Is this a Czech VZ23?

[Patrick Chadwick]

Difficult to read, but the crest seems to say: CS. ST. ZBROJOVKA. I.e. the "State Arms Factory" marking. This matches the example shown in Ball, Mauser Military Rifles of the World, P.112 (5th Edition) for a Model 98/22 rifle. Note that the ring is stamped with a "23" - not a "22"

However, the Vz22 was a full-length rifle, and in the description of the Vz23 Ball is careful to note (P.115) that most Vz23s are marked with "Czech Factory for Arms Manufacture" i.e. CS. ZAVODY ... etc. Most - not all.
The knowledge article also states "...VZ23 and VZ24s were later manufactured and bear the Receiver markings CS. ZAVODY, NA VYROBU ZBRANI, BRNO and CESKOLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA BRNO..." I.e. there was more than one possible receiver marking.

So your example appears to be a transitional model Vz23, made while the factory was using up the receivers with the older marking.

All else requires better photos!