The ZK 383 submachine gun was developed in the early 1930s(1936 by some sources) by two Czechoslovaks - the Koucky brothers who were working at Zbrojovka firearms factory located in Brno.

The production of ZK 383 began in 1938. Firstly the ZK 383 was exported to smaller european states such as Bulgaria where it remain in service till 1966 and in some Latin America states - Venezuela and Bolivia. Later, as Nazy Germany occupied Czechoslovakia the production at Brno continued, but mainly for the Waffen SS troops.

Two post-war versions of ZK 383 exist: ZK 383P and ZK 383H. The first intended to be used by police forces - having no bipod and the second one, also produced without a bipod and a foldable magazine - easier carrying.