ZH-29 Semiauto Rifle

[@therideneverends1697]

I think the most important aspect of this design is the magnificent plum color of the metal.

[@caprise-music6722]

Neurofunke *Forgotten Weapons* videos certainly makes me enjoy guns in Battlefield even more!

[@jonbush7467]

Agree. Can you imagine what it looked like new! Deep bluing, light cherry wood (looking) furniture and that polished aluminum hand guard!

[@bruceinoz8002]

You can get that colour by hot blueing (for example, Dulite processs), heat-treated chrome-moly steels at the same start temperature as you would a plain carbon steel. If you start at a lower temperature and slowly raise it, you get more of a "black" than that plum colour. It seems to be something about the chemistry of the oxides of the alloying metals.

[@nojustno1216]

I agree. Gorgeous

[@paulpolito2001]

May be Browned steel... never seen one in pristine condition, tho, so just a guess.

[@BeingAGamerguy]

Minimal tools to take down, a cut-away action that lets you see how everything works, mags that you can still find, and that beautiful patina. I'll take 10.

[@entropy11]

What's really neat about this rifle is that it's its own cutaway model.

[@SpartanD63]

That bluing is GORGEOUS! I've never seen that plum color throughout a firearm.

[@johnyzlesa]

+Duncan McAfee Some of our CZ-50's made only in Strakonice has slide in the similar color. You can buy some here for aprox. 120 USD.

[@ItsNotSafe2Swim]

Almost 100 years old and it's mechanically mind blowing!

[@andymandyandsheba4571]

the mechanism is a work of art

[@brettknoss486]

I love the finish on the metal of this rifle.

[@ChrisVellrath]

Yes, it looks very Victorian or like it would fit into a steampunk setting. The trigger has some nice twisty angles and curves too. I bet the fellow who designed it was very creative but might have had a few screws loose.

[@ZGryphon]

I've got one of those Croatian 9mm pistols that's this color. It's... not a great gun, if I'm honest? But I do like the finish a lot.

[@MasterTaters]

Such a nice plum color

[@damattalizer]

That copper-hued bluing ... so amazing

[@KowboyUSA]

The amazing Czech quality even shines through a video.

[@johnnschroeder7424]

Simple yet elegant, a wonderful look back into history. Many thanks for the chance to see this unique rifle!

[@rickautry2759]

Did you just say 'Czechnology'? I love it! The Browning on the receiver is just gorgeous, and the mechanics are pure elegance. I wish I could get me one of them!

[@lwfeagan]

This is one of the most ingenious and thoughtful designs I have seen on a gun. Thanks for sharing Ian.

[@wesleytownsend8214]

Absolutely stunningly beautiful firearm. I can also tell that a HUGE majority agrees with the uniqueness and beauty as the like-to-dislike ratio is mind blowing. Ian you are great at this. It is now almost 2020 (in a month) and your content is still my most religiously watched on all of the web(aka interwebs, the net, devil’s playhouse, etc...) I hope you are uniquely proud and also I hope you are able to live a luxurious lifestyle because of the work you’ve done and effort involved (although I know you have done this for historical significance). I truly believe history will look back on you with honor and reverence. All the best to you and yours!

[@dannelson8768]

Thanks Ian for sharing this. I love the wierd design of this rifle, it's almost "steampunkish". Also you've been a great addition to Doc's podcast.

[@yungeyebrows5862]

Holy crap, that maroon varnish on the receiver and other metal parts is just beautiful.

[@Enthymene]

Me, seeing the beautiful wood and bluing: oooh, how pretty Me, looking down the sights: (confused screaming)

[@Wabaanimkii]

Whatever you do that allows you to play with all these toys is awesome. Great Job!

[@OspreyKnight]

That bolt locking mechanism is absolute genius. It reduces the time and motions required to get your weapon working in a fight. I've been trying to figure out how to do it in the sketches I make, this is an absolutely elegant solution. I don't think it makes the weapon any less unsafe, but I suppose you could add a small button to disengage the mechanism without pulling the trigger.

[@jakeroark570]

Best gun info I found so far.

[@RobertRobert-xs9ep]

thanks from Slovakia, I am proud of this my homeland old fathers piece

[@ChuckVorheis]

Proff Ian you are kind to us old students

[@dougler500]

A very fine design. Mr. Holek did a wonderful job, I want one!

