The Original CZ Forum

CZ PISTOL CLUBS => CZ75, 75b, 75 SAO inc the Transitional => Topic started by: Doby on December 27, 2011, 03:23:54 AM

Title: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: Doby on December 27, 2011, 03:23:54 AM
New to the Forum here, and of course I immediately have a question. Today I bought my first CZ-75 (pre-B Model). I haven't shot it yet but it handles like a dream with a terrific trigger (SA set at maybe 2 1/2 pounds with almost no creep and a very modest amount of over-travel) and a set of Bo-Mar fully adjustable three-dot target sights on it. Serial number is J3407 and the pistol has no importer's marks that I can see. Just above the extractor on the frame is a proof mark and "92" beside it. Is this simply a nicely owner-modified pistol or was it a factory model. Does the "92" mean that is the date of manufacture? Thanks in advance for your help. All the best, Doby Pilgrim
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: painter on December 27, 2011, 07:08:47 AM
92 indicates the year of manufacture
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: DanMore on December 29, 2011, 06:26:52 AM
That marking does not have to be the manufacturing date.
That date indicates when the firearm was testfired by the authorities. Here in germany known as the Beschussamt (proof house).
All Firearms must be testfired to ensure they function correctly and are safe to use.

On Sig Sauer Pistols, there is the datecode unter the muzzle that uses two letters from "A" to "J" where A is "0" and K is "9"
A - 0
B - 1
C - 2
D - 3
E - 4
F - 5
G - 6
H - 7
J - 8
K - 9

So taking my Sig P226 marked KE under the slide means it was made in 1994

But CZ doesn`t have thta type of date coding on their firearms.
So the proofstamp with the date on it, where the ejector is, is about when it was made, but dosn`t have to be.
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: tekarra on December 29, 2011, 10:21:05 PM
Welcome to the club Doby.
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: Doby on December 30, 2011, 02:27:52 AM
Thanks for the replies and the welcome, gentlemen! I now have read many threads here and around the rest of the 'net since my initial post so I think I have this pistol figured out with your help of course.

It seems to be a very late "Classic" CZ-75 that has had that 3-dot Bo-Mar sight system added, and a target trigger job done on it. The top of the slide was milled flat to accommodate the rear adjustable target-type sight, and the front sight is a target pattern as well. Probably done by some extremely talented gunsmith, since it frankly looks like factory quality work - or better. I had the pleasure of sneaking out to the desert during my lunch hour and shooting it for the first time today. The trigger is so light that during the first couple of mags I accidentally "double-tapped" it a couple of times! I have some pistols with great triggers, but frankly none this light. I need to put a trigger gauge on it, since it may well be less than 2 pounds. This particular CZ is going to be relegated to target use only in my collection. The trigger seems to be too light for defensive use, but way too nice to mess around with it. A real joy to shoot, and I just love it. If I can add a trigger stop to it while retaining the double action capability I think I may give that a shot.

I can't believe I have been through so many handguns over the years without trying out a CZ-75. I'm hooked after only 60 rounds, and may even sell a couple of my 1911s to fund the purchase of some more of them. I see why so many of you guys are hooked on these fine pistols. The only downside is that I can see myself spending a lot more on 9mm ammo than I usually do!

Best to all here, and thanks for all the great information. This is by far the finest forum on the internet to research the great CZ-75. (Should have listened to the late Col. Cooper sooner on the CZ as much as I did on the 1911!)

Doby Pilgrim
Santa Fe, NM - USA
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: DanMore on December 31, 2011, 03:44:53 AM
How about some pics?
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: Hayfield123 on December 31, 2011, 08:13:46 AM
Welcome to the forum.  No doubt that you will buy more CZs . . . it happens to all of us!  Post some pics of this great pistol . . . we love pics and range reports!  ;D
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: Old Dominion on December 31, 2011, 08:46:12 AM
Hello and welcome. Yes it's true that probably won't be your last CZ. I bought 2 this past year and I'm itchin for another. Again welcome, and I'd like to see those replacement sites on your pistol.
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: Doby on January 03, 2012, 03:36:44 AM
Here are some bad photos. I will use my son's digital camera when I figure out how to use it. These are from my cell phone. Yuck. The front sight is dovetailed. Rear is as I said installed by milling the slide and has no dovetail. They are three-dot target sights. There are no importer's markings on it, and I am certain they were never there. This pistol doesn't appear to have been refinished to me. Is it possible a Frankonia, or just some good custom work?

All the best,
Doby

(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii194/dobypilgrim/cz1.jpg)
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: Hayfield123 on January 03, 2012, 08:46:15 AM
Nice!
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: morb on January 03, 2012, 06:09:16 PM
92 indicates the year of manufacture

Does this count for all the models? I have an 85C with no such mark.
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: painter on January 07, 2012, 03:59:34 PM
92 indicates the year of manufacture

Does this count for all the models? I have an 85C with no such mark.
There should be an oval near the ejection port.

Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: DanMore on January 08, 2012, 06:57:58 AM
As far as I know, you will only find this marking, if the pistol was initially puchased in germany and taken to the US.
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: morb on January 08, 2012, 09:47:25 AM
Ok, mine is Canadian. It does have what I think are import marks on it, I'll try to post a picture of it later.
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: painter on January 08, 2012, 09:54:06 AM
Ok, mine is Canadian. It does have what I think are import marks on it, I'll try to post a picture of it later.
http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=14704.0
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: morb on January 08, 2012, 02:01:35 PM
Here's a couple pics

No date
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/morbeus/web%20stuff/DSCF1500.jpg)


I assume this is an import mark? I just noticed the 10 there, is that the manufacture date or import date?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/morbeus/web%20stuff/DSCF1499.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/morbeus/web%20stuff/DSCF1501.jpg)
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: painter on January 08, 2012, 02:12:49 PM
I believe so, or as DanMore says the 'proof date' when the pistol was test fired.
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: morb on January 08, 2012, 05:15:30 PM
Thanks for the help
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: DanMore on January 09, 2012, 02:26:28 AM
Back in the good old days, CZ never have been importet to the US by any company. They had been imported or better taken to the US by US Soldiers, that had been stationed here in germany and that bought the CZ`s at Frankonia, that is the main importer for CZ firearms in germany.

I can`t tell, when CZ started to sell directly in the US, but it can`t be that long ago, compared to how long CZ75`s are on the market.

Since specially the Pre "B"`s  had been purchased in a germany shop, they mostly all have the german proof marks on them. Later models, that hadn`t been sold via germany, would most likely not have these proof marks on them.
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: liv4spd on March 02, 2024, 05:48:49 PM
Below is from their website:

A: Each CZ firearm has the year of manufacture stamped on the firearm itself. For many years, pistol marks were located in a small oval behind the extractor/ejection port. Recent production has moved that to just in front of the serial number on the slide. It will be a 2 digit code indicating the year it was manufactured.

Rifles generally have the manufacture date stamp on the right side of the action, slightly behind where the barrel threads into the receiver. The rifle mark has a proof stamp along with the 2 digit code.
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: M1A4ME on March 03, 2024, 06:47:08 AM
In the second picture.  Isn't that a "10" just in front of the serial number on the right side of the pistol on the slide?
Title: Re: How to tell the manufacture date
Post by: DonB88 on April 03, 2024, 04:29:58 PM
I had the same question on a retro hammer model and corresponded with the Czub marketing rep in the Czec Republic. His response was "the year of production is always equal to the year of a C.I.P. proof test. It is typically present on the barrel/chamber/bolt in a form of a crest and C.I.P. stamp with two digits which are equal to the year of production." I hope that helps.
DRB