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{{Infobox weapon
The '''Vz 50''' (also incorrectly known as the CZ 50) is a Czech semi-automatic pistol.
| name = vz. 50 (cz. 50)
| image = CZ50Side1.jpg
| image_size = 300
| origin = [[Czechoslovak Socialist Republic]]
| type = [[Semi-automatic pistol]]
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_ranged = yes
<!-- Service history -->
| service =
| used_by = [[Police of the Czech Republic|Czech Republic police]]<br>[[Syrian Arab Army]]<ref name="Arabs2">{{cite book|title=Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars (2)|url=https://archive.org/details/arabarmiesmiddle02katz|url-access=limited|series=Men-at-Arms 128|first= Sam |last=Katz |date=24 Mar 1988|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=9780850458008|page=[https://archive.org/details/arabarmiesmiddle02katz/page/n41 43]}}</ref>
| wars = <!-- Production history -->
| designer =
| design_date = 1940s
| manufacturer =
| unit_cost =
| production_date = 1940s-1970
| number =
| variants = [[Vz. 70]]
<!-- General specifications -->
| weight = {{convert|710|g|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|165|mm|abbr=on}}
| part_length = {{convert|96|mm|abbr=on}}
| width =
| height =
| diameter = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge = [[.32 ACP]]
| action = [[Blowback (firearms)|blowback]]
| rate =
| velocity =
| range =
| max_range =
| feed = 8 or 9-round box [[Magazine (firearm)|magazine]]
| sights = front blade and rear notch
}}
{{lowercase|vz. 50}}
The '''Vz. 50''' (also known as the CZ 50) is a Czechoslovakian made double-action, semi-automatic pistol. Vz is an abbreviation of the Czech (as well as Slovak) term "vzor" meaning model.


==History==
==History==

===Design===
===Design===
After the [[Second World War]], Czechoslovakia's Ministry of the Interior requested a new pistol design from [[Česká Zbrojovka Uherský Brod|Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod]]. The resulting gun was chambered in [[.32 ACP]] and designed by two brothers Jan and Jaroslav Kratochvíl. It combined elements from both the [[Walther PP]] and PPK.<ref name="Fitzsimons1969">{{cite book|last=Fitzsimons|first=Bernard|title=The Illustrated encyclopedia of 20th century weapons and warfare|volume=24|year=1969|publisher=Columbia House|location=New York|page=638}}</ref> The pistol is fed from an 8-round single-stack magazine, located within the [[bakelite]] paneled grip. Small fixed sights are located on top of the slide. The pistol functions via the blowback principle - gas pressure from burning powder simultaneously forces the cartridge case and slide backward and forces the bullet forward in the barrel. After it reaches the end of its rearward travel, the recoil spring returns the slide to its forward position, stripping and chambering a new round from the magazine as it does so, rendering the gun ready to fire again. Hammer and trigger operation is single and double action.<ref name="Traister1996"/><ref name="Fitzsimons1969"/>

After the Second World War the Ministry of the Interior requested a new pistol design from [[Ceska Zbrojovka]]. The resulting pistol in .32 ACP was designed by two brothers Jan and Jaroslav Kratchovil and closely copied from the [[Walther PP]].


===Manufacture===
===Manufacture===
Vz. 50s were sold commercially but most were distributed to police agencies under control of the Ministry of the Interior. They were produced initially at [[Strakonice]] and later at [[Uherský Brod]]. Manufacture ended in 1970 with the refinement of the pistol in a new model known as the Vz. 70.<ref name="Traister1996">{{cite book|last=Traister|first=John|title=Gun Trader's Guide|date=1 July 1996|publisher=Stoeger Publishing Company|isbn=978-0-88317-193-6|page=63}}</ref>


==Markings==
Vz 50s were sold commercially but most were produced for police agencies under the control of the Ministry of the Interior. Vz 50s were produced initially at Strakonice and later at Uhersky Brod.
⚫
===Serial numbers===
⚫
Serial numbers start at 650001, continuing from the discontinued [[vz. 27]] serial number range. Pistols manufactured at the Strakonice factory end in the 740000 range. Pistols manufactured at Uhersky Brod have 5 digit serial numbers preceded by a letter (which may change in the middle of a number series).<ref name="Traister1996"/>


===Vz 70===
===Date stamp===
⚫
On the Vz.70, the last two digits of the year of manufacture are stamped on the left rear of the slide next to the proof stamp (a lion superimposed on an "N").<ref name="Traister1996"/>


⚫
===Government property stamp===
In 1970 several cosmetic changes were made to the Vz 50 and the new pistol was designated the [[Vz 70]].
Vz 50s bearing a stamp of crossed swords indicates they were government property.<ref name="Traister1996"/>


==Markings==
==Variants==


In 1970, an update of the Vz. 50 was released with minor cosmetic changes and internal improvements called the Vz. 70 (also known as CZ 70).<ref name="Fitzsimons1969"/> These changes included:
⚫
===Serial numbers===
* New grip shape with a larger recess (Called the "tang") for the web between thumb and finger.
* Milling on the trigger guard was changed to a more blended merge with the frame, removing sharp angles.
* New grip pattern using a grid of dimples instead of grooves.
* Top of the slide is engraved with a fine wave pattern to reduce glare.
* Serial number is stamped on the slide under the ejection port instead of below and behind it.
* Slide serrations are wider and there are more of them.
* Take down lever has a cross hatched instead of grooved surface.
* Larger hammer with a hole in it.
* Smaller magazine release.
* Magazines have new base with a more angular and less curved shape
* Grip extension via a modified floor-plate on the magazine (for the [[pinky finger]]).


