This is a rare example of a pre-war ZB 26 manufactured at the Brunn factory in Czechoslovakia. More of these were manufactured for export than were actually manufactured for the Czech military. Under Nazi occupation starting in 1939, these continued to be manufactured as the MG 26 (t) for use by the German military. This series of weapon was originally designed by Vaclav Holek in 1924 and was later assigned the ZB vz. 26 based on the year of adoption. It was an extremely well-designed weapon that proved to be very reliable, so much so it was heavily used by the Germans throughout the war, and it was copied by British in 1935 and chambered in .303 and was commonly called the Bren Gun. This weapon had a very long and successful career being eventually used in over 20 countries around the world to include China. It uses a gas operated, piston/operating rod system firing from an open bolt. It had several very distinguishing features; it had a quick change barrel, the barrel has circular cooling rings on the outside, it uses a detachable box magazine that mounted directly on top of the receiver, and it has off-set sights which are mounted on the left side of the gun, so that you can see around the magazine. The sights are calibrated "2-15" (200-1500 meters). The left side of the receiver is marked: "WAFFENWERKE BRUNN/A.G.", and the right side is marked "ZB 26 No1287". The top of the receiver has a large Spanish Army eagle crest over serial number "1287" over a double Waffenamt proof of "WaA83". It is fitted with a walnut buttstock and pistol grip. The stock has a heavy stamped, cupped buttplate. It is complete with two 20 round box magazines.

Excellent with 90% plus of the blue finish overall showing light wear on the edges and high spots. The wood components both show some heavier handling marks and light to moderate pressure dents overall. At some point this machine gun had been deactivated by inserting either a pin or applying a small plug weld, up through the front underside area of the receiver extension (in front of the interrupted barrel locking threads) into the chamber area of the barrel. Subsequently this pin/plug area was completely drilled out and an original WWII Nazi proofed type barrel reinstalled. This procedure has reactivated this weapon to a functional condition. The weapon hand cycles and dry fires correctly. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.