Does anyone know the history of the witness family of pistols?

[Drtheo]

Does anyone here know the story behind them?  Some people say they are clones, some people call them knock off, and some say they started as licensed copies.

 

I have just been curious about the facts.

[DesertTortoise]

Witness is the US (European American Arms) import name for the tanfoglio pistol. This is a modified copy of the CZ 75 pistol. It is different enough that parts are not compatible. Cold war politics prevented patent protection and there are many CZ clones and varients out there.

 

 

[johnbu]

Initial tanfos 1980s/90s were "small frame" and were close copies of the cz75. That was possible as cz (being a commie country) didn't patent protect the design.

 

Tanfo eventually enlarged the design for 38s, 10mm and 45acp. That included improvements (or changes depending on opinion).

 

The "competition frame" guns with square trigger guards were pretty big improvements over the cz75. The two companies have been tweaking the designs and emulating high points in each design.  just look at the shadow2 next to a Stock 3. Look at a Bull Shadow next to a Stock2. 

 

The winners are consumers in this race.

[Drtheo]

Thanks guys