Indians For Guns

Many of us who grew up in rural India and were fortunate enough to have access to a Brno rim-fire (fathers, uncles, friends, club etc.) will always have a soft corner for these firearms. Many decades ago (when hunting was legal in India) as a teenager, I was fortunate enough have walked the hills and valleys around Belgaum Karnataka with a Brno No. 2. At that time it was the most beautiful firearm in the world to me, many decades later it still is. Sharing some pics for those who like me will always love them.



















Herb

Herb,

Absolutely! The nostalgia a Brno rimfire generates is matched by none. I too have some very fond memories with the Brno. You rifles look exquisite and and images trigger some wonderful images of the past, albeit with an oil soaked stock, heavily used and abused rifle pressed against the cheek while cousins shouted "Chala! Chala!".

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
SS

Wow!



Very nicely maintained, classic rifles herb - it would be great if you could provide descriptions for the three.

Marvellous! Do you have these with you abroad, Herb?

I myself am quite partial to these little rifles, Herb. Like them a lot. Lovely trio you have there. They all have prettier wood than the ones one usually comes across. I notice that all have hogback stocks. Any particular reason for that?

I remember well when the encyclopaedic Grumpy, at the first time we met at Bedford, made me shoulder a hogback/Bavarian stocked CZ. And then he made me shoulder a straight stocked rifle. The former helps a lot in instinctive shooting and you line up the sights a lot faster.

Thanks for sharing the photos, Herb.

Best-
Vikram

Beautiful wood grain and splendid condition specially the 3rd from left in the first pic. I too have a BRNO model 2 within the family and it's such a delight to fire with, enjoy with your beautiful guns.

Thanks!

ckkalyan wrote:Wow!



Very nicely maintained, classic rifles herb - it would be great if you could provide descriptions for the three.

They are CZ 452 2E Lux, two of them are in .22 LR, the one on the right and in subsequent photos are in .22 WMR. The one in the center is beech stock & the two on the sides are walnut.

ebenezer wrote:Marvellous! Do you have these with you abroad, Herb?

Yes, they are with me.

Vikram wrote: I notice that all have hogback stocks. Any particular reason for that?
Best-
Vikram

The gun I used was a hogback back then and the fondness for the hogback remained.

Herb

Wow Herb,
You truly won the wood lottery with those rifles.
A very nice trio!

Thanks herb for the specs - truly, Drooooooool - woodstock - beautiful tripura-sundari's! I must admit though, I have always loved the darker walnut!

Nice observation on the hogback butt stock Vikram - learned a new one today - thanks!

Indeed it's one of my favorite rifles as well. Was a part of my bucket list that I could fullfill. I bought mine in 1972, brand new, built in 1972 with a 12 groove rifling and paid Rs. 3200/ for it along with a complimentary box of Winchester H.P. ammo. Was scolded by friends for over paying, but I knew better and never regretted buying it till date. Lucky are the ones who possess this highly elegant, good looking and accurate rifle. The western side of the world was quite unaware of its existance for a long time as it lay hidden behind iron curtain. A few managed to sneak in into India, fortunately for our uncles and grand dads.
Cheers to Brno rifles.

Marksman

Beautiful beautiful rifles! I am in love with the stocks on them!

marksman wrote:I bought mine in 1972, brand new, built in 1972 with a 12 groove rifling and paid Rs. 3200/ for it along with a complimentary box of Winchester H.P. ammo. Was scolded by friends for over paying, but I knew better and never regretted buying it till date.

Marksman

Rs. 3200/- was a big chunk of money back then, but looking back now it is money well invested. Would love to see a picture or two of this rifle.

Lovely stocks Herb.... they make the world's best rimfire repeater even more lovable.

I grew up firing the Mark I and Mark IIs at my club and a.22 Hornet version we have at home... I have shot a few thousand rounds through them. And could go on and on and on...

Thanks for a great post that needs few words .... the deep feelings and nostalgia say it all



TC

i love those butts so much they look immaculate.who customized your guns,DIY?
regards
dr.

Herb, you must have been able to pick through a bunch of them to get that kind of wood. Usually they run pretty plain wood. The fanciest wood I ever got on a BRNO, on a 601 in .375 H&H, broke through the grip with the second shot, and the replacement was plain as a flooring board. They didn't seem to do any grading, it was a throw of the dice.