If you could choose: Brno Z, ZG 47, ZKK or Cz 550??

So, it is a 21. It is a half-stock rifle so I think that means it's a 21h?

Also, any idea what approximate year it would be?

SteveMKentucky said:

So, it is a 21. It is a half-stock rifle so I think that means it's a 21h?

Also, any idea what approximate year it would be?

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If it has 60cm (23.6") barrel and half stock, then it is 21H. If it has shorter barrel, then 22H but those are rare. Looks like the bolt handle has been modified for lower scope mount and receiver drilled and tapped. But it still should be a very nice rifle to shoot.

The barrel seems to measure out to 20.5 inches (52 cm) with a half stock. So I guess that makes it a 22H.

then you have one of few made. The carbines imported to NA usually had full stock. Then again, people have been swapping stocks on these for ages. Or yours got a barrel from one.

Interesting. Thanks for the replies. I would think if it originally had a full stock it would not have had this type of barrel-band sling swivel though.

The full stock ones have barrel band there also. The swivel is on the stock, but the bolt goes through the barrel band. Your front sight also does not look original, so maybe it is original half stock with barrel shortened. I would not worry much about the details unless you wanted a real 100% original. It is a beautiful rifle.

Brno Model 21, if it originally had a half stock. Brno Model 22, if it had a full stock. There are no H or F suffixes.

Great looking rifle. Enjoy it.

The model designation is confusing as there never really was one except by US importers I guess. But there are 4 versions. carbine and rifle and full and half-stock. Typically 21 refers to rifle and 22 to carbine. H and F to Half and Full stocks. I have seen factory Half stock rifles and I have seen Full stock rifles and carbines. I know Half stock carbines exist but are not common. I have even seen ZG47 30-06 in carbine...not many of those either.

Milan said:

If it has 60cm (23.6") barrel and half stock, then it is 21H. If it has shorter barrel, then 22H but those are rare. Looks like the bolt handle has been modified for lower scope mount and receiver drilled and tapped. But it still should be a very nice rifle to shoot.

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Not that I doubt your comment but why do you think the bolt handle has been modified? I've seen many pictures of BRNOs with the same bolt handle and see no modification of the profile. I thought that perhaps the top of the bolt was filed but it fits perfectly in the stop in the bolt sleeve. It also seems that shortening that part of the bolt handle would also make the handle open ever higher. Can you comment further on this?

Also, any idea what year this rifle would be?

SteveMKentucky said:

Not that I doubt your comment but why do you think the bolt handle has been modified? I've seen many pictures of BRNOs with the same bolt handle and see no modification of the profile. I thought that perhaps the top of the bolt was filed but it fits perfectly in the stop in the bolt sleeve. It also seems that shortening that part of the bolt handle would also make the handle open ever higher. Can you comment further on this?

Also, any idea what year this rifle would be?

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I don't mind being doubted. I'm far from all-knowing...The stock bolt handle has same shape but it bends around the stock and receiver should not have a notch in it. No notch on stock stocks either. This one looks cut and welded back on to give it better clearance for scope, stock cleared for the handle. The front sight also looks nothing like original which had straight slope on the ramp, ramp had ridges across it to cut down glare, wider grooves for the removable sight hood and the whole thing was actually on a barrel band soldered to the end of the barrel (this fact I still have to verify but firmly believe so) and much closer to the end of it. This is what makes me think the barrel was either cut and front sight replaced or it may have been re-barreled. Rifles were made from 45 to early fifties but I forget exact dates as I do not care about that stuff much. Stock barrel has again what looks like soldered band for the rear sight on it (so well made it looks like part of barrel profile and maybe it is) and couple of steps on it in chamber area. It should have the year and 7.0 (if 7x57) or 7.9 (if one of the 8mms) or whatever bore diameter on the left side of chamber, the actual caliber 7x57, 8x57 or 8x60 or whatever on top of chamber. If you show me more pics, I may be able to tell more but it looks like you have the latest iteration of 21/22 with the square bridges receiver with bolt guide and no stripper clip notch. A very cool receiver and stock to build a nice, light rifle with. Barrels be damned. They are somewhat expendable.

