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Folks frequently confuse the trademarks of these companies - a situation not helped by the fact the country code for Czechoslovakia isalso "CZ". The place-name "Brno" is also frequently misused as a company identifier. Possibly because few non-Czech speakers want to attempt to pronounce "Ceskoslovenska Zbrojovka". But be that as it may, the name "Brno" came into such common usage that it was utilized as a product name after the Communist take-over of Czechoslovakia. Speaking of which, with the Communist take-over in the late 1940's both Ceska Zbrojovka and Ceskoslovenska Zbrojovka ceased to exist, at least as we thinkof them as separate companies. Rather they became State owned manufacturing facilities ("Narodni Podnik", or "National Enterprise"). At this point it becomes unclear the degree to which commercial firearm markings indicate what factory was involved in the production of the firearm.

At some point the manufacturing facility in Brno was renamed to Zbrojovka Brno (Brno Arms). The manufacturing facility in Uhersky Brod became a member of the Zbrojovka Brno Narodni Podnik in 1965. At this point the firearms produced at Uhersky Brod were also marked (I won't say "used the trademark") "Brno". I think it's important to note here that while these were still physically different manufacturing facilities, both were a part of the same National Enterprise. That's an important distinction since what we, in a capitalistic society, think of as "companies" and "trade marks" either donot exist or have different meanings in a Socialist State.

With the deterioration and eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union, private enterprise again came to Czechoslovakia. The National Enterprise located at Uhersky Brod is once more "Ceska Zbrojovka", and appears to be well on the road to private ownership. It even has a new trademark; theoutline of a pistol in a circle.

Ceska Zbrojovka has an Internet site at http://www.czub.cz, and an office here in the States. The last address I have for their US office is: CZ USA; Building B, Unit 119; 1401 Fairfax Trafficway; Kansas City, KS 66115 (tel) 800/955-4486 or 913/321-1811 (fax) 913/321-2251 E-mail: czusa@gvi.net

As of 18 May, 1995, Zbrojovka Brno/Brno Arms was still in operation and producing fine shotguns, rifles, pistols, and airguns.Individual shareholders held 50.43% of its stock, with the remainder of itscapitalization provided by governmental entities. Reportedly, 40% of its production goes to 52 countries worldwide. To the best of my knowledge, Zbrojovka Brno does nothave either a US office or an Internet site. Zbrojovka Brno still uses theletter "Z" inside a rifled bore as its trademark.