[@sambaggins2798]

BRNO makes some beautiful weapons. This one is no exception. Great video!

[@reconty2133]

As always another great video Ian. Really interesting piece of Czech-nology. Love it!

[@SomethingEls]

Love the elegance of the design and mechanics!

[@CommodoreFluffy]

That's a really pretty finish. I wonder why it is configured the way it is it seems that if they turned the action by 90° clockwise this could have been a lot more popular.

[@DudeInWalmart]

Zachary Sohn Like they did with the FAL and SKS. It only took like 20 years to figure that out. lol

[@zacharyrollick6169]

@@DudeInWalmart Or earlier, with the Lee Navy straight pull bolt action.

[@davidsolyom5604]

Not to mention the Stg 44.

[@RainShadow-yi3xr]

@@davidsolyom5604Or even the ZB26, developed by the same people, at the same time. There must have been a reason, though maybe not a good one.

[@Benjo_games]

that's a really interesting and well thought-out design. thanks for sharing Ian!

[@browndd]

i remember watching the ZH-29 video when you published it but i don't recall being disappointed with its production. At any rate i'm glad that you take such an interest in improving the quality of your channel and am more than glad to watch another video but this odd rifle.

[@GetTheFO]

The finish on the rifle is amazing looking.

[@EDSKaR]

13:05 Did you say "Czechnology" oh that pun, it hurts me.

[@Xzibit9]

EDSKaR first time you heard of it? I guess you should watch more videos about czech guns rather than my little pony videos.

[@EDSKaR]

Tom Scharf I'm an engineer and a brony, send me more "czechnology" vid and Ill send you more pony vids.

[@MadnessOfMarmots]

EDSKaR Your attempt to validate yourself by saying you're an engineer failed. Dude. My Little Pony is a children's show for girls.

[@EDSKaR]

thinkpol Oh, I didn't realise you were a biggot, nevermind. I'm blocking you now so don't bother replying.

[@Midcal9]

EDSKaR I'm also a bigot who despises men who get sexually aroused by little cartoon ponies. Please block me and watch some Internet Aristocrat.

[@PlanetRibooted]

That’s another awesome design from BRNO!

[@TheGearhead222]

Dear Ian-EXCELLENT video! Have been lurking awhile around your site, and REALLY enjoy it! Have had my C&R for over 15 years, so I do appreciate the older technology:)-John in Texas

[@Cruisey]

The plum colour is supposedly the natural progression of perhaps a too hot or otherwise 'out-of-spec' bluing solution. I have a Beretta M1934 with a beautiful dark purple-to-blood red slide, it'd be a shame to think you can't do that on purpose.

[@yappojilla]

really glad you got to do a high-quality followup on your earlier video on the ZH-29. gotta say this is one of my favorite designs i've seen here. all the multifunction parts, the well thought out controls/manual of arms and dis-assembly.... combine that with the beautiful Czech machining work and unique lockup.... very cool rifle. one main spring and one trigger group spring- impressively simple. really wish there was some way they could have worked around the offset sights, cant imagine it would be very intuitive to get a nice sight picture on this rifle but its probably not as bad as my imagination is suggesting. ALSO- the way the bolt carrier interfaces with the bolt- that little hook. seems very similar to the FG42 system... anyways- really good video! love all these unique semi-autos Forgotten Weapons

[@Darkerloaf]

That is a super cool rifle. What an interesting design!

[@mrt53]

Not sure if this is particularly interesting, but the bodyguards Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia used a wide variety of weapons, with one being the ZH29. There is an image of this in the book "combat guns" First published in 1987, and I couldn't find the same image online but it shows off the ZH29 with the original ZB26 magazine quite nicely.

[@thatdudeinasuit5422]

I only heard of this gun through a video game but they're bloody beautiful.

[@marshaul]

Czechnology! I love it.

[@GraphicTscom]

You always have great guns. I enjoy it when you disassemble them and show how they work

[@ShawarmaFarmer]

Wonderful design and breakdown

[@TheLoxxxton]

another good vid, i so wish we could have cool stuff like this in the uk...

[@AFpaleoCon]

I love that metal finish.

[@coltonsin64]

That trigger pull bolt release is ingenious, but you're right; the safety mafia would crap themselves if that was a thing today.

[@Leander_]

What a beautiful rifle.

