This is a rare example of a pre-war ZB 26 manufactured at the L K factory in Czechoslovakia. More of these were manufactured for export than were actually manufactured for the Czech military. Under Nazi occupation starting in 1939, these continued to be manufactured as the MG 26 (t) for use by the German military. This series of weapon was originally designed by Vaclav Holek in 1924 and was later assigned the ZB vz. 26 based on the year of adoption. It was an extremely well-designed weapon that proved to be very reliable, so much so it was heavily used by the Germans throughout the war, and it was copied by British in 1935 and chambered in .303 and was commonly called the Bren Gun. This weapon had a very long and successful career being eventually used in over 20 countries around the world including China. It uses a gas operated, piston/operating rod system firing from an open bolt. It had several very distinguishing features; it had a quick change barrel, the barrel has circular cooling rings on the outside, it uses a detachable box magazine that mounted directly on top of the receiver, and it has off-set sights which are mounted on the left side of the gun, so that you can see around the magazine. The sights are calibrated "2-15" (200-1500 meters). The left side of the receiver is marked: "Lehky Kulomet. ZB VZ 26". It is fitted with a walnut buttstock and pistol grip. The stock has a heavy stamped, cupped buttplate. It is complete with a 20 round box magazine.