Document Verifies Visit of D. B. Wesson to CZ Factory in 1968

The Tactical Wire ^ | June 12, 2012

[50cal Smokepole]

Dan Wesson Firearms (finally) became part of the CZ family in 2005 when the company was acquired by CZ-USA. Unbeknownst to any of the parties involved in the 2005 transaction, a relationship between the two companies was initiated 37 years earlier.

January 5th to August 21st 1968 is known to history as the Prague Spring. Many rights and freedoms restricted by the Soviets after World War II were returned to the citizens of Czechoslovakia during this brief season of change. It was also during this time period that an apparent agreement was made between ÄŒeská zbrojovka (CZ) and the founders of Dan Wesson Firearms to manufacture Dan Wesson handguns in CZ's Uherský Brod plant.

On August 21st, 1968 the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact countries invaded Czechoslovakia with 2,000 tanks and 200,000 soldiers. Though the details have been lost, it can be assumed that the invasion and subsequent occupation that ended the Prague Spring, also ended any hope of fulfilling the agreement between the two manufacturers.

A recently found entry from a CZUB official journal known as "The Chronicle" documented the forgotten beginnings of a partnership never realized.

The portions of the journal entry written in Czech have been translated to English below.


April 26, 1968

Visit of our customers from the United States of America

D.B. Wesson

Karl Lewis

Accompanied by Mr. Hladik from Omnipol (State owned Export Company)

Purpose of visit: CZ factory tour and discussions about extending business relations

We are very favorably impressed with the facilities here and hope that this may be the begi9nning of a long and profitable connection for both your company and ours. With close and harmonious relationships we see nothing but continued success for your company and many firearms traded with the USA.

D B Wesson

I appreciate the opportunity to visit your country and especially your factory. Your factory is very well organized and the products are first class. I am happy that you will be manufacturing many fine products for our company to sell in the U.S. A. I toast to a long and prosperous friendship and understanding for all of us.

Karl Lewis.



About Dan Wesson Firearms:

Dan Wesson Firearms produces a premium line of 1911s and interchangeable barrel revolvers. In 1968, three years after the Wesson family sold Smith&Wesson, Dan Wesson, great-grandson of Smith&Wesson co-founder Daniel B. Wesson, partnered with Karl R. Lewis to manufacturer the Dan Wesson line of revolvers. The current line of Dan Wesson revolvers and 1911s are built in the same spirit of quality and innovation that inspired partnerships involving 2 men of the same name over a century apart.

[Chode]

not any more, but yes it's a stainless steel M6 clone built by CZ under license from Springfield...

i bought it brandy new in 2000 for $185

[Tijeras_Slim]

That’s going on my short list for a truck gun.

[Chode]

good luck... i found only ONE for sale on google, it's blued, it's used, and it's $750!!!

[Delta 21]

Iv got a .357 pistol pack handed down to me from my dad. Iv been shooting it since 1976. Its the best wheel gun you could ask for.....well.....

NO. Make that the best 4 wheel guns you could ask for!

I am drooling at the prospect of a Pointman or other such new fangled contraption to play with!

[Delta 21]

I love my Dan Wesson !!

[2nd Bn, 11th Mar]

I really like my three CZs 1) 75B 9mm 2) 85B Combat 9mm 3) Kadett .22

The 85 and Kadett are spittin’ images with their adjustable sights. And that .22 is more fun to shoot than...well, nevermind. Oh, and one more thing: they were all lost in a canoe accident on the Rappahannock River next Saturday.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I’m patient... ;)

[Chode]

then i wish you the best of luck sir...!!! 8^)

[Envisioning]

Iv got a .357 pistol pack handed down to me from my dad.

I have only seen those for sale a couple of times. I want one.

How fast is the barrel swap?

[doorgunner69]

Always on the lookout for something new and different than the 1911. Had a Glock 17 and a HK USP .40 but sold them both.

I like the CZ/EAA Witness mostly (without the opportunity to handle either) because they are all metal, and the operating scheme is much like the 1911, so minimal muscle memory retraining.

Hawaii gun world sucks for various reasons, one of which is dealers do not stock much of anything to fiddle with and get a feel for.

[Joe 6-pack]

I'm like you when it comes to my 1911A1 and my CZ. I don't like plastic.

Although they may be a bit of a pain for extended carry, you subliminally register a heavier weapon when it's not there, even when you're fatigued or distracted.

Any time I read about a cop or a CCW holder who inadvertently left their firearm in a public restroom or otherwise misplaced it, you can bet that it was a polymer or lightweight alloy frame piece. A steel gun would be conspicuous by its absence.

I do the same thing with my car keys...big ass heavy key chain. When it's not in my pocket, a little alarm goes off :-)