Czechoslovakian Flare Pistols: vz 44/67 and vz 44/81

In 1951, Czechoslovakia received the technical data package for the Soviet SPSh flare pistol. This was a simple single shot break-action 26.5mm signal flare launcher, and they put it into production from 1952 through 1958. However, it was made with mediocre materials and the guns wore out in as few a 1,000 rounds fired. In 1966 the CZ factory at Uhersky Brod began a program to improve the guns and make a new batch.

They improved the steel alloy used, enlarged the barrel pivot hinge, chrome lined the bore, and changed the finish to enamel paint over phosphating. The service life was improved to 3,500 rounds, and 24,808 were made in 1968 and 1969 (with the last few assembled from parts in 1970).

In 1980 another production run was deemed necessary, and CZ made a few minot improvements before restarting manufacture. The barrel latch and hammer were made a bit more ergonomic and the grips textured. Another 40,009 were made between 1981 and 1983. The two examples in today’s video are surplus from Slovakian Army inventory, recently imported into the US by RTI.

Thanks to Royal Tiger Imports for providing these two pieces for filming!

Thanks to Landofliberty.cz for the Jan Žižka shirt:
https://www.landofliberty.cz