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In 1954 Czechoslovakia adopted the VZ54 sniper which is built on the original Mosin Nagant action.  Production only lasted three years before they were replaced by the Soviet SVD.  Few have been imported to the US and they seldom are seen on the market.  This particular rifle is owned by Guillermo who lives in Costa Rica and was kind enough to take the pictures and allow them to be used here.  The rifle was purchased from a relative of a Nicaraguan politician who received it as a gift from a Czech or Soviet politician in the '70s or '80s.  The receiver is a WWII era Izhevsk which has had the Soviet markings removed and the Czech "she" arsenal mark, "57" year of manufacture, serial number, and Czech proofs added.

The bolt is a pattern unique among Mosin Nagants with an elongated handle that requires the stock to be inletted.  There is a slot in the knob at the end of the handle which can be used to remove the mount from the receiver rail.  The scope has a dovetail built in to the body and is not held in place with rings.

The scope is Czech made and 2.5x power with no apparent focus adjustment.  The screws that hold the mount to the rail have heads that correspond to the slot in the bolt knob.

The butt has the serial number stamped in the wood on the left side and the sling attaches in a manner similar to the VZ52/VZ57.  The sling itself appears to be the same pattern used on VZ52, VZ57, and VZ58 rifles.  The butt has a pronounced comb and pistol grip in a style more like a sporting rifle than a military sniper.

The rear sight is graduated every 50 meters up to 700 meters and every 100 meters to 1200 meters.  The handguard completely surrounds the rear sight and resembles a Mauser style.  The front sight has an adjustable post and hood on a barrel sleeve.

The following pictures are from another VZ54 sniper and were provided by "Radom" of Gunboards.com.  The action screws have locking screws added to them.

The scope rail mounting holes are visible inside the receiver.

The rear sight base is a sleeve over the barrel.