I looked at a rifle today that was tagged as a Brno ZG47 in 8x57. Nice rifle, but I have some questions that I hope someone can answer. I compare this gun to the 21H/22F models, but as a lg ring.
The safety is the most intriguing thing to me. It is a wing variant like the 21's, same placment but much smaller. As the rifle was not cocked and the bolt wire-tied down, I couldn't use it to see if it was a single, 2 or 3 stage safety...any clues? Anyone have a picture they can post of the safety on a 47?
The bolt was angled straight down like some of the commercial Obendorf Mausers and round ball. Double sq bridge receiver and a cut out for loading with a stripper....sound correct for a 47..?
I think I'll go look at it again and dog the owner for some answers...cut the tie off and check the bore...etc...
I guess I'm trying to find out if it's really a ZG47 or if it's mismarked or what... Thanks for any help.

Fla3006,
Excellent. Thankyou. The safety is very different on your peice. The example I'm looking at is a wing mount on the left side and very small. It works verticaly.
Bolt is somewhat similar, but I don't recall a cutout...I'll have to look.
There is an obvious loading slot on the left side of the receiver...not so on your rifle.
I'll go take another look today. The markings you posted will help me greatly.
Much thanks! BT53

Blacktail, I think your rifle is a Modell "Z", not a ZG 47.

Stolen from a fellow AR member:

Above is model 21H or 22F, earlier style (1946-1948) before double square bridge receiver, drilled and tapped after it left the factory. This is the later style with integral bridge receiver (1949-1954):

FLA tell us about that ZG 47, do you like it, I hope to one day hold one of those and check one out, or better yet find some old guy who needs to get rid of an old brno

quote:

cummins cowboy: I hope to one day hold one of those and check one out, or better yet find some old guy who needs to get rid of an old brno

They're kinda hard to find in the states cause only 20K ZGs were made and they weren't imported here. Europe and Canada are good places to shop but it has gotten harder to import them. The 21/22s are a little easier to find, 40K were made and they were available before the trade embargo.

I like them cause they are unusual, the 7x57 on my first post is my "go-to" deer rifle. Triggers and bolt handles are not the best design (trigger pivots at front and is not easily adjustable, bolt stem requires high scope mount to clear eyepiece). Also, some folks think the safeties are "backwards".

There was alot of discussion of these on previous threads, you might do a search.

OK, I looked at the rifle again. The owner didn't know much, he took it in on trade and tried to ID it. Thought it was a 47.
There is only one mark on it. It has " 7.9 " on the barrel at 12:00 ahead of the receiver ring. There may be markings under the stock somewhere...who knows.
Seriously, there's no date, proofs, manufactuer or anything on this gun!
Bolt handle is factory and bent straight down like an Obendorf sporter, flat and checkered on the stock side. Single trigger.
Safety is left side wing (very small, 1/2" at most) and on safe at 12:00 and fire at 9:00. Receiver has slots for stripper clip feeding and thumb cutout on left side receiver wall.
Has one standing and one folding iron sight - looks like they are mounted on a sleave like the Brno 21/22's.
The stock is very much like a 21H- no schnoble or tip. I suppose it could even be a small ring receiver as the whole rifle is quite svelt and thin. It fits me very well.
The scary part, if I were to buy this gun, is the scope mounting. The sq bridges look like they are for claw type mounts with the small holes on top of each bridge...it's not a dovetail arrangment like Brno or Sako. I have no knowledge of how these work, where to get them or what hight rings I would be stuck with. The rifle fits great, but if the scope were mounted "way up there" it would not be as comfortable or useful to me. The safety will be an issue too.
Any ideas, sound off! I'd be happy to listen. Mean while I'm pouring over evrything I can find on Mausers and Brno.
Thanks again guys. BT53

was the ZG 47 the only brno to come with that type of swing up safety similar in operation to the 527 safety, the brno 21's or 22's I have looked at where not marked brno 21 etc, however they do have knurling on the top of the receiver ring which gives them away

The rifle first pictured by "Blacktail" is a BRNO ZG/47. The left hand side clearly shows the proof marks and date of manufacture "56" meaning 1956. The serial number will be on the barrel and appears to be obscured for the photo. This is a true double bridge Mauser, has hinged bottom metal and a two piece set up so it's easy to convert to other calibre and a fully adjustable trigger. Bolt is factory as is the safety. 7.9 is the calibre...ie 8x57s.

