Brno #3S
Can't seem to get 30 hours in a 24 hour day. The rifle is NOT a regular Brno #3. It is a Brno #3S. The S stands for "Stecher". This is Czech, and it represents the double set triggers.
The #3 is a reasonably rare rifle. The #3S is REALLY rare. Some were supposed to have been used by the 1956 Czech Olympic rifle team. I dug around on the web, in the 1956 Olympics a Czech shooter won either silver or bronze in one rimfire discipline. Sorry, can't recall which one. Frustratingly, there was no equipment list that I could find.
I read somewhere that they were supposed to have cleaned up all over Europe in the 50's. If you google brno #3s and dig awhile, you can get some interesting bits and pieces of info. The #4 shows up often in those searches too.
I bought my rifle from the man who imported them. He told me on the phone that there were about 1000 originally made. After the 1956 Olympics, if I remember correctly, Walther sued Brno for patent infringement over the double set triggers. Brno apparently did not contest the suit and allowed Walther to oversee the destruction of the existing rifles.
They missed 100. Apparently they were all still in boxes when they were found in the 90's. The Czech military had some in the Olympic team, and there were some in a program similar to the DCM. The rifles I have heard of had the stamp on them that indicated that. All of the rifles I have heard of were in mint or near mint condition. I was not kidding about looking like they came out of a time vault.
The #3S and #4 both have a barrel tension setup in the fore end of the stock. I have not shot mine to find out what it can do yet. I want to use a scope and bought some rings like I used on my son's CZ. But I don't want to mar the finish on the reciever. When I make time for it I want to find out what it can do. The people that have #3 and #4 rifles dialed in say that they shoot great. Old boy was probably not hyping the gun when he said it outshoots his Win. 52.
A lot of people have a high regard for CZ's. I do too! Old Brno rifles were the predecessors. Fit and finish are superior. They are forged steel recievers. High quality all around.
The best source of info I have found other than the importer, is rimfirecentral.com forums. Go to the CZ forums. Find " show me your Brno's".
Bring your lunch, you will take a while but there is great info there. Several of those guys have #3S rifles. Including the guy I bought mine from. He goes by brnoman. Great guy, he can get you accesories!
Sorry this is so long, but when you figure out that trigger lets go so incredibly light, I mean it makes my Canjar 2oz. on another rifle feel heavy, you will be addicted to that rifle! You will want to learn all you can, and pass it on to others if you can.
Anyone that can add info, please do!
Take care,
Greg