[@partya11night20]

As a vz 58 owner, it's freaky how many little things are the same. CZ gunmaking obviously had quite a few little tricks and designs that where passed on thought the ages.

[@DrSid42]

It's all so square and edgy .. very elegant !

[@narutowindel]

this is such a beautiful rifle thanks for sharing all these videos keep it up!

[@B60IN3]

Very nice and well made. Thanks for the look.

[@Isosceles371]

Such a cool rifle!

[@simonp347]

Who else is here binge watching Czech firearms?

[@prestonopp]

Smooth delivery with the Czech-nology line at the end! 😂

[@stevejenkins9984]

Fascinating gun the engineer on this one definitely thought the gun out

[@CKinnerley]

I feel like I should facepalm for never thinking of such a simple but ingenious mechanism for the front lock on a rock-to-lock magazine. I'm sure that could be adapted to the AK platform by adding a mounting block that protrudes at the front area of the current magazine opening in the receiver.

[@zacharyrollick6169]

They actually sell that as a drop in conversion.

[@spleenya]

Very cool extra features

[@drumadude28]

"Czechnology" Oh my God, Ian, you are trying to kill me. I rarely laugh at puns, but this one got me.

[@shadowfoxcorp]

Dear god, what a truly marvelous gun. It's so elegant and, that action looks like it's smooth as buttered glass. It's to pretty to be a service weapon. It looks like it would be more comfortable as a sport shooting, safe queen. An "exotic" queen. The best kind in my opinion.

[@ChipmunkRapidsMadMan1869]

The engineering is elegantly simple. The big problem I see is, as a left eye dominant shooter, I could see the design impossible for people who shoot left handed. I love the purple metal treatment.

[@EDSKaR]

You've mentioned your "precision" gun disassembly tools in a couple of videos now, if you do merchandise (like youtube channels are want to), you should sell a "Forgotten Weapons precision gun disassembly tool set"

[@yetanother9127]

EDSKaR It'd probably just be a single rifle bullet; you can use the rim to undo screws and the nose to push out pins (in fact, a lot of guns were specifically designed to be able to be disassembled using a spare cartridge).

[@EDSKaR]

Jonathan Hughes Don't take the fun out of it, I'd buy a Forgotten Weapons branded plastic toothpick labelled "precision disassembly tool"

[@CocoTehQuila]

+EDSKaR I think it's more of a Bic ballpen than a plastic toothpick. erm... I mean a dual function precision disassembly tool with write capability

[@nindger4270]

Two years later, where's my Forgotten Weapons precision gun disassembly tool set containing a stick and a cartridge?

[@fuzzo4475]

That bluing is gorgeous, holy shit.

[@fraserdavidson6900]

I really like this design. Nice simple machining processes, simple mech, and cheap tooling costs. My only worry would be the strength of a receiver split like that.

[@fraserdavidson6900]

laszu I am all to aware of that lol. My home machine shop is an expensive beast to keep running

[@davidmbeckmann]

Very cool rifle.

[@Zaaphod]

I love the way you said Brno. :D

[@stewknoles4790]

That is an interesting piece. Real simple yet ingenious design. Too bad it did not catch on as at that time, a semi auto military rifle was almost unheard of. Everyone was using a manual bolt.

[@asmodeus.morningstar]

wow great condition !

[@BarcelPL]

Recoil on this gun must be weird, due to that offset barrel.

[@andrewince8824]

It must pull the barrel off to the side (possibly the left) being offset like that.

[@seanerichsen7473]

i like what you did there at the end

[@666toysoldier]

I believe that the weapon that zapped R2D2 in the first Star Wars movie was one of these, with stock cut to pistol grip, barrel shortened, and an Italian grenade cup discharger added to the muzzle. filming took place in North Africa, so it could have been picked up locally.

[@danklvac4746]

I've always dreamed of having one of these

[@vojtechtax9723]

one important thing: Brno isn't the factory, it's the city where Brněnská zbrojovka (the factory) was located.

