 The ZH-29 is a gas-operated service rifle with a tilting-bolt locking system similar to that which would be later used in the Sturmgewehr 44; although while the bolt of the German gun tilts vertically, that of the ZH-29 does so to the left side.Externally the most distinctive feature is that the barrel is offset at a slight angle to the receiver to compensate for this.Also unusually, the rifle uses an aluminium barrel jacket.