How to tell the manufacture date

[Doby]

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

[painter]

92 indicates the year of manufacture

[DanMore]

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.

[tekarra]

Welcome to the club Doby.

[Doby]

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

[DanMore]

How about some pics?

[Hayfield123]

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! 

[Old Dominion]

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.

[Doby]

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

[Hayfield123]

Nice!

[morb]

92 indicates the year of manufacture

Does this count for all the models? I have an 85C with no such mark.

[painter]

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.

[DanMore]

As far as I know, you will only find this marking, if the pistol was initially puchased in germany and taken to the US.

[morb]

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.

[painter]

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