Part of a line of development interrupted by the outbreak of World War II and the German invasion of Czechoslovakia, the ZK420-S was an early attempt by CZ BRNO to get in on the post-WWII military contract market, in hopes of cashing in on nations wanting to make the jump from the bolt action rifles that were standard going in to the semi-automatic battle rifles which were becoming the norm. Already an impressive design on paper in 1942, with minor revisions, it was felt the 420-S could be that rifle, though in the end the market didn't materialize the way CZ hoped it would, with full auto battle rifles like the Belgian FAL and the German G3 coming to prominence in NATO's sphere of influence and intermediate caliber weapons like the SKS and AK taking hold in the Warsaw Pact's sphere. Overall quantities made were limited, somewhere around 200, in an assortment of calibers for demonstration to potential military clients. Expense may have been a factor; the 420-S makes extensive use of machined steel, versus the stampings used in many of it's competitors, requiring a level of hand craftsmanship that brought up the price. Hooded blade front and tangent peep rear sights, with a circled "Z" over the "001" serial number on the receiver heel, "ZK 420-S" and "ZBROJOVKA BRNO/NARODNI PODNIK" on the left and "MADE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA CAL. 7.92 mm" on the right. The internal action is a long piston gas system, with a multi-piece operating rod that doubles as the carrier for a rotating bolt head, creating a system that manages to resemble the M14 and the AK-47 at the same time. The bolt and carrier are both electro-penciled "007", with "29" on the carrier, "35" on the head, and "92" on the underside of the barrel. The combined trigger housing and magazine well is stamped "001". With a smooth pistol grip stock, with a canvas sling and a checkered steel buttplate. Included with the rifle is a Meopta ZF4-style 4x scope, numbered "276421" and set in a ring mount compatible with a set of integral rails around the rear sight.

Excellent, with 95% plus fine gray phosphate finish, showing mild rubbing and spotting. The reoiled stock is very fine, with a few cracks around the trigger guard and mild scuffs and dings overall. The optics are hazy, but the reticle is solid. The rubber eyepiece has been glued on. Mechanically excellent.