Author Topic: Where can I find information on early VZ58s and also wood furniture?  (Read 2146 times)

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Offline Stopsign32v

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I'm interested in the pre beaver barf furniture and more to the hardwood. When was it used? Also I'd like to mainly read up on the early years of this rifle and it's different variations through the years. I can't find a book on them and Internet knowledge is vague and basic.

Also what metal finish would have been on early VZ58s?

Offline RSR

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Re: Where can I find information on early VZ58s and also wood furniture?
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2016, 12:38:31 PM »
All gray paint -- believe over park.  Duracoat VZ2000 paint color is close/good, but varying shades of gray were used...

This book is best: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CZECH-ARMY-BOOK-ON-Vz58-RIFLE-/291431139588
But it is in Czech.  Lots of pics though.

Hognose of Weaponsman blog might be doing a Czech rifle book series (believe he said rifle and submachine gun, so uncertain as into which the Vz 58 might fall) after he completes his first entry, a Czech pistol book, that he's currently working on. 

The wood was only used on the first gen of the Vz 58.  It had the single band trigger guard (no indent/split for the mag release), a rounded cow tongue-esque mag (symmetrical) release vs the cutaway dog-eared looking mag release that goes with the split trigger guard.  The front sight is also telling -- it was the open-eared version but lacked the lightening/bevel cuts along the top edge.  Believe the keyring type sling loop is correct here too.  There are some other notables with internal parts, but that should cover the cosmetic components.
Insofar as wood being used -- the top handguard cover was found to crack when it heated rapidly and eventually split completely and fall off (wood couldn't release moisture in cells fast enough so effectively the cellular walls rupture [not actually cells since dead, but don't recall the exact terminology for the remaining wood structure at the moment]).  I don't know of any durability issues with the other components, but when you look at the changes to weapon design, it seems to support making the weapon lighter and more efficient to manufacture, which clearly are both negatives to keeping wood instead of the Czech bakelite/beaver barf.
« Last Edit: June 22, 2016, 12:45:23 PM by RSR »

Offline gwvt

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Re: Where can I find information on early VZ58s and also wood furniture?
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2016, 12:41:06 PM »
Don't forget to look at the stickies at the top of this subforum. There are links to quite a bit of information.

Offline Stopsign32v

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Re: Where can I find information on early VZ58s and also wood furniture?
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2016, 02:36:21 PM »
Thanks, I'm attempting to make a VZ2008 look as close to a 1st Gen Vz58 as possible. As of now I have a set of wood furniture and a cone FH on the way.

Offline RSR

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Re: Where can I find information on early VZ58s and also wood furniture?
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2016, 12:55:06 PM »
Cone flash hider was only used on the night vision variant with bipod and night vision, which was actually only used in the later gen beaver barf configuration that I've seen.  Earlier versions just had the thread protector/muzzle nut.

Offline Stopsign32v

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Re: Where can I find information on early VZ58s and also wood furniture?
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2016, 01:58:38 PM »
Cone flash hider was only used on the night vision variant with bipod and night vision, which was actually only used in the later gen beaver barf configuration that I've seen.  Earlier versions just had the thread protector/muzzle nut.

Thanks! I'll grab one of those as well. Any advice on best place to get a VZ thread protector?

Offline TJNewton

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Re: Where can I find information on early VZ58s and also wood furniture?
« Reply #6 on: June 26, 2016, 03:46:45 PM »

This book is best: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CZECH-ARMY-BOOK-ON-Vz58-RIFLE-/291431139588
But it is in Czech.  Lots of pics though.


I would love to see a translation of that book.  The history of the VZ58 is extremely interesting not only from perspective of evolution of design, but also politically.  It would be fascinating to read about how the Czechoslovakians bucked the Kremlin on its technological and military trophy -- the AK47.  There had to be some serious conflict and shoving back and forth.  How that tiny nation won against the big bear Soviet Union is a story I'd love to hear.

Offline CitizenPete

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Re: Where can I find information on early VZ58s and also wood furniture?
« Reply #7 on: July 02, 2016, 02:22:19 AM »

This book is best: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CZECH-ARMY-BOOK-ON-Vz58-RIFLE-/291431139588
But it is in Czech.  Lots of pics though.


I would love to see a translation of that book.  The history of the VZ58 is extremely interesting not only from perspective of evolution of design, but also politically.  It would be fascinating to read about how the Czechoslovakians bucked the Kremlin on its technological and military trophy -- the AK47.  There had to be some serious conflict and shoving back and forth.  How that tiny nation won against the big bear Soviet Union is a story I'd love to hear.

I agree with your post on all points and questions.  I wish someone would translate the book as well.  There are a few Czech sites on the vzor.58 I stumbled on to in the past.  By using Google translate I was able to get close to a reasonable translation.
« Last Edit: July 02, 2016, 02:26:20 AM by CitizenPete »
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The post above is opinion, and I am probably totally wrong, so please pardon me if I offend anyone in any way. I am speaking only for myself and just sharing my thoughts, not trying to start an argument with anyone, and if you disagree with anything I have said, I concede your correct.

Offline zmr

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Re: Where can I find information on early VZ58s and also wood furniture?
« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2016, 11:22:16 PM »
ebay is your best bet