My CZ-52

[Ret-Sarge]

Found this at the local gun show back in February 2015. $250.00 out the door with the holster, cleaning rod, 2 magazines, lanyard, 100 rounds of ammo, and a manual.

The holster is marked "Crossed Swords 53". The Gun is also marked the same "Crossed Swords 53" so both were made in 1953, with a VOZ 83 for a 1983 refurb date. The SN's match all the way around. Typical markings all the way around from what I have read. There is a "BRNO M/52 7.62mm HƆƎZƆ" marking with "Czech" upside-down which I've been told is the importers mark. But what company marked them that way?

The gun has a gray parkerized or phosphate finish, little to no wear on the finish. In the one picture you can see the difference in the color when compared to its younger brother a CZ-83 I brought back from Germany in 1992. If anyone can add some more information or knowledge, I would be highly appreciative.

70 rounds are marked 947 82, which would be Chinese ammo correct? And 30 rounds are marked Star 10 52 3, which would be Bulgarian ammo correct?

[carls sks]

nice buy Mike. 

[firstchoice]

I have a couple of these CZ-52's. One is a '53, like yours. The '53's holster has some wear on the inside and I can't make out any date on it. (just smudged red ink)  Serial Number: R 12588  The pistol has the same markings as yours, except mine doesn't have any of the VOZ 83 marking that yours does. Instead of the BRNO stamp that yours has, the right side, forward part of the slide has been import marked with the:

CZ52 7.62 TOK CZECH
 C.A.I.  GEORGIA  VT

My other CZ52 is a '54 manufacture. Condition is like-new-excellent.  SN: FK 06917 The holster is brand new with the "crossed swords" 60 stamp and also stamped :

KOZAK 5
BTK MAJDOVA

The '54 looks to be unfired, but is it a refurb or a new gun?

The import mark on the '54 is on the underside of the receiver, towards the front, under the front of the barrel. Smaller, discreet stamp:

CZ-52 7.62x25  CZECH REP
           TG  KNOX TN

I like these old guns. I bought two of the CZ-82's in 9x18 Makarov and a CZ-83 in .32acp. I hadn't seen the CZ-83 in .380 (9mm Browning) like yours until I saw your post on that. Nice! Makes me want to complete the set now.

firstchoice

[Ret-Sarge]

I have a couple of these CZ-52's. One is a '53, like yours. The '53's holster has some wear on the inside and I can't make out any date on it. (just smudged red ink)  Serial Number: R 12588  The pistol has the same markings as yours, except mine doesn't have any of the VOZ 83 marking that yours does. Instead of the BRNO stamp that yours has, the right side, forward part of the slide has been import marked with the:

CZ52 7.62 TOK CZECH
 C.A.I.  GEORGIA  VT

My other CZ52 is a '54 manufacture. Condition is like-new-excellent.  SN: FK 06917 The holster is brand new with the "crossed swords" 60 stamp and also stamped :

KOZAK 5
BTK MAJDOVA

The '54 looks to be unfired, but is it a refurb or a new gun?

The import mark on the '54 is on the underside of the receiver, towards the front, under the front of the barrel. Smaller, discreet stamp:

CZ-52 7.62x25  CZECH REP
           TG  KNOX TN

I like these old guns. I bought two of the CZ-82's in 9x18 Makarov and a CZ-83 in .32acp. I hadn't seen the CZ-83 in .380 (9mm Browning) like yours until I saw your post on that. Nice! Makes me want to complete the set now.

firstchoice

When you go after a CZ-83 they had two trigger guard setups. Ours are the early/original style. Later they had a swoop to them. So there's another variation for you. Here's  picture I stole from the internet showing the other trigger guard.

[Phosphorus32]

Very nice pistol!

Mine is a 1954, matching D block, all Parkerized.

Your ammunition provenance is correct. Factory 10, Kazanlak in central Bulgaria. During the communist era it was known as "Machine Building Plant Friedrich Engels" but we know it as “Arsenal”. Brass cased ammo, as was all Bulgarian 7.62x25, from 1952.

947 is a Chinese factory of unknown name and location. Copper-washed steel cased ammo from 1982.