BRNO

As more history is becoming available on this important European trademark, the following biographical sketch will provide some information. Circa 1918, some military personnel took over the controlling interest of the Austro-Hungarian armament shop in Brno, Czechoslovakia, renaming it The State Armament and Engineering Works. Approximately a year later, the name was changed to Czechoslovak State Armament Works. The former provinces of Bohemia and Moravia had long been firearms manufacturing centers within their regions. Prior to 1924, this firm was involved mainly with Mauser Model 98 type rifles (both assembly and mfg.).
Pistol manufacture was tranferred from Brno to Ceská Zbrojovka, located in Strakonice, Czechoslovakia, circa 1923. During 1964-1966, the Czech government transferred the production of long guns from Zbrojovka Brno to Ceská Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod. During the 1970s & 1980s, the arms production of Zbrojovka Brno accounted for less than 3% of its total capacity. The activities of this company were deverted into the production of typewriters, diesel motors, and automatic machine tools. While many firearm designs originated in Brno, Zbrojovka Brno was not the manufacturer. Because of this, the long guns manufactured in the mid-1960s, including the ZKK 600 - 602 series and ZKM rimfires, were manufactured in CZ Uhersky Brod. Because of the Czech government's decision to merge manufacture within both companies, the Brno trademark was also used by Ceská Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod.
This relationship was terminated in 1983, when both companies became part of the Agrozet conglomerate. While confusing, the arms utlizing the Brno trademark were not produced in Brno during this time. All firearms exported from Czechoslovakia at the time carried the Brno logo, and most of them were manufactured by Ceská Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod.
Brno was declared bankrupt in March 2003. Shortly after, Brno emerged from bankruptcy, but fell back in during Oct. 2003. The company continued to trade under administration until Zbrojovka Brno finally closed in 2006. The facilities were bought by a Slovak firm, and the owners wanted to support various business activities in the future. The majority of the firm's employees transferred to Brno Rifles a subsidiary of Ceska Zbrojovka (CZ), which was established in Brno to continue production of Brno firearms. Please refer to Brno Rifles for current manufacture.
Brno's famous Z banner trademark was sold to an undisclosed buyer on November 6, 2007.
Previously manufactured by Zbrojovka Brno located in Brno, Czech Republic (formerly Czechoslovakia) from 1918-2006. Brno 98 bolt action rifles and actions were imported by EAA Corp, located in Sharpes, FL until 2002. Also previously imported and distributed by Euro-Imports, located in El Cajon, CA until 2001 and by Bohemia Arms located in Fountain Valley, CA until 1997. Brno rifles, shotguns, and combination guns produced at the Brno factory were previously imported and distributed by Magnum Research Inc. located in Minneapolis, MN (c. 1994-1996). In the early ´50s, Brno rifles were imported by Continental Arms Corp. located in New York City. Pragotrade located in Ontario, Canada also imported this trademark for Canada exclusively. Previously imported by T.D. Arms located in New Baltimore, MD.
BRNO logo

BRNO Firearms Models

HORNET SPORTER (MODEL ZKW 465) Image

HORNET SPORTER (MODEL ZKW 465)

various cals., miniature Mauser action, 22 3/4 in. barrel, 5 shot box mag., 3-leaf express sight, double set trigger(s), checkered pistol grip stock, also called Z-B Mauser, serial range noted is 00111-38262, approx. 40,000 mfg. between 194...

ZP-49 Image

ZP-49

12 ga. only, ejectors, double triggers, true sidelock, Purdey-type top bolt, cocking indicators, walnut stock, swivels. Imported 1986-91.

ZH-300 SHOTGUN Image

ZH-300 SHOTGUN

12 ga. only, double triggers with rear trigger doubling as single trigger, 27 1/2 in. barrels, 7 lbs. Imported 1986-92.

ZK-05 Image

ZK-05

various cals., upgraded variation of the ZK-99, set trigger, many other design improvements.

