01 Cutaway of the Brasilian Musketon 12/33 Model Calibre 7 mm Mauser, 1935

Fotogalerie

In the interwar period, Ceskoslovenska zbrojovka, a. s., in Brno developed into one of the most important manufacturers and exporters of rifles and light machine guns. It managed to establish itself in many countries around the world not only by the quality of its products, but also by its ability to meet the various requirements of its customers. In Latin America, the armies of Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Nicaragua, Peru and Uruguay introduced weapons with the factory mark of the letter Z in a spiral, representing the bore of the barrel, into their armaments.

Bolivia and Brazil were undoubtedly among the biggest customers ordering rifles from Brno in South America. While the former purchased M 24 rifles in 7.65 mm Mauser calibre, the Brazilian army preferred the shorter and lighter weapon, the M 12/33 musketoon. In 1937, they ordered a full 100,500 units, and the factory delivered the entire quantity to Brazil by the end of September 1938. It also supplied customers with working sections of its guns for educational purposes.