Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod

Built in 1936 at Uherský Brod, deliberately far from the German border, as a dispersal plant for the Strakonice arms works founded in 1919. The precaution was sound and the timing was not. Under Czechoslovak state ownership it produced sporting arms, aircraft cannon and, from 1975, the pistol that made its reputation abroad. It is now one of the largest firearms exporters in Europe and owns Colt.