  and the new ‘Single Set Trigger’ design, and the CZ 513 Farmer, which is a basic version of the CZ 452-2E ZKM.

[Brithunter]

Ok so where do the Model 1 and Model 2 fit in?

[FourBee]

Ok so where do the Model 1 and Model 2 fit in?

    That's a good question.    The two authors, along with the Chief Editor David Pazdera, who published this piece of info didn't think it was significant enough to mention.   General Manager of Ceska Zbrojovka  a.s.    Mr.   Lubomir Kovarik  didn't either.

[Brithunter]

Ahhh I see now  seeing as how CZ and Brno split he is ignoring a section of guns made when they were joined in making them  which debases anything he writes or has collaboration in writing. Notice the Z Brno marking. Hmmm I had always thought it had a stylised "C" in it but looking closely it has not. However the firms were linked at this time:-







The Model 2 dates from 1965, now note the marking on the ZKK 601 which dates for 1994:-



especially the dedicated scope mount!

[FourBee]

   This is a 1992  Model 2-E.   It has the  "C" you're talking about.

I had read that Mr. Brno had opened up the old BRNO plant, and is producing rifles and shotguns, but it didn't occur to me as to why he did that.

[Brithunter]

Thank you that is the mark I recall and did not notice until posting in this thread that the one on the Mod 2was slightly more ornate. Wonder why they did that? The 601 has the later pin dot style markings which are not as neat of course but are cheaper to do.

[FourBee]

Brit;
   The Model 2 appears to have a better metal finish than does the 2-E.

   Thanks for showing the 'Date Stamp'.   I didn't know what that mark was for.   My paperwork shows my 2-E was completed on May 15,1992, but the 'Date Stamp' shows it had to be initiated in '1991'.

[Brithunter]

The date is part of the Czech proof and it's probable that the rifles are submitted to proof in the White. Before finish that is as why bother to apply final finish in case it fails proof.

[FourBee]

    I gotcha.    That would make a reasonable explanation.
By the way, just out of curiosity, what caliber is the 601 you're showing?

[Brithunter]

Hi There,

     The ZKK 601 is a .308 and is the Std version as I prefer the stock style rather than deluxe. I had trouble finding one for a while partly my fault as I should have asked at my local shop. when i did finally ask them this is what they brought down from upstairs  stupid me had only looked on the racks. When he pulled it out of the box I saw the tiger striped wood and said Mine!. Now I don't know if it's true but the serial number is 60194. I was told that Brno made a special run with selected wood and this is supposed be #94 of that run. Apart from the owner of the gunshop where I got it from I have never seen or heard anything about it so as I say how true it is I just don't know. It does make remembering the serial number easy though!





I later picked up the Zeiss Jena 4x scope for it as seen in the 2nd photo. Oh I also made the barrel band for teh sling as the factory position put it right where my left had goes.