Brno

[Grumpy]

Members might be interested to know that Zbrojovka Brno a.s. recently ceased trading due to bankruptcy however the good news is that a new company - BRNO Rifles s.r.o - has been established employing 29 of the former employees and utilising much of the Zbrojovka Brno a.s. production machinery. The new company is 100% owned by Eximat a.s. who are the major shareholders in CZ ( Ceska Zbrojovka a.s. ) The new owners are intent on maintaining rifle and shotgun production in the city of Brno.
Now perhaps people will believe me when I tell them that CZ and Brno are separate concerns - it really annoys me when people describe CZs as `Brnos`.

[Mack The Knife]

In which corner would you like me to kneel?

I knew they were seperate companies but the owner of the ZH-302 kept refering to it as a CZ Brno.....

Mack The Knife

[Grumpy]

Yeah, and `Brno CZ`....... and B.R.N.O. - how do you get four stops into the name of a city ?

[Mack The Knife]

Incidentally, was leafing through the 2000/2001 issue of the Frankonia catalogue and I saw that the ZH-302 was being sold under the Brunner name - 12 bore O/U, combination and double rifle.

Mack The Knife

[Grumpy]

Listen............Hear that echo ? Incredibly long - must be two or three weeks since you first told me that.
Never mind Dodger.......everything has woken up except your memory - you need to try some `snap, crackle and pop` in the mornings - that`ll get you going !

[Mack The Knife]

Listen............Hear that echo ? Incredibly long - must be two or three weeks since you first told me that.

Yes but you do tend to forget...

Okay, I admit it's me that requires those memory pills. Any recommendations, Grumps?

Mack The Knife

[mehulkamdar]

Incidentally, was leafing through the 2000/2001 issue of the Frankonia catalogue and I saw that the ZH-302 was being sold under the Brunner name - 12 bore O/U, combination and double rifle.

Mack The Knife

"Brunner" is German for the town of Brno in Czechoslovakia. I doubt that any Brnos were ever so marked except, possibly during German occupation in WW-2.

Mehul

[Grumpy]

Dodger, as you well know, I`m the last person to ask about failing memory
Something that I do remember though is suggesting that `Brunner` might be the German for Brno...................
Anyway, it`s good to know that Brno - the gunmakers - has, like the Phoenix, risen from the ashes.
Now would anyone like to ask me why I didn`t buy a Brno double rifle ?

[mehulkamdar]

Gentlemen,

The German name for Brno is Brun, hence the term "brunner" for "made in Brun." The city is, as oyu know, home to the ancient Czech gunmaking trade with several factories that used the name "Brno" after WW-2, the famous Brno rifle plant, the state owned CZ plant that produced some rifles and pistols for civilian use under the Brno name and handgun makers like Alfa and Kora-Brno who made high grade revolvers and revolver carbines.

Grumpy,

Heym USA who were trying to import the Brno rifles before the company went into receivership and was bought by Eximat announced on the Nitro Express forums that the renewed Brno company would only be building the high grade rifles under the Brno name - the Damascus barreled beauties that any gun lover would lust after - and not the basic rifle range which Heym were planning to market in the USA for $ 950 with a basic stock and without engraving. Apparently the CZ company ahs finally been able to convince the BATFE that Damascus barreled 9.3x62 and 30-06 Mauser actioned rifles are not "destructive devices" and the guns are due to be imported into the US after the Dallas Safari Club convention in January.

Now why doesn't every gun lover win the Lotto?

Mehul

[Mack The Knife]

Brno = Brunner. Interesting tit-bit there.

Thanks!

[Grumpy]

Mehul. Brno - the old company - were making rather nice rifles before they became insolvent. The wood was of a good quality and very highly finished. Eximat have stated that they intend to continue to make the Brno 801 series O/U shotguns - probably because CZ only build rifles. I`ll try and find out what the situation is regarding the rifles but I suspect that the use of damascus steel will be a low priority for the time being.

[mehulkamdar]

Grumpy,

The announcement from CZ is here.

If you note, they are planning to continue production of custom guns and this includes shotguns and other firearms, presumably some of the fine rifles and Kora Brno revolvers and revolver carbines. Johan tells me that the Brno company has several thousand Mauser actions in stock. I am presuming that they would use these until supplies run out. The actions are definitely superior to the 550 series of CZ actions and I doubt that Eximat would give up the opportunity to encash on a premium product when they buy the Brno company.

Heym USA are one of the sponsors on Nitroexpress.com and they are going to market the Damascus barreled custom rifles exclusively from what I have heard.

Cheers,

Mehul

[Grumpy]

Alternatively one could visit the main CZ website where you you will find the following :


Information concerning BRNO RIFLES, s.r.o. [18.10.2006]


The BRNO RIFLES, s.r.o. Company engaged on 16th October 2006 into employment 29 employees of former Firearms Production Division of Zbrojovka Brno a.s., the estate of which is currently under bankruptcy proceedings.

The objectives of BRNO RIFLES, s.r.o. is to reassume the world-acclaimed tradition associated with firearms produced by Zbrojovka Brno, especially in the field of shotguns production.

Yesterday’s engagement of work force meant culmination of longtime process bound to keep the firearms production in Brno. BRNO RIFLES, s.r.o. adopted to this day also many other measures for advancement to this goal. Among others put up for auction the machinery and equipment needed for shotguns production and took over other assets associated with this type of manufacturing activities.

BRNO RIFLES, s.r.o. is a business entity, which is in 100% ownership and possession of EXIMAT a.s, the Company which at the same time is the majority shareholder of Česká zbrojovka a.s. Uherský Brod.

Heym might be planning the exclusive marketing of the `up market` Brno production but Eximats` initial aim is to secure the financial future of the new `Brno Rifles s.r.o.` company. As far as I can ascertain, all the previous models will continue in production for the time being however there will, no doubt, be revisions when and where necessary. Their stated aim ( above ) is to maintain the production of shotguns. This suggests that the production of rifles will not be a priority which makes sense as they would be competing directly against CZ. Obviously there will be a rationalisation of the product line. Brnos` almost unique experience of the use of damascus steels in firearms manufacture must stand them in good stead.
Good luck to them.

[Johan]

Grumpy

Ask them to start making ZG-47's and Brno m-21a and m-22's again. A magnum action suitable for 375, 404, 416Rigby, 450Rigby rimless, 505 would be fantastic.

I would like them use standard mauser trigger, a winchester style safety on the shroud, magazine box and floorplate in “one unit”. Better finish and rust bluing!!

If the need arises I would be delighted to help them out with the features, looks and filed testing, as consultant. Czech's make great beer and even better guns..


I got four ZG-47 rifles and needs a few more....... maybe I should get a damascus barrel for one my ZG-47 ?

Brno used to make a very interesting semi auto(recoil operated) shotgun…

Cheers
Johan

[Grumpy]

Johan, Brno used to make a Magnum Mauser action years ago.....but that was before the Brno/CZ `split` and the CZ 550 is the current version. If the new company were to offer a magnum Mauser I suspect that they would have to buy the actions from CZ as they obviously don`t have the tooling to produce the actions theselves.
Don`t you think that the Brnos had better bluing, wood and finish than the equivalent CZs ? In recent years anyway. I think that their rifles were fantastic value for money - even better than CZ.
It looks like the new Brno Rifles company will be specialising in shotguns and more upmarket rifles. There is no sense in them competing directly against CZ especially when their owners are also the major shareholders in CZ.