Yesterday I filmed this video on my cell phone in between jobs while prepping the homestead for winter. I wasn't expecting to make the video and all of this was spontaneous but I've been thinking about the ZKK for a long time now and so the footage is somewhat organized.
We made the weekend a working holiday but as today is Thanksgiving I offer you my warmest wishes and hopes for the future. If you ever find yourself in a situation where a ZKK crosses your path then I hope this video helps you to make an informed decision.
Between 1964 and 1966 the Czech government migrated the production of long guns from Zbrojovka BRNO to Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod (CZUB). There are no CZUB marks on this rifle and so this may be one of the very last smoke poles to come out of the original Zbrojovka BRNO factory. This particular rifle was manufactured in 1966 and is one of the very first ZKK600 rifles to come off the assembly line.
Rifle quality may vary by year. After the Soviets invaded Czechslovakia in 1968 it is my understanding that manufacture quality (especially finishing) of ZKK rifles were negatively impacted. If Ukraine has taught us anything its that the Soviets haven't changed and they are still running Russia.
Frank De Haas wrote in his book "Bolt Action Rifles" expanded 3rd edition on page 175 states the following when discussing the Brno ZKK action:
" The action is of all steel construction. The one piece receiver is a forging, very nicely machined on every surface. The 602 is probably the only forged magnumlength Mauser action made anywhere in the world today (at the time of writing), something that ought to make custom rifle builders sit up and take notice."
Later on page 179 when discussing the Metal Finish on the ZKK receiver he states:
"The Brno ZKK receiver has an unusual finish. It seems to have been heavily sand blasted. The surface has a matte finish that is greyish in color, contrasting with the wellpolished blued barrel and the bright bolt and extractor: the effect is quite pleasing."
At some point the manufacturing facility in Brno was renamed to Zbrojovka BRNO (BRNO Arms). The manufacturing facility in Uhersky Brod (CZUB) became a member of the Zbrojovka Brno Narodni Podnik in 1965. Firearms produced at Uhersky Brod were also marked "Brno". I think it's important to note that while these were still physically different manufacturing facilities, both were a part of the same National Enterprise. Throughout the Cold War CZUB manufactured a wide variety of sporting arms but they principally manufactured the ZKK (rifle), ZKM (rimfire), ZKP (pistol) and ZKR (revolver) series. CZUB also produced the VZ58 for the military.
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Thank You and Maple Leaf Up
Snippets of this rifle can be seen at in the following videos:
Recce Time is Family Time
• Recce Time is Family Time
Searching for Consistency
• SEARCHING FOR CONSISTENCY