[@Rooster---ooo]

I have always loved this rifle, mostly due to the 'what if?' factor of its history. Britain adopted modified versions of several Czech machineguns in the 1930s and I'm wondering if the British Army ever looked at the ZH-29 as a potential SLR? With so many Lee Enfields in service it certainly wouldn't have been an option as a replacement, too expensive and complex to mass produce, but as a companion for the Bren it could have been an interesting option. Could have given the Bren crew a bit more firepower and could have been adapted to fire the same .303 ammo from the standard 5 round Enfield stripper clip. The fact that the Czech's didn't adopt it for their own military is a bit of a red flag for me. I know the Chinese took a few but it was never a commercial success. I wonder if the Czechs would have come back with an improved version if WW2 hadn't kicked off? Very cool video. Love to see the workings explained so thoroughly. Great to see some more obscure weapons examined. Czechnology lol

[@kevinoliver3083]

The British evaluated the ZH-29 and found it be inaccurate and unreliable. issues. But they did like the detachable box magazine.

[@Geronimo989]

Very clever design, I would love to own one. I was expecting something needlessly complicated before you took it apart.

[@billechols7136]

Pulling the trigger to release the bolt doesn't freak me out. Like you stated, a military force can train for it. And proper safe gun handling practices would eliminate any issues. A very interesting rifle sir.

[@tiortedrootsky]

The obvious question would be if the misallignment of the barrel and stock do anything. You should've tried to fire from left and right shoulders to see if the muzzle want to go sideways more from left shoulder. Maybe that was the intention, as all people are right handed, you can tilt the barrel to make the muzzle go left with every shot to compensate rotation of the torso, like slant ak compensator. I've found a cutaway top view drawing of this rifle. The line of bore meets the back of the stock at 3/4 of its width. It could provide noticable compensation effect for righties.

[@FUBARGunpla]

oh man... as a martial artist i've trained with a fair share of wooden swords for krabi krabong and one of the few things that drives my inner ocd insane is when the woods not straight, so between the handle and the blade it's off by a few degrees. not enough obviously to make any difference but man it drives me insane to wanna straighten in, then when i see this rifle i just know if i had to use it on a day to day basis it'd make me wanna straighten it.

[@adamg59]

Most powerfull gun in Battlefield V

[@LeeEnfield7756]

Always liked this rifle. It'd be sweet if you could put up another firing video with your new camera and gear.

[@julianrueda2107]

Siempre las manos golpeadas eridas por Aser el despiese de las armas para preparar los muy buenos videos que ase usted lo felicito grasias

[@troy9477]

Fascinating design. The Czechs marched to their own drummer even after they fell under Soviet influence. Their AK style rifle (VZ 58 i think?) was not quite the same as AK, more finely made, and was initially chambered in a 7.62x45 cartridge, which probably gave better ballistics (and is exactly halfway between 7.62x39 and 308 [7.62x51] in length). I love the plum patina with the reddish brown wood stain- my Garand would look great like that, or an M-14/M-1A. No, my Krag....... :). Great video as always

[@pennsylvaniafellow4409]

I know I'm two months late but you had the same first name as me so I had to give you right info. The Czechs didn't use 7.62x45 very long. Most Vz 52 and Vz 58 used 7.62x39. (The standardization requirements of the Warsaw Pact were the reason for the change to 7.62x39)

[@troy9477]

Toss Off Yeah i know they only used it for very few years. That's why i said "initially chambered" :) The Soviets insisted on standardization, and i'm sure they could be persuasive. I don't know the ballistics of the 7.62x45. Any ideas?

[@pennsylvaniafellow4409]

Whoops, I guess I read through it too fast. As for the ballistics I don't believe I've seen much info other than what you probably guessed that it is slightly more powerful.

[@troy9477]

Toss Off Yeah. From what i know abt ballistics and reloading, they could probably use slightly more of a slower burning powder in the longer case, giving a bit more velocity. Most likely it would only be 100 fps or so, if that. Still a short round for it's day, and 6mm shorter than a 308. Thx for the feedback. Always nice to meet another Troy. :) Not too many of us out there

[@Kuschel_K]

what a cool rifle =O

[@genosho5574]

Funny thing: If you look at the listed details at the catalogue page, you will notice that they actually pointed the obviously red finish out to be blue.

