Reply With QuoteI believe Zima comes from the Czech language which might indicate where it was manufactured.
Airgun Alchemist, Collector and Scribe
Two examples of the following pistol are known to date. One cropped up on a Swedish airgun website and another was purchased in Spain. They are clearly labelled “ZIMA”, but there are no other markings on the pistol, other than what is presumably a serial number stamped on the foot of the grip, so its country of origin and manufacturer remain a mystery. The two known serial numbers are 55 and 79, so it is reasonable to assume that only a small number were made, hence there rarity.
The Swedish owner has suggested it may be Russian or Slovak in origin. However, it is probably not Russian as there is no letter Z in the Russian alphabet. Also a specialist in Eastern European air guns has never come across one of these before, so it is unlikely to be Slovak. Other suggestions (guesses) are Spain, Norway or Denmark.
Has anyone seen one of these pistols before, or come across the name “Zima”?
Registered User
I believe Zima comes from the Czech language which might indicate where it was manufactured
Registered User
Zima means winter or cold in Czech, and probably some other Slavic languages too. It is also sometimes a surname; could it be that the plaque represents the name of the owner?
A good resource for Czech/Czechoslovak airguns is here: Vzduchovka.cz I've had a quick look though, and can't find anything relevant.
I'm happy with mine
not seen one before
Airgun Alchemist, Collector and Scribe
The Czech suggestion prompted me to use Google Translate to find out if any other languages use this word, and I was surprised that almost all of the Eastern European countries use the word Zima, and also Sweden. Although there is no Z in Russian and Hungarian, the same word is also there, and if Romanised would also have been written as Zima. In all these languages it has the same meaning "Winter" or Wintertime". I suppose it is a reasonable name for an air pistol, just a bit less aggressive than our Tempests, Tornados, Thunderbolts etc.
The pistol seems to be relatively crudely made. Both examples have the cylinder end cap unnecessarily exposing a lot of excess thread. The grip stippling on the one is distinctly amateur, and while the other pistol has a checkered grip, it is a simple heavy machine cut pattern. The crude construction, IMO, seems to exclude Sweden, Czech Republic , Poland or Hungary as likely contenders. The pistol could more likely be Russian or from one of the smaller Eastern European countries, and was probably made in the austerity Cold War period.
Award-winning Airgun Anorak
Wacky fingernails!
Is that pistol grip in two pieces? From one side it looks deliberate and from the other, a crack.
Vintage Airguns Gallery
..Above link posted with permission from Gareth W-B
In British slang an anorak is a person who has a very strong interest in niche subjects.
Airgun Alchemist, Collector and Scribe
It is very ambiguous Danny. IMO it is a fracture, particularly as the other example has a one-piece grip.Originally Posted by Garvin
Award-winning Airgun Anorak
Yes, looking at it now, I'm sure you're right.
The second grip looks much more 'evolved'.
Vintage Airguns Gallery
..Above link posted with permission from Gareth W-B
In British slang an anorak is a person who has a very strong interest in niche subjects.
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