Czech VZ 52 SVT 40 Custom Variant 6.5 Grendel 26” Semi-Auto Rifle C&R ’55
SOLD FOR: $1,526.00
LSB#: WY240908BC039
Make: Czechoslovakia
Model: VZ 52 SVT 40 Variant
Serial Number: V16597
Year of Manufacture: 1955. VZ 52 and VZ 52/57 rifles were produced from 1952 to 1959.
Caliber: 6.5 Grendel (Re Bareled from original 7.62×45)
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Detachable 10 Round Magazine
Markings: The right side of the receiver is marked “circled T”. The left side of the receiver is marked “AYM/ 029” along with Cross Swords, “55”, and with the serial number. The magazine is marked with a few small stampings including a “star” and “U7”.
Barrel Length: Approximately 26 Inches.
The front of the barrel has a flash hider permanently attached. The front sight is protected by a hood.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post set in a block pinned to the barrel. The front sight is protected by a hood.
The rear sight is a “U” notched blade attached to a sliding escalator assembly that is marked from “1-9”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two-piece Sapele wood stock has a semi-pistol grip, finger grooves, metal shroud around the front end, through bolt, sling well with sling bar, and a detachable buttplate. A storage compartment is under the buttplate. The refinished buttplate is in good shape. The wood shows a balance consistent with little to no operation since the conversion has taken place. There are one or two compression marks. The LOP measures 13 1/8 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about excellent overall condition
Type of Finish: Blued, Plum, and Parkerized. Please see the photos to better understand the configuration.
Finish Originality: Refinished when converted to 6.5 Grendel SVT 40
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, and the rifling is sharp. There is light fouling in the grooves near the center of the barrel. There is no erosion or corrosion. This bore rates 10/10 in this writer’s opinion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its current metal finish. The different colors on this rifle come from different times and different guns. This rifle has a mixture of SVT 40 parts, VZ52 parts, and other custom parts to make it truly unique. The bolt is a plum color. The metal shows no notable scratches. This rifle has been well-kept. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine plus condition, as a retro-mod.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork& Accessories: This rifle comes with a sling and a 10-round magazine. It is in about very good condition.
Our Assessment: The vz. 52 rifle, also known as the “Model 52,” is a semi-automatic rifle developed in Czechoslovakia shortly after World War II. It was designed by Jan and Jaroslav Kratochvíl and produced from 1952 to 19591. The rifle was initially chambered in the unique 7.62×45mm cartridge, which was later changed to the more common 7.62×39mm cartridge in the VZ. 52/57 variant
The vz. 52 features a gas-operated, tilting breechblock mechanism and a short-stroke gas piston system. It has an open iron sight graduated from 100 to 900 meters and a detachable 10-round box magazine. The rifle was used by various military forces and saw action in several conflicts, including the Vietnam War and the Yom Kippur War.
The Vz. 52 rifle certainly had an interesting journey and wide reach during its service. While it was originally designed and produced for the Czechoslovak military, it found its way into various conflict zones around the world.
During the Cold War, Czechoslovakia exported the vz. 52 to several allied nations and revolutionary movements. Notably, the rifle saw significant use during the Vietnam War, where it was used by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces. Its robustness and reliability in harsh conditions made it a favored weapon in jungle warfare.
Additionally, the vz. 52 appeared in the Yom Kippur War, where it was used by some Arab forces against Israel. This further demonstrates the rifle’s widespread distribution and adoption. The rifle’s transition to the vz. 52/57 variant, which chambered the 7.62×39mm cartridge, also contributed to its extensive reach. This caliber compatibility made it easier for allied forces to adopt the rifle, as the 7.62×39mm cartridge was a standard ammunition type used by many Warsaw Pact countries.
This Czechoslovakian VZ 52 is still a VZ 52 Rifle, though made to look like an SVT 40 and chambered in 6.5 Grendel. Only a few of these were ever produced. Multitudes were Arsenal converted to fire the 7.62x39mm cartridge which is always more readily available; 7.62×45 is harder to find. But only a few were recently ever custom converted to 6.5 Grendel.
These are rare and beautiful Czech rifles that are scarce due to limited availability. It will surely be a conversation starter at the range. These are quite alluring to the eye as most of us really like the looks of the SVT40. The 6.5 Grendel Ammo is easy to find and is one hell of a hunting round. So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition of the rifle in our high-quality photos. Good luck with your bid. -K.F.
