ZB-53 vz. 37 Machine Gun
Country of Origin | Czechoslovakia |
Type | Machine Gun |
Caliber | 7.920 mm |
Capacity | 225 rounds |
Length | 1.095 m |
Barrel Length | 736.000 mm |
Weight | 19.000 kg |
Rate of Fire | 500 rounds/min |
Muzzle Velocity | 790 m/s |
Contributor: C. Peter Chen
Additional Contributions By: Alan Chanter
Prior to the war, in 1938, the United Kingdom War Office decided that this weapon was the most suitable gun for use in tanks and the manufacturing rights were purchased. Production began in 1939. These weapons were designated Besa Machine Guns, named after their manufacturer, the Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA). Since time was short it was decided not to convert from 7.92-millimeter rimless Mauser ammunition to 0.303-inch rimmed ammunition, which was a difficult task, but retain the 7.92-millimeter calibre and arrange for the manufacture of suitable ammunition in Britain. The BESA tank gun was unusual in that, as well as being gas operated, the barrel also recoiled, and the mechanism was so arranged that the round was fired while the barrel was still moving forward, which reduced the recoil blow. The first models were exactly as the Czechoslovakian original, but BSA later modified the design in order to simplify production and in the process did away with the adjustable rate of fire, setting the rate at 800 rounds per minute. The BESA machine gun was used extensively by the armed forces of United Kingdom during the Second World War as a mounted machine gun for tanks and other armoured vehicles as a replacement for the heavier, water-cooled Vickers machine gun. It was appreciated for its accuracy and reliability and remained in service until replaced by the 0.30-caliber Browning gun in the 1950s.
BSA later license-built the 15-millimeter ZB-60 design, which was generally considered a simple enlargement of the 7.92-millimeter ZB-53 vz. 37 design. Although they used a different ammunition, the 15-millimeter weapons were similarly named BESA Machine Gun.
Sources:
Ian V. Hogg, The illustrated Encyclopedia of Firearms (New Burlington Books. 1978)
Wikipedia ww2dbase
Last Major Revision: Feb 2023
Photographs
Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you. Share this article with your friends: Stay updated with WW2DB: |
Visitor Submitted Comments
23 Sep 2012 06:11:52 PM
Please click on photograph for detailed information.
All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.
- » Autumn 2024 Fundraiser (15 Oct 2024)
- » Nobel Peace Prize for the Atomic Bomb Survivors Organization (11 Oct 2024)
- » Wreck of USS Stewart/DD-224 Found (2 Oct 2024)
- » WW2DB's 19th Anniversary (29 Dec 2023)
- » See all news
- » 1,150 biographies
- » 337 events
- » 43,914 timeline entries
- » 1,241 ships
- » 350 aircraft models
- » 207 vehicle models
- » 372 weapon models
- » 123 historical documents
- » 260 facilities
- » 470 book reviews
- » 28,532 photos
- » 432 maps
Winston Churchill
Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!
Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!
21 Dec 2009 03:35:54 PM
this is a good website