Thank you Milan. I now see what you were saying about the bolt. I never noticed that the original rifles had no notch. Clearly the bolt has been responsitioned and welded. The barrel length is still a bit of a mystery but it's clear that the front sight has been changed implying that the barrel was shortened. This rifle came from the Bowling Green Kentucky area. There were a couple of exceptional gunsmiths/machinists in the area back in the 60's and 70's who could have done this.

Altogether though I still love this rifle. It is exceptionally light. With the short barrel it reminds me of the Remington 7 in its handling.

When you mentioned the year I recalled that there was a two-digit number next to the proof mark. I wonder if the 50 was the year of manufacture?

Thank you for your comments and info.

cool pics. So you have original 1950 8mm rifle that has been modified to be better (allowing low scope mount and having shorter barrel, stock most likely refinished - I like the dark color). The barrel has been shortened and new front and rear sights installed. They added folding rear probably to accommodate the scope. I usually install mine just a hair behind the original sight without any interference but they have to sit higher due to the bolt. On yours it does not. Very nice find.

Dewald said:

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This is what that bolt handle should look like (top picture). Any other is a non-factory modification.

I have owned and own many M98 copies and clones. FN 98 actions with the solid left rail are among my favorites and for size the ZKK 602 with pop up peep is a beast, but there is no doubt that the ZG 47 Galas is my favorite. This one is 65 years old, all matching numbers and will hold sub one inch groups. We did some work on the stock, but other than that she is original.

TokkieM said:

I have owned and own many M98 copies and clones. FN 98 actions with the solid left rail are among my favorites and for size the ZKK 602 with pop up peep is a beast, but there is no doubt that the ZG 47 Galas is my favorite. This one is 65 years old, all matching numbers and will hold sub one inch groups. We did some work on the stock, but other than that she is original.


View attachment 324771 View attachment 324485

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very nice!

TokkieM said:

I have owned and own many M98 copies and clones. FN 98 actions with the solid left rail are among my favorites and for size the ZKK 602 with pop up peep is a beast, but there is no doubt that the ZG 47 Galas is my favorite. This one is 65 years old, all matching numbers and will hold sub one inch groups. We did some work on the stock, but other than that she is original.

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Great picture. The Puma White Hunter is a nice touch.

BRNO ZKK 600 bolt rifle , chambered in 7×57 mm Mauser . Preferably pre 1975 with folding diopter and straight stock .
My good friend and fellow forum member @Kawshik Rahman owns 1 and l have had the luxury to try it out recently. It truly is a gem to fire.

@SteveMKentucky Just noticed: "So you have original 1950 8 mm".... I meant 7 mm as your barrel seems to show 7.0 (unless that's a badly punched 7.9)...anyway I hope you knew what I meant...

Milan said:

@SteveMKentucky Just noticed: "So you have original 1950 8 mm".... I meant 7 mm as your barrel seems to show 7.0 (unless that's a badly punched 7.9)...anyway I hope you knew what I meant...

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Yes. I understood. It is indeed a 7X57 though.

I took it out to the range yesterday to test fire it at 100 yd. The first two shots weren't even on paper. I pulled the bolt and bore sighted it on the target then checked the sights. The sights were pointing at a place in space approx 6' over the target meaning I was shooting under the target frame. Apparently the front sight is way too high for the height of the rear sight.

I flipped up the express sight and lowered the sight blade to its lowest position. This time I was on paper but about 6" above the center. It holds center with a 6 o'clock hold on a 25 yd. pistol target at 100 yd.

I will be mounting a scope, probably with a 20mm objective, for use on this rifle.

Cool. The front sights such as you have I too find a bot tall on even other rifles in other calibers. Have one on a .375 Whitworth and it shoots way low. Will be lowering the front rather than making the rear taller. 6 o'clock aim on that atrget of yours for center at 100 m sounds about perfect to me. Just out of curiosity...Does the barrel have the factory stamp 7x57 on top near the receiver?