== See also ==
⚫
Serial numbers start at 650001, continuing from the discontinued [[Vz 27]] serial number range. Pistols manufactured at the Strakonice factory end in the 740000 range. Pistols manufactured at Uhersky Brod have 5 digit serial numbers preceded by a letter (which can change in the middle of a serial number series).
* [[Česká zbrojovka firearms]]
* [[Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod]] firearms manufacturer
* [[Police of the Czech Republic]]


===Date stamp===
==References==
{{reflist}}

⚫
The last two digits of the year of manufacture are stamped on the left rear of the slide next to the proof stamp (a lion superimposed on an "N").

⚫
===Government property stamp===


==External links==
Many Vz 50s bear the crossed sword government property stamp.
* [http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg/chex/cz-50-cz-70-e.html World Guns, Modern Firearms, Handguns" ''Cz-50 / vz.50 and Cz-70 / vz.70 pistols (Czechoslovakia)'']
* [http://www.czfirearms.us The Original CZ Forum]
* [http://www.czforum.com CZ Forum]
* [http://www.handgunforum.net/cz/ CZ - Handgun Forum]
* [http://www.cztalk.com/forum.php CZ Firearm Forum]
* [http://www.hlebooks.com/ebook/cz70en.htm Ebook: CZ-70 pistol explained]
{{Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}


[[Category:Semi-automatic pistols of Czechoslovakia]]
{{firearms-stub}}
[[Category:.32 ACP semi-automatic pistols]]

Latest revision as of 05:35, 3 September 2024

vz. 50 (cz. 50)
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originCzechoslovak Socialist Republic
Service history
Used byCzech Republic police
Syrian Arab Army[1]
Production history
Designed1940s
Produced1940s-1970
VariantsVz. 70
Specifications
Mass710 g (25 oz)
Length165 mm (6.5 in)
Barrel length96 mm (3.8 in)
Cartridge.32 ACP
Actionblowback
Feed system8 or 9-round box magazine
Sightsfront blade and rear notch

The Vz. 50 (also known as the CZ 50) is a Czechoslovakian made double-action, semi-automatic pistol. Vz is an abbreviation of the Czech (as well as Slovak) term "vzor" meaning model.

History

[edit]

Design

[edit]

After the Second World War, Czechoslovakia's Ministry of the Interior requested a new pistol design from Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod. The resulting gun was chambered in .32 ACP and designed by two brothers Jan and Jaroslav Kratochvíl. It combined elements from both the Walther PP and PPK.[2] The pistol is fed from an 8-round single-stack magazine, located within the bakelite paneled grip. Small fixed sights are located on top of the slide. The pistol functions via the blowback principle - gas pressure from burning powder simultaneously forces the cartridge case and slide backward and forces the bullet forward in the barrel. After it reaches the end of its rearward travel, the recoil spring returns the slide to its forward position, stripping and chambering a new round from the magazine as it does so, rendering the gun ready to fire again. Hammer and trigger operation is single and double action.[3][2]

Manufacture

[edit]

Vz. 50s were sold commercially but most were distributed to police agencies under control of the Ministry of the Interior. They were produced initially at Strakonice and later at Uherský Brod. Manufacture ended in 1970 with the refinement of the pistol in a new model known as the Vz. 70.[3]

Markings

[edit]

Serial numbers

[edit]

Serial numbers start at 650001, continuing from the discontinued vz. 27 serial number range. Pistols manufactured at the Strakonice factory end in the 740000 range. Pistols manufactured at Uhersky Brod have 5 digit serial numbers preceded by a letter (which may change in the middle of a number series).[3]

Date stamp

[edit]

On the Vz.70, the last two digits of the year of manufacture are stamped on the left rear of the slide next to the proof stamp (a lion superimposed on an "N").[3]

Government property stamp

[edit]

Vz 50s bearing a stamp of crossed swords indicates they were government property.[3]

Variants

[edit]

In 1970, an update of the Vz. 50 was released with minor cosmetic changes and internal improvements called the Vz. 70 (also known as CZ 70).[2] These changes included:

  • New grip shape with a larger recess (Called the "tang") for the web between thumb and finger.
  • Milling on the trigger guard was changed to a more blended merge with the frame, removing sharp angles.
  • New grip pattern using a grid of dimples instead of grooves.
  • Top of the slide is engraved with a fine wave pattern to reduce glare.
  • Serial number is stamped on the slide under the ejection port instead of below and behind it.
  • Slide serrations are wider and there are more of them.
  • Take down lever has a cross hatched instead of grooved surface.
  • Larger hammer with a hole in it.
  • Smaller magazine release.
  • Magazines have new base with a more angular and less curved shape
  • Grip extension via a modified floor-plate on the magazine (for the pinky finger).

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Katz, Sam (24 March 1988). Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars (2). Men-at-Arms 128. Osprey Publishing. p. 43. ISBN 9780850458008.
  2. ^ a b c Fitzsimons, Bernard (1969). The Illustrated encyclopedia of 20th century weapons and warfare. Vol. 24. New York: Columbia House. p. 638.
  3. ^ a b c d e Traister, John (1 July 1996). Gun Trader's Guide. Stoeger Publishing Company. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-88317-193-6.
[edit]

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