[@randomguy9898]

IIRC the goryunov MGs also use a side tilting method for locking the bolt

[@HammockerSam]

Love that red hue

[@Charlemagnificent]

"But, I'm not gonna go cranking on this with a wrench at an auction house." lol

[@balrajsingh-zp4wq]

ਥੋਡੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਵੀਡੀਓ ਬੁਹਤ ਵਧੀਆ ਲੱਗਦੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਵੀਰੇ ਹਥਿਆਰਾਂ ਵਾਰੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਕੁਝ ਸੀਖਣ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ ਥੋਡੀ ਇਕ ਵੀਡੀਓ ਕਾਰ 98 ਕੇ ਦੀ ਦੇਖੀਂ ਸੀ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਵਟ ਕਾਫੀ ਰਫ ਜਿਹਾਂ ਸੀ ਇਕ ਵੀਡੀਓ ਕਾਰ 98 ਕੇ ਦੇ ਬੁਲਟ ਤੇ ਬਣਾਉ ਸਰ ।

[@AnVCritcalYeti]

Hey Ian im curious as to why the rifle almost appears red ( it looks very cool) instead of the standard blued look?

[@StPaul76]

I think this is quite elegant piece of equipment. Something in this rifle reminds of the Soviet Degtarjev DP-27 LMG.

[@666toysoldier]

When the first Star Wars came out on VHS, I was able to identify all the weapons as conventional guns, sometimes dressed up . The Jawas electric discharge weapon was a stumper, as the VHS images wasn't clear. Based on receiver profiel, I decided it was one of these Czech rifles, cut down and fitted with an Italian grenade launcher cup. I suppose it was something they picked up on location in North Africa.

[@ddmilis4100]

very cool rifle

[@thomaslawler6904]

Whatever kind of parkerization or blueing that is on the receiver and barrel is beautiful.

[@rushyahr7767]

That is an interesting red-ish, almost plum finish. Is it color case hardened, or is something else going on there? By the way, I have been wondering, how do you know so much about so many different firearms? Do you do it like I would have to, just research a lot after looking over what someone has, or do you actually know most of this stuff off the top of your head?

[@MadMetalShop]

Actually seems like a decent design. I'll have to find the vid of you shooting one. Beautiful finish btw what is it?

[@entropy11]

That patina tho!

[@SNOUPS4]

I'm here to look at the trigger after the interview of Max Popenker by Ian =)

[@SoWe1]

11:20 why are you pushing the hammer down with your finger there, what would do that during normal operation?

[@Deliverygirl]

+SoWeMeetAgain So that the hammer doesn't go off. He's just holding it down to demonstrate the action. I think.

[@SoWe1]

Deliverygirl thanks, but I'm not sure that's true. As I understood it he is talking about actuating the trigger *twice* and he says "the second time" the hammer would go down and the gun fire - but he is holding it down during the first trigger press. Hence - what would do that during normal operation and prevent it from firing the first time. Or am I missing something? Cheers

[@Deliverygirl]

Hes holding it down the first time so he can move the bolt, as the hammer actuates as a bolt release, if he had the hammer up it would be locking the bolt. At least thats how I understood it.

[@Raptor747]

I can't help but feel that a big reason why it was rejected by so many was that it looked wrong, what with the sights and barrel being angled/offset. Too unsettling; it probably made the guys looking at it/using it feel like it would be inaccurate and handle funky even if it wouldn't actually be.

[@mr.r0gueb0t13]

Late comment but did the SG43 get the horizontal tilting bolt idea from this weapon? The barrel isn't offset but the bolt locks the same way.

[@mocnyjakniedzwiedz]

Yes.MP-43 .Stg-44 made copy of this bolt. From ZH.-29.

[@828enigma6]

Clever design, but I perceive I'd have trouble adapting to the offset barrel and front and rear sights. Especially in opposite directions.

[@GoredonTheDestroyer]

Any chance of a SPAS-12 or SPAS-15?

[@TheAnonymmynona]

GoredonTheDestroyer it isn't realy forgotten or unusual so i wouldn't expect it

[@MadnessOfMarmots]

GoredonTheDestroyer Well... considering the channel is called "Forgotten Weapons".... I don't think so.

[@josephk.4200]

GoredonTheDestroyer Jerry Miculek just did a video on the SPAS-12. It's a bad gun, only famous because of hollywood.

[@nickgalbraith6608]

Joseph K. I owned one briefly, the SPAS-12 really isn't very good. EDIT: I forgot "isn't" thus giving my comment new meaning.

[@josephk.4200]

Nick Galbraith Owned one? They're hard guns to come by. Props to you, if so. Still, based on the review Jerry gave, they're not so good compared to other shotguns available.

[@jakeshaw6827]

"Mechanically pretty simple you pull the bolt handle the bolt opens" Hell yeah that is simple lol