Like to know asking price....might be a steal.Guys are paying big money to purchase custom actions that have all the features of the ZG/47. Very few sold in the USA and a small number mainly in western Canada.

The action is 98 Mauser dimensions and the fit/finish is excellent on these rifle. Were offerred in 7x57, 7x64, 30-06, 8x57, 8x64s, 9.3x62 and 10.75x68. The rifle can be restocked in any 98 Blank with some minor inletting for the bottom metal. Talley also makes a "BRNO" mount that works very well on this rifle.

It appears all factory original.

If you need more info please ask,

A BRNO fan and owner.

rgg_7,
The ZG47 rifle pictured above is not the subject of this thread..it was graciously posted by it's owner to help clarify some questions that I posed in my opening post.
I'm looking at a rifle that is tagged as a ZG47, but it has many many things about it that cause me to beleive that it is not..those are the questions I posed.
If you read my last post (2 up from yours) you will get a feel for what this rifle may be. I'd love to identify it, so I know what I am working with.
Price BTW is $795

Well I'll take another crack at it with that clarification. The ZG/47 posted above is awesome.

All the BRNO commerical rifles like the 21, 22, 47, 601, 600, 602 etc did not have charger clip nor 98 thumb cuts.

If it is 98 Mauser and I have one of these, it could be a sporter built on a BRNO 98 action. These generally had a low scope safety and claw mount bases. The front ring was sometimes dovetail milled for the front claw base. The rear base was built around the charger bridge. Floor plate release was generally a lever type and a single stage military style trigger was used.
If either scope base appears to be intergal with the receiver then you have something. Either a single or duble bridge Mauser.

If you can take the barrelled action out of the stock there should be some proof marks that will date the rifle....may be post WWI.

Definitely not a ZG/47. Sould be further investigated.

Cheers, Ron

Blacktail, in addition to the calibers mentioned above, ZGs were offered in 270Win, 6.5x57, 8x60S and 5.6x61 & 8x68S on special order. ZGs were designed around 1947 by an engineer named Galas, the first were produced in 1950 at the ZB plant at Brno but most production was between 1956-1962. Serial numbers (0-approximately 20000) are on the barrels. Year of manufacture, proofs & ZG47 stampings are on the left side of the receiver ring. There were several variations (stock designs, checkering patterns, barrel lengths, etc.). Because they are seldom encountered in the USA, other rifles are sometimes confused for them, but there should be no mistake.

The ZG47 was suceeded by the ZKK series which were manufactured at the CZ plant in Uhersky Brod from around 1964-1986, which were suceeded by the current CZ550 series. All firearms production at the old Brno plant ceased in August of this year. CZ has acquired some of ZB's existing product lines.

Fla3006 / Rgg_7,
Thanks guys. I'm dead certain that it is not a 47 and may not be a BRNO of any species at all.
The front ring is dovetailed for the front claw base and the rear looks to be integral.
The single trigger feels double stage when uncocked. When I had it cocked to play with the safety though, it didn't seem to have the "play" that a double stage trigger would have.
The safety is mounted on the top of the bolt sleeve - 2 position and although quite short, it may be in the way of a low mounted scope.
Floor plate release isn't the lever type...I think it's actuated at the front of the trigger guard...did'nt pay close enough attention there.
The thin rnd tapered barrel (23-24") has a sweated on sling stud pad (not a band) about 4" ahead of the forend.
The stock looks like it was made for the european market. Very thin in profile, no panels on the sides however. The cheek peice isn't the usual thin pancake variety, but rather quite pronounced.
I don't really know what to think about this firearm. It's totally sterile of any exposed markings other than the 7.9 on the barrel. Looks more like a Mauser type A sporter than most anything else..? Who knows..?
So I will be seeing this guy again and we may make a trade...my biggest concern would be mounting a scope properly for my use. If I have to sink a lot of $$ into mounts or have machine work done - that's a "no go" for me.
I need this rifle like I need another navel. But I'm drawn to it. It reminds me of the sweet little Brno 21H's in style and handling. It needs a home and there's elk to be killed. So, we'll see.
Thanks much for listening and your help. If you have other thoughts I'd love to hear them.
BT53

quote:

Because they are seldom encountered in the USA, other rifles are sometimes confused for them, but there should be no mistake.

Sounds like a guild gun or cigarette rifle.