Czech VZ 52 SVT 40 Custom Variant 6.5 Grendel 26” Semi-Auto Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,527.00
LSB#: WY240908BC068
Make: Czechoslovakia
Model: VZ 52 SVT 40 Variant
Serial Number: J12488
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
Barrel Length: Approximately 24 1/2 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 Walnut 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 very good plus overall condition
Type of Finish: Blued, 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 no fouling in the grooves. There is no erosion or corrosion. This bore rates 10/10 in this writer’s opinion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% 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. There is pitting under the finish along the receiver. The bolt is a hardened metal 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 (Samopal Vzor 52) was developed in Czechoslovakia in the early 1950s to replace older bolt-action rifles with a modern semi-automatic design. Chambered in the proprietary 7.62×45mm Czech cartridge, it offered superior range and accuracy. The rifle featured a gas-operated mechanism with a tilting bolt, a 10-round detachable box magazine, and an integrated side-folding bayonet. It entered service in 1952 and became the standard rifle for the Czechoslovak People’s Army. The VZ 52 saw use in various conflicts during the Cold War, including by Cuban forces during the Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961) and other regional skirmishes in Africa and Asia, where it was exported. However, political alignment with the Soviet Union mandated the adoption of the Warsaw Pact-standard 7.62×39mm cartridge, leading to the development of the VZ 52/57, a modified version rechambered to the Soviet round. This conversion extended the rifle’s service life but also rendered the original 7.62×45mm chambering rarer over time.Notably, some VZ 52 rifles were modified to resemble the Soviet SVT-40, likely to enhance their appearance or create a visual association with the more iconic rifle. These modifications, while uncommon, reflect the creativity of collectors and enthusiasts in customizing the firearm.
In recent years, some VZ 52 rifles have come up on the market that have undergone rare and experimental custom conversions to the modern 6.5 Grendel cartridge, prized for its enhanced accuracy and ballistic performance. This rifles custom conversion is rare and reflect this rifle’s adaptability and enduring appeal among firearms enthusiasts and collectors.
