Rare "SA" Finnish Marked CZ vz-38 / P.39(t)
 

I recently acquired this rare "SA" marked CZ vz-38, also known in Germany as the P.39(t).

Both the receiver and magazine are marked with the boxed SA cartouche.

Under 1,000 of these are known to have survived WW-II, and many were brought into the US in the 1980's. This might have been a war bring back since it is not import marked.

This is one of the very first double action only DAO semi-automatic handguns. It's in .380 ACP (9mm kurz) caliber, and quite massive for the caliber of the ammunition. It is direct blow-back from an unlocked breach, and has an unusual barrel mounting arrangement with a hinge at the front of the firearm.

These were manufactured in 1939 and 1940 and all done after Germany entered Czechoslovakia. About 40,000 total were produced. They were mainly used by second echelon police and military in Germany and made available to Finland and some other axis countries.

Proof marks with year of manufacture are on the right side of the frame. The SA cartouche is on the left side of the receiver slide. The heraldic lion symbol of Czechoslovakia is on the barrel (visible at the ejection port) and the top of the receiver slide.

Take down is particularly easy for cleaning. Just push the latch on the left side and lift the slide.

Very nice!
Have never seen one.
Thanks
Bob

Downloadable Publication on this pistol - Android APP also available
 

Download page : http://www.hlebooks.com/ebook/CZ38EN.htm

Thanks, that is a new one to me. It does look to be quite large for a .380 caliber pistol.

I had the pre-war civilian version for a short while - its a big gun for .380 :)

Nice find, well done :)

Ed

That's pretty sweet. I love the variety of the Finn marked pistols.