Found this information on a site that was trying to sell a Cz52 9mm. Kind of interesting. Maybe some of you knew this already. Apparently, Zbrojovko Brno (CZ52 factory) proof-marked pistols converted to 9mm at the factory. This pistol is marked "ZB 4658 95." I want to thank Jim for sharing the following information with me: =========================================================================== "Your pistol will have a small number stamped on the forward right side of the receiver, next to the ""Lion N"" proof, in the format: ZBxxxx96. This is the PROOF SEQUENCE NUMBER, basically telling you that this pistol was the xxxxth pistol of this type proofed by Zbrojovko Brno in the year 1996 (or whatever year the final two digits indicate)..." =========================================================================== Also, apparently the crest I mention above is another "Lion N." In other words, the lion crest is on the barrel AND on the frame. =========================================================================== =========================================================================== More information from Jim:================================================= In the early 1990s, the vz. 52 was declared surplus and the Ministry of Foreign Trade began releasing them for export sale. Century Arms (CAI) was the first major U.S. purchaser, but after an initial burst of collector interest, sales sagged a bit. In order to restore interest, the Czechs revivied the 9 mm conversion program and directed Zbrojovko Brno to perform the work. Part of the conversion process involved polishing and re-blueing the slides, and those pistols being prepared for CAI were also roll-stamped on the lower left front of the slide, "MOD.52 Mfg. By BRNO In Czech Republic / Imported by CAI ST.ALB.VT." The numerical portion of the pistol's serial number (but not the series prefix) was stamped on the outside of the chamber, along with the caliber designation, "9 mm LUGER." These pistols were commercially proofed after conversion and a proof sequence number was stamped on the right side of the receiver (this is what I have been tracking). To date, only 95 and 96 proof sequence dates have been reported and no sequence number above 6,000 has been observed, indicating that the total number of these conversions probably did not exceed 10,000.============================================================= =========================================================================== CAI apparently figured out that they could beat the cost of the Czech 9 mm conversions, and they began their own 9 mm conversion program by simply re-boring and re-rifling the original 7.62 mm barrels. These pistols were not proofed after conversion, and carry no added markings other than the CAI importer's stamp and the new caliber, "9 MM" stamped on the outside of the chamber. It is also interesting that the rifling on these converted pistols uses a left-hand twist, while the Czech barrels all have a right-hand twist.Apparently, Zbrojovko Brno (CZ52 factory) proof-marked pistols converted to 9mm at the factory. This pistol is marked "ZB 4658 95." I want to thank Jim for sharing the following information with me: =========================================================================== "Your pistol will have a small number stamped on the forward right side of the receiver, next to the ""Lion N"" proof, in the format: ZBxxxx96. This is the PROOF SEQUENCE NUMBER, basically telling you that this pistol was the xxxxth pistol of this type proofed by Zbrojovko Brno in the year 1996 (or whatever year the final two digits indicate)..." =========================================================================== Also, apparently the crest I mention above is another "Lion N." In other words, the lion crest is on the barrel AND on the frame. =========================================================================== =========================================================================== More information from Jim:================================================= In the early 1990s, the vz. 52 was declared surplus and the Ministry of Foreign Trade began releasing them for export sale. Century Arms (CAI) was the first major U.S. purchaser, but after an initial burst of collector interest, sales sagged a bit. In order to restore interest, the Czechs revivied the 9 mm conversion program and directed Zbrojovko Brno to perform the work. Part of the conversion process involved polishing and re-blueing the slides, and those pistols being prepared for CAI were also roll-stamped on the lower left front of the slide, "MOD.52 Mfg. By BRNO In Czech Republic / Imported by CAI ST.ALB.VT." The numerical portion of the pistol's serial number (but not the series prefix) was stamped on the outside of the chamber, along with the caliber designation, "9 mm LUGER." These pistols were commercially proofed after conversion and a proof sequence number was stamped on the right side of the receiver (this is what I have been tracking). To date, only 95 and 96 proof sequence dates have been reported and no sequence number above 6,000 has been observed, indicating that the total number of these conversions probably did not exceed 10,000.============================================================= =========================================================================== CAI apparently figured out that they could beat the cost of the Czech 9 mm conversions, and they began their own 9 mm conversion program by simply re-boring and re-rifling the original 7.62 mm barrels. These pistols were not proofed after conversion, and carry no added markings other than the CAI importer's stamp and the new caliber, "9 MM" stamped on the outside of the chamber. It is also interesting that the rifling on these converted pistols uses a left-hand twist, while the Czech barrels all have a right-hand twist.
