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Title:	PISTOL, SEMI-AUTOMATIC -  CZECH PISTOL VZ27 (P27(t)) 7.65MM SN# 85217
Maker/Manufacturer:	MYSKA, FRANTISEK
Date of Manufacture:	1939-1944
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 989
Measurements:	OL: 16CM 6 3/8" BL: 9.5CM 3 3/4" 25 oz.

Object Description:

CZECH PISTOL VZ27 (P27(t)) 7.65MM SN# 85217
Manufactured by Bohmische Waffenfabrik, Strakonice, Czechoslovakia - Standard Czech VZ27 semiautomatic pistol made under German occupation in WWII. Exposed hammer with shielding on both sides, blue finish, checkered plastic grips, with 8-round feed mechanism. Weapon weighs approximately 25 oz. No magazine but otherwise complete and in excellent condition.

Markings:
Frame: 85217. Right side: WaA76. 85217.
Slide: BOHMISCHE WAFFENFABRIK A.G., WaA76 85217. Left side: PISTOLE MODELL 27 KAL. 7.65. Grips: CZ logo.
Barrel: German acceptance stamps.

Notes: "Based on a design by Josef Nicki - an employee of Waffernfabrik Mauser prior to World War I - the VZ27 design was simplified by Frantisek Myska for more cost-effective production. It was produced by the Ceska Zbrojovka factory in Brno, Czechoslovakia. The plant's initials, CZ, have been a well-known trademark for decades. Solid-Tested Design - The VZ27 was a single-action, straight blowback operated pistol with an exposed hammer, a good safety feature for military or police use. The barrel is not fixed to the frame like the Walther PP design, but is removable, more like the Browning pocket pistol designs. The safety lock, engaged by pushing down a lever and disengaged by pressing a button above the lever, was pure Mauser in design. Other design features reminiscent of the Mauser Model 1914 are evident when one views a disassembled VZ27. This is not surprising; Nicki had a great deal of respect for his former employers, even though they did not give him as much as creative leeway as he desired.
The strength, simplicity, and reliability of the VZ27 accounted for its wide acceptance. When the Germans occupied Czechoslovakia, they immediately saw the potential of the VZ27 as a secondary military sidearm and for police and Luftwaffe use. Rather than destroying the factory, the occupying forces renamed it Bohmische Waffenfabrik A.G. (Bohemian Arms Factory Stock Company), and maintained full production.
The VZ27 remained in production until 1951. Approximately 600,000 were manufactured. After the 1948 revolution, the company's name was again changed - this time to Ceska Zbrojovka Narodni Podnik (Bohemian Arms Factory People's Enterprise).
Although the VZ27 provided excellent service throughout its career, the Czech military also adopted a pistol, the VZ38, acknowledged as one of clumsiest semi-auto designs ever. The VZ38 was double-action-only using a 9mm Short (.380 ACP) cartridge. It was in service only from 1938 to 1945." - Atlas Editions

References:
Ezell, Edward C. HANDGUNS OF THE WORLD. Stackpole Books. Harrisburg, Pa. 1981.
Hogg, Ian & John Weeks. PISTOLS OF THE WORLD. DBI Books, Inc. Northbrook, Il. 1992.
Miller, David. THE ILLUSTRATED DIRECTORY OF 20TH CENTURY GUNS. Salamander Books Limited. London, England. 2001.