Designer František Myška Weight 32 ounces (910 g) | Place of origin Czechoslovakia Produced 1939–45 | |
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Manufacturer Česká zbrojovka Strakonice | ||
The vz. 38 is a Semi-automatic pistol manufactured from 1939 until 1945 chambered in .380 ACP (in Europe called 9 × 17 mm Browning Short). The barrel is attached to the frame by a hinge, allowing for very easy disassembly. Certain aspects of the pistol are covered by Czechoslovakian patent 65558 which may also be found as Finish patent FI18533(A) from 1939.
The pistol was never used by the Czech military, as the vz. 38 orders were not delivered yet when Germany occupied Czechoslovakia in 1938. Several vz. 38s, modified to have a manual safety, were exported to Bulgaria before the German occupation. Most of the pistols saw service in Greater German police and security forces, and despite several issues the vz. 38 was still in production until 1945.