ZKM-611 Image

ZKM-611

.17 HMR (new 2006), .22 WMR cal., 20 1/2 in. barrel, 6, 10 (C/B 1994), or 12* shot mag., black metal finish, beechwood (new 1996) or checkered walnut stock and forend, grooved receiver, 6.2 lbs.

ZKR 551 Image

ZKR 551

.32 S&W Long or .38 Spl. cal., double action, solid frame with Colt SAA style shrouded ejector rod, 6 shot cylinder, adj. sights, checkered wood grips with thumb rest, 6 in. barrel, approx. 2 lbs. Imported 1999-2002.

ZP-149 Image

ZP-149

12 ga., similar to ZP-49, except has game scene engraving on sideplates, choice of English or pistol grip stock. Imported 1986-1998.

MODEL ZG-47 Image

MODEL ZG-47

.270 Win., .30-06, 7x57mm, 7x64mm, 8x64S, 8x57mm, 9.3x62mm, or 10.75x68mm cal., large ring Mauser 98 action with 20mm dovetails on receiver ring and bridge, single trigger, hinged floorplate, rollover type safety and bolt handle designed fo...

ZK 99 Image

ZK 99

various cals., break open action with top lever, quarter rib on barrel, checkered walnut stock with cheekpiece and Schnabel forearm, includes swivels and slings, 5 3/4 lbs. Imported 2000-2003.

SUPER EXPRESS Image

SUPER EXPRESS

7x65R, 9.3x74R, .375 H&H, or .458 Win. Mag. (disc.) cal., sidelock action with Kersten breech crossbolt, hand engraved, skipline checkering, approx. 9 lbs. Importation disc. 1992.

ZP-349 Image

ZP-349

12 ga. only, extractors, double triggers, true sidelock, Purdey-type top bolt, cocking indicators, walnut stock with cheekpiece, beavertail forearm, swivels, 7.3 lbs. Imported 1986 only.

MODEL ZKB-110 Image

MODEL ZKB-110

.22 Hornet, .222 Rem., 5.6x52R, 5.6x50R Mag., 6.5x57R (disc. 1999), 7x57R (disc. 1999), or 8x57JRS (disc. 1999) cal., single shot break open rifle/shotgun, top lever opening, 23.6 in. barrel, uncheckered (Standard Model) or checkered walnut...

SUPER SAFARI Image

SUPER SAFARI

7x64R, .375 H&H Mag., or 9.3x74R cal., action derived from the Super Express, sidelock, DT with set trigger built in, adj. point of impact, 23.6 in. barrels with open sights, deluxe skipline checkered walnut stock and forearm with vent....

MODEL 21 Image

MODEL 21

6.5x57mm, 7x57mm, 7x64mm (scarce), 8x57mm, or 8x60mm cal., featherweight style design of the small ring Mauser type action, with (post-1949) or without 20mm dovetails on receiver ring and bridge, 20 1/2 or 23 in. barrel, butterknife style b...

EFFECT Image

EFFECT

.30-06 cal., 23.6 in. barrel, single set trigger, light engraved blue receiver, iron sights, sling swivels, checkered walnut stock, 6 lbs.

ZH-344, 348, & 349 Image

ZH-344, 348, & 349

7x57R (Model ZH-344), 7x65R (Model ZH-348), or 8x57JRS (Model ZH-349) cal., 23.6 in. VR barrels, double triggers, skip line checkering, sling swivels, approx. 7 1/2 lbs. Imported 1998-disc.

ZH-300 SERIES COMBINATION GUNS Image

ZH-300 SERIES COMBINATION GUNS

7x57R x 12 ga. (ZH-304), 6x52R x 12 ga. (ZH-305), 6x50R Mag. x 12 ga. (ZH-306), .22 Hornet x 12 ga. (ZH-307), 7x65R x 12 ga. (ZH-308), 8x57JRS x 12 ga. (ZH-309), 7x57R x 16 ga. (ZH-324), 7x65R x 16 ga. (ZH-328), combination rifle/shotgun, o...

