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)
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Last Major Revision: Feb 2023
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