This is an exceptional example of another scarce pre-war semi-automatic rifle that was produced at the Czechoslovakia Armory. This model is very unique and considerably different than the earlier CZ37. The top of the receiver is marked: "CESKA ZBROJOVKA .A.B. v PRAZE/61. Eventually over time the name CESKA ZBROJOVKA, was shortened/abbreviated to just "CZ" and or later the BRNO factory. The left side of the receiver is stamped: "J Czech Standing Lion proof/37" for the year of manufacture. The rifle is a blow-back operated system with a fixed barrel, with a gas block mounted on the front, underside of the barrel. The gas block is fitted with a long, sliding driving rod that operates on a short stroke basis . When the rifle is fired, gas is bled off from the barrel and pushes this driving rod reward about 1/2 of an inch. The rear of this this rod, hits the front of the bolt which then starts or assists in the recoiling system and helps push the bolt rearward to start the cycling and extraction process. There is a large recoil spring at the rear of the action which is actually located down inside the stock, somewhat like the Johnson rifles. After firing this recoil spring drives the bolt and bolt carrier forward to strip out a new round from the box magazine and chambers the cartridge. Interestingly the rifle also has a telescoping bolt head/bolt body mounted inside a bolt carrier located in the receiver and the top of the action is fitted with a large flat, sliding top cover. The right side of the top cover, has an integral cocking handle and when the cocking handle is located in the up position you can cock the rifle and when it is placed downward (sideways) position it locks the top cover in place on the rifle. Part of the recoil spring mechanism is located through the rear of the buttstock via a sliding buttplate. Inside the stock it also has a small oiler inside. It has a 23 inch round barrel that is counter bored for the last inch and it is slotted on the end which probably indicates that at one time it was mounted with some kind of flash hider or muzzle break. The barrel is fitted with a standard blade front sight with a set of protective ears which actually slides off of the gas block. The top cover is fitted with a tangent rear sight that is graduated 3-20 (300-2,000 meters). It has a short walnut stock and top and bottom handguards. It has the typical Czech double mounted sling swivels so that the rifle can be slung from the side or the bottom like a VZ-24 rifle.

Very fine with 95% of the original blue finish overall with edge and high spot wear overall with clear sharp markings. The bolt and bolt body still retain their original factory "in the white" finish. The stock and handguards are all in fine condition overall with a dark oil finish overall showing numerous handling marks and light pressure dents on the sides. Mechanically excellent. Certainly an interesting and very scarce early Czechoslovakian prototype CZ38 rifle.