ČZ vz. 27

The ČZ vz. 27 is a Czechoslovakian semi-automatic pistol. "ČZ" stands for Česká zbrojovka, meaning "Czech Armory," and "vz. 27" is short for "vzor 27," meaning "model 27." It was designed by Josef Nickl as an improvement upon his earlier vz. 24 pistol and was manufactured from 1927 to 1951. The vz. 27 is chambered in .32 ACP (7.65mm Browning) and was widely used by the Czechoslovakian police and military. Following the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939, production continued under German control and the pistol was used by various German forces, receiving the designation Pistole Modell 27. Post-war production resumed and the pistol remained in service until it was largely replaced by more modern designs. The vz. 27 is known for its reliability, simple design, and relatively compact size.