MODEL 1 Image

MODEL 1

.22 LR cal., 22 3/4 in. barrel, 3-leaf sight, 5 shot box mag., 6 lbs. Mfg. 1945-1957.

MODEL ZH-300 COMBO SET Image

MODEL ZH-300 COMBO SET

Model ZH-300 style engraving and features, equipped with 8 interchangeable O/U shotgun/shotgun and rifle/shotgun barrels in various gauges and calibers. Imported 1986-1991.

MODEL 2 Image

MODEL 2

similar to Model 1, except has 24.8 in. barrel and Mauser type tangent rear sight, walnut stock. Mfg. 1954-disc.

MODEL 3 Image

MODEL 3

.22 LR cal., target rifle model with 27 1/2 in. heavy barrel, adj. click target sights, 5 shot box mag., plain target style stock with large swivels, 9 1/2 lbs. Mfg. 1949-1956.

Model 500 Combo Set Image

Model 500 Combo Set

shotgun/rifle set comprised of 4 barrels including 12 ga. over barrels with choice of 5.6x52R (disc.), 7x57R, 7x65R, or 12 ga. under barrels (in either field, skeet, or trap chokings), sling swivels, set trigger on rifle/shotgun combo, chem...

MODEL 502 SERIES COMBINATION GUN Image

MODEL 502 SERIES COMBINATION GUN

12 ga. only, ejectors, combination shotgun/rifle available in .222 Rem., .243 Win., .30-06, .308 Win., and 4 metric cals., fixed choke, acid etched engraving, skipline checkering and cheekpiece. Imported 1986-2003.

BRNO 98 STANDARD Image

BRNO 98 STANDARD

.243 Win., .270 Win., .30-06, .308 Win., .300 Win. Mag., 6.5x55mm SE, 7mm Rem. Mag. (new 2000), 7x57mm, 7x64mm, 8x57 JS, or 9.3x62mm cal., Mauser 98 style action, 23.6 in. barrel with or without iron sights, checkered walnut stock with Bava...

Brno 98 Damask Image

Brno 98 Damask

similar cals. to Brno 98 Standard, features unique individually welded Damascus steel barrel (no two are identical). Seldomly encountered.

MODEL 801 SERIES SHOTGUN Image

MODEL 801 SERIES SHOTGUN

12 ga. only, 2 3/4 or 3 in. chambers, ejectors, SST, machine engraved receiver, checkered walnut stock and forearm, VR barrels with or without choke tubes, left-hand version in various configurations that include field, sporting, trap, and ...

MODEL 802 COMBINATION GUN Image

MODEL 802 COMBINATION GUN

12 ga., 3 in. chambers, various American and metric cals., includes set trigger, extractors, machined engraved receiver, checkered walnut stock and forearm, interchangeable barrels.

COMBO RIFLE/SHOTGUN Image

COMBO RIFLE/SHOTGUN

.243 Win., .30-06, or .308 Win. cal. over 12 ga., 23 1/2 in. barrels, black receiver, checkered pistol grip walnut stock, extractors, sling mount on barrel, shotgun barrel fired by rear trigger, front trigger has set function for precision ...

MODEL ZKM-456 LUX SPORTER Image

MODEL ZKM-456 LUX SPORTER

.22 LR cal., bolt action, 5 or 10 shot mag., 24.4 in. barrel, folding rear sight, blue finish, beechwood stock with pistol grip, 6.8 lbs., mfg. by Aeron. Imported 1992-1998.

Model 456 L/LK Target Image

Model 456 L/LK Target

.22 LR cal., Target variation of the ZKM-456 Lux featuring 25 or 28 in. barrel with adj. front and rear sights, 10.1 lbs., mfg. by Aeron. Imported 1992-1998.

Model 456 Match Single Shot Image

Model 456 Match Single Shot

.22 LR cal., designed for UIT competition at 50 M, features 27 1/2 in. barrel, adj. cheekpiece and buttplate, aperture sights, 9.9 lbs., mfg. by Aeron. Imported 1992-1998.