This series of rifles (Vz52 in 7.62x45) was developed by the Czechs in the late 40's just prior to total Communist control of the Govt. it was based on pre-war design work in Czechoslovakia & adopted in 1952 in 7.62x45. It is a semi-auto design w/10rd magazine & permanent side folding bayonet attachment. In 1956 total control was assumed by the Communists & in response to Soviet efforts to get all the ComBloc countries to adopt Soviet arms the Czechs instead chose to modify their own rifle, the Vz52 to use the Soviet M43 7.62x39 round which resulted in the Vz52/57. Examples of both are shown here, in addition there is a little known & extremely rare sniper variant of the VZ52/57 which used a Czech mfg copy of the Soviet NSP2 IR scope set. These rarely seen sniper variants are believed to have been used by Czech Border Guards.
Date(s): ALL NEW 11/29/10. Album by willyp. Photos by willyp. 1 - 24 of 119 Total. 355 Visits.
Vz52 "family" group Top to Bottom: Vz52 7.62x45 Vz52/57 7.62x39 Vz52/57 sniper 7.62x39
Left view of actions The rifles are in the same order as previous pic, note the top rifle (Vz52)has an angle at the front of the mag, the middle rifle (Vz52/57) has a "pin" thru the receiver & the sniper variant has a rail welded onto the rear of the receiver.
Left view of the group Same order as previous pics. Note also the sling on the bottom rifle (Vz52/57 sniper), it's a fabric sling w/a leather end tab w/metal button, this is the standard Czech military sling from about 1952 at least thru the Communist era, this sling was used on the Vz52 family, the Vz58, Vz58 & most Czech military shoulder arms throughout the period, these slings are usually well marked & easy to ID due to their individual style & the prominent Czech ppty markings of crossed swords.
Cleaning kit for buttstock. The cleaning gear for the Vz52 series is shown here, the components were stored in a trap in the rear of the buttstock on all the Vz52 series rifles.
Magazines 2 types of mags exist for these rifles, the early magazine for the Vz52 in 7.62x45 shown at top w/the angle in front & the later mag for the Vz52/57 in 7.62x39 shown here at the bottom.
mag followers Vz52 (7.62x45) on left, Vz52/57 (7.62x39) on right.
Mags floorplates Vz52 left, Vz52/57 right, note the slight difference in the front area of the floorplates.
Mags left side Top is the Vz52 (7.62x45), bottom is the Vz52/57 (7.62x39).
Magazine pouch The pouch shown here is a heavy pebbled leather, next to the pouch is a Vz52 mag. There are reportedly fabric version of this pouch & another leather variant that is smooth & similiar to the strap on the one shown here.
Mag pouch rear Here is a shot of the rear of the mag pouch, it has a single leather belt loop & a D ring for a support strap. This type pouch can be used w/either Vz52 or vz52/57 mags.
Mag pouch marking Most Czech military items from the Communist era can easily be id'd by their distinct markings, the crossed swords ink stamp here is the Czech property marking & is found on almost all czech military items from weapons to clothing, the 62 next to it is the date of mfg, Kozak may be a mfg's identity.
Mag pouch strap marking Another marking found on this pouch is the stamping shown here on the flap pouch.
Vz52 (7.62x45) right side The Vz52 (7.62x45) used a unique Czech round, the rifle shown here is a standard Vz52, mfg's code on this example is SHE, AYM is another (shown later), another maker RID is reported to have made these but I have only seen that marking on Cz52 pistols.
Vz52 w/bayonet extended Here is a view w/the bayonet extended, the latch is on the left side & the bayonet folds outwards until it latches in place. The bayonet shown is the tye utilized thoughout the Vz52, Vz52/57 series.
Buttstock, Vz52 Right side view of the Vz52 buttstock. All the Vz52 series rifles utilized the same stock style, the buttplate is actually a cap that comes completely off to gain acess to the cleaning gear stored in 2 recesses bored into the buttstock.
Vz52 buttplate retaining pin The pin here is fixed to the stock & fits into a hole in the buttplate, on the opposite end there is a depressable latch to remove the plate.
Vz52 buttplate latch Here is the latch that holds the top of the buttplate to the stock, also note the 2 round storage compartments in the rear of the stock for gear storage.
Vz52 series cleaning gear Here is a pic of the cleaning gear including a rather large oiler & with the buttplate removed. It's not uncommon to find vz52 rifles missing their buttplate.
Vz52 action Vz52, SHE mfg, 7.62x45, note the angle in front of the mag, also note the chamber area in front of the charge knob, it is smooth, on later models (Vz52/57 7.62x39)there was a pin thru this area. On this example also note the metal finish is a gray parkerizing, I believe this is the original metal finish on these rifles, a black type blued finish will also be found which I believe to be an indication of arsenal refinishing.
Vz52 trigger group Same trigger group was used on all the Vz52 series, th mag release is directly behind the mag & the safety is on the left similiar to the US Garand safety.
Handguard clip The C shaped clip here is the clip that holds the HG on, there is 1 on each side & they must be depressed to remove the handguard.
Vz52 forend The bayonet sits in a ground out area on the right side of the stock when folded, also note the handguard which is composed of a metal forward section with a metal frame that a wooden section fits into.
Vz52 muzzle With the bayonet folded closed the head of a "in" fits into a hole in the bayonet locking it closed. Also note the front sight hood which is another item commonly missing from vz52's in the US. The hood has a metal extension that sits in grooves on the muzzle cap locking the cap in place.
Vz52 bayonet extended Here the bayonet is extended & locked in the open position.
