ZB-53
Zbrojovka Brno · Machine Gun · Out Of Production · 1937
Also known as: ZB vz. 37, kulomet vz. 37, TK vz. 37, BESA
Overview
The ZB-53 (Czechoslovak Army designation kulomet vz. 37) was a gas-operated, air-cooled, belt-fed heavy machine gun designed at Zbrojovka Brno. Chambered for the 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge and fed from a 225-round metal-link belt, it offered a user-selectable rate of fire and a quick-change barrel rated for about five minutes of sustained firing. Built in infantry, heavy-bunker and armoured-vehicle versions, it was widely exported and was licence-built in Britain as the BESA tank machine gun, which saw extensive Second World War service.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 21000 g (740.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1105 mm (43.50") |
| Barrel Length | 736 mm (28.98") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Magazine Capacity | 225 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 792 m/s (2598 fps) |
| Effective Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 4000 m (4374 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 700 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
Calibers
- 7.92x57mm Mauser · primary — also known as 8mm Mauser, 7.92x57mm, 8x57mm IS
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Belt
- Features: Gas Operated, Air Cooled, Belt Fed, Quick Change Barrel, Selectable Rate Of Fire, Tripod Mounted
Variants
- BESA — Vehicle Mounted
Service history
Operators
- Czechoslovak Army · adopted 1937 · as Kulomet vz. 37
- British Army · adopted 1939 · as BESA
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1937-1945
Produced at Zbrojovka Brno and, as the BESA, under licence in Britain; totals unknown
Origin
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Designer: Václav Holek
Notes
Distinct from the lighter ZB-26/ZB-30 light machine guns. The British BESA was a near-direct licence derivative used in tanks. Rate of fire was selectable, commonly cited between 500 and 800 rpm; 700 rpm given as a representative figure.
Background
Captured ZB-53 guns were eagerly pressed into German service as the MG 37(t), while in Britain the design lived on as the BESA, retaining its 7.92mm chambering even though it was an oddity in an otherwise .303-standard British arsenal, purely because rebarreling the proven Brno design was not worth the trouble.