ČZ vz. 38

Most of them were seized by the German Army and issued to second line and police units.

• Name — ČZ vz. 38 • Origin — Czechoslovakia • Type — Semi-automatic pistol • Is Ranged — yes • Service — 1938−1945 • Used By — See users • Wars — World War II • Designer — František Myška • Design Date — 1936−1938 • Manufacturer — Česká zbrojovka • Unit Cost — 270 Kčs • Production Date — 1938−1939 • Number — 40,000+ • Weight — (empty) • Cartridge —.380 ACP • Action — Simple blowback • Feed — 9-round detachable box magazine

In 1936, the Czechoslovak Air Force, demanded a cheaper and simpler to operate alternative to the vz. 24 pistol chambered for the.380 ACP cartridge. It was sensitive to dirt, could accidentally discharge if the barrel wasn't completely locked, had extraction problems, and small parts that could be easily lost during dissassembly. In response to the Air Force demands (echoing the Army complaints), František Myška, chief designer at the Česká Zbrojovka (CZ) completely redesigned the vz. 24 into a simple blowback pistol. A batch of 25 pistols were delivered in January 1938 for testing, and despite some complaints, the new design received positive reviews and was approved for service on 30 April 1938, under the designation vz. 38 (Czechoslovak patent number 65558).

On 14 June 1938, CZ received an order for 41,000 pistols at the cost of 270 korunas each, but not a single vz. 38 was delivered to the Czechoslovak Army before the German occupation in early 1939. Very few pistols were produced for the Germans, who designated it the Pistole 39(t), with the suffix "(t)" standing for Tschechoslowakei. According to Ezell, around 10,000−12,000 were produced in 1938−1939, while Hogg gives a figure of more than 40,000 pistols built in total. Most pistols were issued to the German police and second line units. Some were captured and used by the Yugoslav Partisans.

* • Finland − 1,700 pistols bought from Germany in 1940 • Nazi Germany − Designated as the Pistole 39(t). Used by police and second line units • Yugoslav Partisans − Captured