Author Topic: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)  (Read 151854 times)

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Offline sharps_74

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What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« on: February 21, 2010, 09:26:45 PM »
This is for Italian made firearms made from 1954 to 2005. Before that date they used Roman numerals indicating the month and year. Hope this is helpful.

 X=1954
XI=1955
XII=1956
XIII=1957
XIV=1958
XV=1959
XVI=1960
XVII=1961
XVIII=1962
XIX=1963
XX=1964
XXI=1965
XXII=1966
XXIII=1967
XXIV=1968
XXV=1969
XXVI=1970
XXVII=1971
XXVIII=1972
XXIX=1973
XXX=1974
AA=1975
AB=1976
AC=1977
AD=1978
AE=1979
AF=1980
AH=1981
AI=1982
AL=1983
AM=1984
AN=1985
AP=1986
AS=1987
AT=1988
AW=1989
AZ=1990
BA=1991
BB=1992
BC=1993
BD=1994
BF=1995
BH=1996
BI=1997
BL=1998
BM=1999
BN=2000
BP=2001
BS=2002
BT=2003
BW=2004
BZ=2005



I will add more as I find it. Mods. feel free to sticky this.
« Last Edit: February 21, 2010, 09:29:15 PM by sharps_74 »

Offline Southern Forester

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Re: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2010, 10:12:56 PM »
I've seen a table similar to this, but this is good enough for a sticky!

Cool stuff!

Davis

Offline eric0424

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Re: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2010, 10:24:48 PM »
Am I correct in assuming that the square with "AN" stamped onto the frame of my TZ-75 is the date code?? 

Thanks for the list, been wondering when mine was made since 98.  I had guessed mid-80's but it's nice to know for sure.


Offline sharps_74

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Re: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2010, 11:48:14 PM »
Am I correct in assuming that the square with "AN" stamped onto the frame of my TZ-75 is the date code?? 

Thanks for the list, been wondering when mine was made since 98.  I had guessed mid-80's but it's nice to know for sure.



Yup brother, yours was made in '85 the same as mine.

Offline jwc007

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Re: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2010, 12:51:51 AM »
I've seen a table similar to this, but this is good enough for a sticky!

I quite agree. Done!
« Last Edit: February 22, 2010, 01:03:44 AM by jwc007 »
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Offline detroiter

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Re: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2010, 04:28:24 PM »
Mine says CC in a box above the trigger gaurd. I would imagine following the lists pattern would indicate what year mine was made.

Probably something like this ?

CA=2006
CB=2007
CC=2008

Don't know if thats right or not. I did buy mine in the Fall of '08 so it's possible. At least it narrows it down between those 3 yrs for me.

Cool list though, Thanks sharps_74

Offline copterdrvr

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Re: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2010, 05:18:07 PM »
I have a TZ75 Series 88 and I've looked all over the outside of the gun but can't find any markings.  I found the code on my baby TA90 and it was made in 86.  Where do they typically put the code on the "88", is it inside the gun or on the frame under the grip panels?  Thanks.

Offline eric0424

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Re: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2010, 06:08:53 PM »
Mine says CC in a box above the trigger gaurd. I would imagine following the lists pattern would indicate what year mine was made.

Probably something like this ?

CA=2006
CB=2007
CC=2008

Don't know if thats right or not. I did buy mine in the Fall of '08 so it's possible. At least it narrows it down between those 3 yrs for me.

Cool list though, Thanks sharps_74

I would agree, makes sense to me that they would keep the same pattern for the new pistols.


I have a TZ75 Series 88 and I've looked all over the outside of the gun but can't find any markings.  I found the code on my baby TA90 and it was made in 86.  Where do they typically put the code on the "88", is it inside the gun or on the frame under the grip panels?  Thanks.

On the pre-88 models the date code is located on the frame above the trigger guard (pics below).  It's a small box with two letters inside stamped into the frame.  I would think the date code is visible on yours without having to remove any thing from it.  It's possible with these stampings being light that someone removed it when sanding for a refinish or it got covered with a finish of some sort.



« Last Edit: March 05, 2010, 09:55:58 PM by eric0424 »

Offline copterdrvr

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Re: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« Reply #8 on: March 04, 2010, 12:57:52 PM »
Hey, thanks for the reply!

That's where the stamp was on my TA 90 but I don't see anything there on the "88" and the gun is in pristine condition with factory finish.  Funny thing is I bought it new and I can't for the life of me remember when I bought it-it was in the 80's-I think!  ;D

Offline spartan45

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Re: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2010, 02:35:23 PM »
hmm my ta-90 has a box with AU in it. maybe a transitional model?



sorry for the crappy pic

Offline jwc007

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Re: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2010, 02:52:36 PM »
hmm my ta-90 has a box with AU in it. maybe a transitional model?

sorry for the crappy pic

Yes, yours IS a transitional model, having some features of both series.  There is a lot of variation in Transitional models, but they are very very well made.

Very nice Pistol!  It should be very accurate!

BTW, your pic is just fine, showing enough detail.
"Easy is the path to wisdom for those not blinded by ego." - Yoda


For all of those killed by a 9mm: "Get up! You are not dead! You were shot with a useless cartridge!"

Offline spartan45

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Re: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2010, 01:01:55 PM »
thanks accuracy is very good also.

