The date that Brno rifles stopped and CZ took over is not black and white but rather quite grey.
CZ was using Brno parts for some time before they had complete stock of their own. It made sense to use up all the Brno parts and stock was moved from the Brno plant to CZ to enable this to happen. Assembly continued with the Brno parts until they ran out and then they merely started using the changed CZ parts. Hence the grey change over. I have about 160 Czech firearms of which there are about 40 different rimfire and several, particularly the rimfires show the signs of change over. When it comes to the model 2 Brno to CZ 452 change, I have several that show some parts and markings of the transition.
My opinion may not be that of every bodies but I?ll stand by it because of the circumstances. There are a few different trademarks used and I would place some weight on the mark used on the rifle. Along with trademarks there are certain things to look for that are Brno and the same are quite different in the CZ line up. An example would be the action dovetails. The Brno are always wider at 16mm where the CZ are 3/8 or 11mm on the rimfire. Brno used a Z inside rifling as a trademark, CZ have their own trademarks.
In general the Brno?s are better finished than CZ though there is little wrong with CZ. Stock shape is quite different between the two as well. Some of the later Brnos started to show a drop of quality and sometimes this can be because of the finishing in the CZ plant. There are several things available on CZ?s (not all good) that were never available on Brno?s, likewise there are things that were available on Brno?s that have not been available on the CZ?s.
Here are a few of my Czechs. There are many others missing from the line up but if you want info on any particular model then ask and I?ll see what I can help with.
All the best with yours
