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Has anyone ever heard of a BRNO made sniper from the late 80s - early 90s?

USMCsean

Former Jarhead
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Feb 22, 2014
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    Ohio
    Here is a BRNO 537 rifle that is very reminiscent of a Vz.54/91. If you look at the shape of the stock in the wrist, palm swell, buttstock, even the butt pad. Appears to be a heavy barreled action in 7.62. I can't seem to find pictures of anything similar.


    BRNO 537.jpg


    Vz.54-91.jpg
     
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    Has anyone ever heard of a BRNO made sniper from the late 80s - early 90s?​

    I have never heard of a BRNO sniper rifle. Based on what I have read, they reportedly made sporting rifles during that era.
    The two military sniper rifles used by Czechoslovakia include the VZ.54 followed by the Russian Dragnov, which was presumably used up through the 1980s and at least early 1990s (before they broke free of the Russian/Soviet subjugation). Could BRNO have made some prototype sniper rifles after 1990 when it was privatized, for the military or law enforcement to evaluate? Yes, that is theoretically possible, but I have never seen anything in my reference books that referred to a BRNO-made military sniper rifle. That's all I know.
    Also following World War II, the factory was nationalized and became known as Zbrojovka Brno. It was subject to socialist rule until 1989, but most of its firearms production was redirected to sporting arms that garnered a reputation for being dependable and rugged. These rifles made their way throughout Europe and became popular throughout Africa.

    The Brno factory was privatized in 1990 following the end of the Warsaw Pact. On January 1, 1993, Czechoslovakia separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia as they are known today. In 2008, Česká zbrojovka (CZ) a.s. Uherský Brod acquired Zbrojovka Brno and continued making high-grade single shot and double rifles, combination guns, as well as over/under shotguns for competition and hunting. Though most of us are familiar with CZ firearms, many have never heard of the Brno name due to the small numbers of firearms in U.S. circulation.

    vz.54​

    While Czechoslovakia was a part of the eastern bloc, it did a pretty thorough job of developing its own weapons rather than use standard Russian designs. For example, the vz52 pistol, vz52, 52/57, and 58 rifles, the uk59 light machine gun, and more. Well, their military sniper rifle was closer to Russian origin, but still not the same.

    The vz.54 sniper was made from 1954 until 1957, and served for many years, until replaced by the Dragunov. It was at heart a Mosin-Nagant rifle, but outfitted with a semi-pistol-grip stock, distinctive Czech scope mount, and a few other features. It was chambered for the standard 7.62x54R cartridge, and was capable of excellent accuracy.

    ...
    .that fact that Ian from Forgotten Weapons didn't mention BRNO in the above description sort-of supports my impression that Czech company made only sporting arms back then. My 2cts.