Offline jwc007

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Re: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« Reply #12 on: March 22, 2010, 12:12:21 AM »
Clone History

The Pre-Series 88 TZ75/TA90 (original series) were directly comparable to the original Pre-B CZ75.  So much so, that some parts and Magazines will interchange.  And yes, I have owned both at the same time.  Both have now been traded off.  The main differences at the time were Sights and Safeties.  The original TZ75/TA90's used a Slide Mounted Hammer Drop Safety, while the CZ75 has always used a Frame Mounted Safety. Very early TZ75's/TA90's also had softer metallurgy.  Later ones were much better.  Notably the production just prior to the Series 88 pistols.  Note that TZ75's were imported by FIE Corp and TA90's were imported by Excam Corp.  Later on when both Companies went under, Employees from both would form EAA Corp and resume importation of Tanfoglio Pistols.  About the same time, Springfield also began importing various Tanfoglio models as the P9, with some actually being finished in the USA.

It should also be noted that between the Pre-Series 88 and actual Series 88 Tanfoglio Pistols there were "Transitional" models with enough variation to drive a sane collector, nuts.  These must be assessed/identified on their features and Serial Number range.

Series 88 TZ75/TA90's diverged dimensionally from the original TZ75/TA90 just as the CZ75B did from the Pre-B Series.  I've read here that Series 88 Tanfoglio Pistols can use CZ75B/85B magazines, but have no direct experience of this.  I do know that Series 88 Tanfoglio Pistols will use EAA Witness/Baby Eagle Magazines for the Series 88 and original Witness small frame.  Very few, if any, parts will interchange between the Series 88, later Tanfoglio Pistols, and the CZ75B.  EAA will have a stock of some parts for the early Tanfoglio Pistols.

Series 88 Tanfoglio Pistols and later Witnesses with older Serial Numbers prior to the EA Series are dimensionally compatible.  EA Series and later Tanfoglio Pistols differ slightly dimensionally from all prior Series. Slides and Frames are typically not directly compatible, although it is possible to fit the Current Slides to the older Frames. It's a real big pain!  I don't recommend it.

Swiss AT84 and Asai One Pro Pistols were based on the Series 88 and later Tanfoglio Pistols with magazines directly compatible per frame size.  They were also made directly from castings from Tanfoglio with all finish work and barrels made by the Swiss.  These were made/imported about the same time frame as the Springfield P9's.  The Swiss designs have evolved into a different direction similar to current Sarsilmaz designs and rarely, if ever imported to the USA at this time.

IMI Baby Eagle and Jericho Pistols are based on the Series 88 and later Tanfoglio Pistols with magazines directly compatible per frame size.  They are also made directly from castings from Tanfoglio with all finish work and barrels made by IMI/IWI.

Armalite AR24 Series Pistols are based on the original 9mm/.40 Tanfoglio Witness Frame, due to a contract Tanfoglio had with Sarsilmaz and the Turkish Government.  My understanding is that they are no longer partnering with Sarsilmaz.

Armscor MAP Series Pistols are based on EA Series Tanfoglio/Witness 9mm/.40 Frame Pistols and are made/finished from Castings and Parts directly supplied by Tanfoglio.  Baby Eagle/EAA Witness Magazines will work in these Pistols.

Current, 2005 and later, Witnesses are all built on the larger .45/10mm/.38 Super Frame.  The original Tanfoglio 9mm/.40 Frame Pistols (MAP series) have been available from Armscor from time to time.


1992 and 2004 vintage .45 EAA Witnesses
« Last Edit: March 22, 2010, 12:43:04 AM by jwc007 »
"Easy is the path to wisdom for those not blinded by ego." - Yoda


For all of those killed by a 9mm: "Get up! You are not dead! You were shot with a useless cartridge!"

Offline jbabbler

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Re: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« Reply #13 on: April 17, 2010, 10:38:28 AM »
The date code on my TA90 compact is "AU" as well. Guess I have a transitional model. Not sure what that means exactly but at least I know something about the date it was born.  ;D

Now to figure out which grips will fit.



Thanks for the list. Nice Work.

Offline jwc007

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Re: What year was your Italian CZ clone made? (Italian date codes)
« Reply #14 on: April 17, 2010, 11:36:46 PM »
The date code on my TA90 compact is "AU" as well. Guess I have a transitional model. Not sure what that means exactly but at least I know something about the date it was born.  ;D

Now to figure out which grips will fit.

Very Nice TA90 Compact and Welcome to the Forum!  My Series 88 TA90 Compact is very much like it!  Transitional Models have some features of both Pre-Series 88 Pistols and Series 88 Pistols.  

Your Pistol has:

Pre-Series 88 Features
Hammer
Front Dustcover Bevel

Series 88 Features
Frame and Slide Size
Grips
Sights
Magazine Latch

The Extractor may also be different, as some came with a CZ Style Extractor and some, including mine, came with a Walther/Beretta Style Extractor.

Grips for the Compact/Baby TA90/TZ75 and Small Frame Compact Witness should fit, but keep the originals on hand.

Regardless of any of these variations, you will find this Pistol to be very accurate and reliable.  Mine certainly is.  Finding one of these in Very Good to Almost New condition is great fortune indeed!
« Last Edit: April 17, 2010, 11:44:39 PM by jwc007 »
"Easy is the path to wisdom for those not blinded by ego." - Yoda


For all of those killed by a 9mm: "Get up! You are not dead! You were shot with a useless cartridge!"