The Vz.58 is a rifle developed in the Czech Republic during the Cold War. The Czechs had initially gone with a 7.62x45mm cartridge for their earlier Vz.52 rifles, but being part of the Warsaw Pact, they were pressured to go for the 7.62x39mm cartridge with their new rifle, to retain ammo commonality if nothing else. In hindsight, a better choice, as the 7.62x45mm cartridge didn't offer all that much more power, about 100fps or so more velocity than 7.62x39mm, and with a comparably weighted projectile, so it wasn't exactly a battle rifle or anything, so might as well use the cartridge your allies are using, it's more practical for an infantry rifle anyway.
This one here is fitted with the really old style furniture made out of actual wood, eventually the Czechs would replace it with furniture made from wood chip infused phenolic resin, colloquially referred to as "Beaver Barf" by westerners. I think the real wood looks nicer, but there's a certain odd charm to the later style.
>>105377That's a nice dog, I hope he feels better soon.
