CZ Yearbook 2019 /eng

28 | | 29 tion sample photographs that literally flew around the whole world. However, the ultimate design of this edition differed slightly f rom the teaser. The CZ 75 B 40 th ANNIVERSARY is based on the current CZ 75 B in black finish, it is decoratively en- graved, work once again carried out by the company’s engrav- er of choice, René Ondra from Uherský Brod. In contrast to the first design, he added lines to the final design which optically give the model more depth. The engravings are well com- plemented by the “handwritten” inscription on the left side that shows the usual model designa- tion (in the name although not exactly in position). Right next to the CZ trademark, there is a number specifying the particu- lar model of the limited series. An ordinary CZ 75 B has a se- rial number and a proof mark on the r i g h t side, that is, on the frame and the slide as wel l as on the barrel in the ejec- tion port. The 40 th ANNIVER- SARY Edition models bear the same designation, however, the idea was that the serial num- ber need not be comprised of numbers only, it must just have seven digits (at present and in the near future). For this series it was decided to use a clear and apt format of 40THXXX, also done in the “handwritten” style font. In addition, each CZ 75 B 40 th ANNIVERSARY model bears the words 40 th ANNIVER- SARY / 1975-2015 on the right side, at the back of the frame. The most attractive feature of this limited edition was the unusu- al combination of pur- ple-blue wooden grip pan- els and small parts treated by nitriding (namely the controls, extractor, grip panels screws and the baseplate). There were also some changes in the nitrid- ing colour finish in comparison with the acquisition sample – originally, the dominant colour had rainbow gold hues, the fi- nal design was rainbow blue which complemented the grip panels much better. The barrel was left white and polished to a high gloss. The grip panels, made of pre- mium Californian sugar ma- ple, are a story in itself. They immediately catch the eye of an admirer. Some described them as if looking through the Hubble Space Telescope, others saw them with more earthy associations. There were 1000 models in the CZ 75 B 40 th ANNIVERSARY edi- tion, with the model marked 000 constituting the acquisition sample. That is why subsequent models bear the inscription XXX OF 999 and the serial numbers stretch between 40TH000 to 40TH999. Primarily, this was a project for CZ-USA and 899 models were allocated for them. Shipping commenced in March 2015, however, given the complexity of the decorat- ing, small ship- ments were being prepared through- out the year until mid-2016. Demand in the United States was high, de- spite the price set at USD 1499 (the pistol in a faux leather case, two magazines and a certif i- cate). To compare – an ordinary blued CZ 75 B sells for about 600 dollars. Nevertheless, most of the CZ 75 B 40 th Anniversary editionmodels sold even before crossing the ocean. The remain- ing 100 models was intended for the rest of the global market and only a few of those ended up on the Czech market, which makes them truly unique col- lector items. CZ 75 OPERACE ANTHROPOID Following the success of the CZ 75 B 40 th ANNIVERSARY edi- tion, another interesting pro- ject saw light in 2017. This time, the special edition commemo- rated 75 years from one of the most successful resistance op- erations of the Second World War – the assassination of the acting Reichsprotektor of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, Reinhard Heydrich, by Czechoslovakian paratroopers. Although this event is a funda- mental part of modern Czech history, it is also well-known abroad, which is largely thanks to the British-Czech-French co-production movie Anthro- poid from2016. Despite not fully satisfying the more serious film buffs, it was a great global reminder of the remark- able event. When presenting the special edition abroad, no lengthy explanations were therefore needed. It wasn’t diff icult to decide which model to pick for the commemoration of operation Anthropoid. Firstly, the para- troopers’ personal weapons were pistols. When consider- ing the current CZ portfolio, the most classic model is the good old CZ 75 B in 9mm Luger cal- ibre. Secondly, the all-steel el- egant design also speaks in its favour, and f inally, last year it was 75 years from the event. Once again, the special edition 75s were decorated by René Ondra, in his engraving studio in Uherský Brod. Simply put, he is always the safest bet, Mr Ondra and his team not only have per- fect knowledge of all the secrets and tricks of the engraving trade but they also know everything about CZ guns, making them well aware of the limits of what is possible and what is not. The choice of a suitable mo- tif was a little bit more compli- cated this time, as the matter in hand was very sensitive. It was necessary to be factually correct but at the same time proceed with great respect and take into account legal limitations. René Ondra therefore approached the Military History Institute in Prague which has researched opera- tion Anthropoid systematically for a long time. The team preparing the com- memorative pistols thus wel- comed a new member, the Institute’ director, plk. Mgr. Aleš Knížek. Involved in the plan- ning and drafting was also a Czech Special forces veteran and the current head of mili- tary weapons development in CZ, Martin Šanda. The p i s to l wa s basedon the stand- ard CZ 75 B model, on the slide there is an inscription CZ 75 OPERACE ANTHROPOID. Overall, only 75 models weremade, with the se- rial numbers 1942-01 to 1942-75 andonepilot sample. Thepistols are blued and polished to a high gloss. The outline of the frame, slide andmagazine is inlaidwith fine silver, the controls are nick- elled and together with the bar- rel polished to a high gloss. The all-metal magazine baseplate bears the emblem of the First Republic Czechoslovak Army. The grip panels made of Turkish walnut deserve great praise – at the top, the checkering incorpo- rates the Czechoslovak flag and at the bottom, there is the Small national emblem of the Czech- oslovak Republic. The overall effect is truly beautiful, without the state symbols being dimin- ished at all. Another key element of this se- ries is the inscription on the slide and the sides of the frame. Here too some changes occurred in comparison with the standard pistol, which makes it the only one of its kind. After much con- sideration, CZ decided not to in- clude the names of the para- troopers. Instead, the narrowed side of the slide on the left bears the date 27. 5. 1942, on the right there are the words Praha-Libeň, the place of the assassination. However, the famous last words of the Czechoslovakian para- troopers, heard from the under- ground crypt of the Sts Cyril and Methodius Church in Resslova street on 18th June 1942, are in- scribed in three lines on the right side of the frame, between themanual safety axis and the slide stop pin (in Czech): We are Czechs! We shall never surren- der, do you hear? Never! The model description on the left of the slide has also been slightly modif ied, it is a little smaller than the standard model and is preceded by the company’s logo of a pistol in a barrel bore.