1077 SCARCE PRE WWII CZECHOSLOVAKIAN VZ35 TRAINING AIR

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This item SOLD at 2023 May 12 @ 11:36UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,000.00 USD
Estimated at 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
RIFLE. Cal. 4.4mm. S# 2952 . Bbl. 21 1/4". Nearly 10,000 of these air rifles were produced in Czechoslovakia by 2 factories, Brno which used the letter "E" to mark their rifles & Strakonice which used the letter "J". This rifle is marked on top of the receiver w/ the Czech "Rampant Lion" crest. Also marked "CESKA ZBROJOVKA A.S. V PRAZE" & "VZ.35". Feed hopper is marked on left side with "J" indicating mfg. by Strakonice factory & is additionally marked w/ Rampant Lion acceptance mark & "35". Tangent rear sight graduated to 25 meters; inverted V front sight. These rifles were mfg. to the general weight & features of the VZ.24 service rifles including a bayonet bar. Stock tip is drilled for cleaning rod. Milled H Type upper band. Band is retained by cross pin & marked w/ Rampant Lion "34". The lower band has an integral bracket at the top, likely for a sighting device. The band is retained by a machine screw acting as a clamp on the bottom leaving no provision for a sling swivel. Hardwood stock set w/ grasping grooves; side swivel on left side of grip & standard swivel at belly of stock. Flat steel buttplate. Rifle is operated by turning the bolt handle to a vertical position from which it pivots backward to cock the rifle. Rifle is equipped w/ a rotating safety to replicate a VZ.24 type safety. Pellets are loaded in a hopper behind the rear sight & retained by a spring loaded cover. CONDITION: stock set has original appearing finish but w/ visible sanding marks from the manufacturing process. Stock set also has light wear, staining & handling marks. Butt stock has sm. crack on right side at buttplate plus several sm. missing chips at toe area. Metal parts have 80% original blue w/ thinning wear & handling marks. Lower band has flaking black finish turning patina. Rifle appears mechanically functional. Good shiny bore w/ visible rifling. PROVENANCE: Dr. Fred Novy collection. (02-19462/RW). NON-GUN. $2,000-3,000.