The ZK 476 was a Czech prototype submachine gun that was produced by Zbrojovka Brno.
History[]
The ZK 476 was designed by brothers Josef and František Koucký shortly after World War II to meet the Czech Army's requirements for a new submachine gun, however it implemented ideas that had been conceived by Vaclav Holek during the war. A limited number of prototypes were made and submitted to military trials against the CZ 447 developed by Česká Zbrojovka. The CZ 447 was selected for adoption in 1949 and the ZK 476 was rejected. No further development was made to the gun.
Design[]
The ZK 476 was a blowback-operated submachine gun that fired from an open bolt. It was one of the first submachine guns to utilize a "wrap-around" bolt in which the bolt was machined with an inner recess that telescoped around the barrel. The cocking handle was placed over the receiver. The gun used a push-safety in the grip and a fire selector switch above the trigger. Both folding stock and fixed stock models were made.
Trivia[]
- This weapon is often said to be the inspiration behind the Uzi.