This is the first English language work to examine the subject in detail and the first in any language to identify, describe, and quantify variations and production figures for the models covered.

The book focuses on the Czechoslovak Communist period (1948-1989), but reaches back into the 1930s in order to trace the history of the 6.35 mm Duo pocket pistol, which remained in production under the name Z until 1974 with a total of thirteen distinct marking variations, and the 6.35 mm model 1945, which had its beginnings as the model 1936. The 7.65 mm model 50 police pistol and its successor, the model 70, are covered in depth, documenting both marking variations and a significant number of design changes introduced during their thirty-three-year production life. The 7.62 mm model 52 Army pistol is given extensive treatment based on data drawn from over 2,000 specimens; in addition to descriptions of both standard and rare variants, significant discussion of the pistols mechanical characteristics and potential safety problems is presented. Also covered are the more modern commercial CZ 75 and CZ 85, the military model 82, and the commercial CZ 83, as are small caliber target pistols and signal pistols.[AuthorName]By James D. Brown[/AuthorName][AuthorBio]James D. “Jim” Brown, a native of Davidson, NC, was born in 1949 and has been a shooter and collector of military weapons for most of his life. He volunteered for the draft in 1968 and served with the Fourth Infantry Division in Vietnam, attaining the rank of Sergeant and earning the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He utilized the GI Bill to earn a BS Degree With Honors from NC State University in 1974, followed by two years of graduate study. In 1978 he joined the US Forest Service, working as a forester on five national forests and as a specialist in the Southern Regional Office in Atlanta, GA until retiring in 2008. He developed skills as a writer-editor through years of data analysis and reporting and ha contributed numerous articles to firearms collecting periodicals. In 2003 he co-authored Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893-1945 with the late Harry L. Derby III, followed by the Collector’s Guide to Imperial Japanese Handguns 1893-1945 in 2007. In 2009 he published Cold War Pistols of Czechoslovakia and has continued the study of Czech arms through today. Jim Resides in Buford, GA with Sue, his wife of 49 years.[/AuthorBio][NumIllustration]over 280 color/bw images[/NumIllustration][CoAuthor][/CoAuthor][SubTitle][/SubTitle][ColorPattern]over 280 color/bw images[/ColorPattern]