doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Brno ZP sidelocks

I actually do not know what the price of the ZP49 shotgun would have been in the iron curtain countries during the after WWII period. Considering how cheap that FN was making the Browning design A5 then and the retail cost of the A5 in the USA and the low standard of living in these iron curtain countries in the 1950's the ZP49 may have been less than US$25.00. I remember working at my first after school job in the late 1950's for US$0.50 per hour.

I find myself in need of another 16g.
A very good box lock Bayard or a ZP Brno are the choices available to me now.
I have handled neither one of them.
The Brno is 2x the $ of the Bayard.
Is the Brno the choice ?
Om

Condition is everything in such a choice. I know that is not the answer you want but it is truthful. However, in general knowing no more than your question it is likely that the Bayard is the choice by a wide margin.

Based on couple examples examined I would pick Pieper over ZP Brno. Basic Pieper BLNE with Baynard steel barrels, extra sliding top locking, blackened frame and bolt through the stock had plain but finely checkered stock ending in horn butt plate. I will admit if ZP was made in 1950s the choice would be much, much more difficult.

Thanks for that opinion Jag & especially bushveld.
After the report from bushveld on the previous page he still put the Bayard ahead of the ZP Brno.
Both guns appear to have been used very little, probably due to the price & availability of the ammo here in Australia.

The Bayard certainly has more class & looks like art rather than a farm tool.
I think the Bayard weighs less than the Brno ZP. That & its very good bores & overall condition put the Bayard ahead if it is 16/70.
O.M

In my humble opinion, it depends very much on the grade of the Pieper. I've seen a few that were very roughly finished. Then again others have been very nice...It appears the large manufacturing enterprise of Pieper made guns to cover a wide spectrum of price points; but again that has just been my observation. If all things are equal, condition, finish, weight, features, etc, I would sure choose the gun with the better fit. I think that would make all the difference in your enjoyment of the gun. "Pretty" doesn't always break clays or knock down birds, even if it is pleasing to the eye. If its a gun you plan on using rather than collecting, fit would be my personal deciding factor.

Your mileage may vary...

I agree. The fit is not a thing I can check with gun in hand as they are internet purchases.
I can bend if need be.
O.M

Good luck Moses....

If they're both nice condition guns and the prices are good, I think you'll be happy either way. Get lots of pictures!

My recommendation was a matter of logic: You stated that the Brno is 2 times the price of the Bayard. Further, you stated the Bayard is hand engraved. All this equals a wide margin of difference.

Merry Christmas and good shooting.

I certainly agree with this...