ZB vz. 30

Vz. 30
Yugoslav-made ZB vz. 30
Type Light machine gun
Place of origin Czechoslovakia
Service history
In service 1926–2009[1]
Used by See Users
Wars Spanish Civil War[2]
World War II
Biafran war
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)[1]
Production history
Designed 1930
Manufacturer Zbrojovka Brno, Military Technical Institute Kragujevac[3]
Specifications
Weight 9.10 kg (20.06 lb)
Length 1,180 mm (46.5 in)
Cartridge 7.92×57mm Mauser
Action Gas-operated, tilting breechblock
Rate of fire 550-650 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 750 m/s (2,461 ft/s)
Effective firing range 1,000 m (1,100 yd)
Feed system 20-round detachable box magazine
Sights Front blade, rear leaf sight

The ZB-30 and ZB-30J were Czechoslovakian light machine guns that saw extensive use during World War II.

History

The Zb 30 and Zb 30J were the later versions of the famous Czechoslovak machine gun, the ZB-26. However, the ZB-30 had some design differences, making it similar to the later ZGB-33, which was an early prototype of the Bren gun.[4] Like the ZB-26, the Wehrmacht adopted the ZB-30 after the occupation of Czechoslovakia, renaming it the MG30(t); it was used in the same role as the MG34, as a light machine gun. In the opening phases of World War II, the ZB-30 in 7.92 mm Mauser caliber was used in large numbers by elements of the German Waffen SS, who did not initially have full access to standard Wehrmacht supply channels.[1]

Comparison of original ZB vz.26 and modifications:

Machine gun ZB vz.26 ZB vz.30 ZB vz.30J
Caliber (mm) 7.92 7.92 7.92
Length (mm) 1165 1180 1204
Weight (kg) 8.84 9.10 9.58
Magazine (rounds) 20 20 20
Rate (round/min) 500 550-650 500-600
Velocity (m/s) 750 750 750

Users

The ZB vz. 30 (officially known as the ZB Model 30 in the Romanian Army) was licensed built in Romania during World War II and was used after the war by the Patriotic Guards.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Grant 2013, p. 65.
  2. ↑ de Quesada, Alejandro (20 Jan 2015). The Spanish Civil War 1936–39 (2): Republican Forces. Men-at-Arms 498. Osprey Publishing. p. 38. ISBN 9781782007852.
  3. ↑ http://www.zastava-arms.rs/sr/imagetext/1919-1941
  4. ↑ Modern Firearms - ZB 26
  5. ↑ Jowett, Philip (2016). Modern African Wars (5): The Nigerian-Biafran War 1967-70. Oxford: Osprey Publishing Press. p. 22. ISBN 978-1472816092.
  6. ↑ Grant 2013, p. 10.
  7. ↑ Jowett, Philip S. (1997). Chinese Civil War Armies 1911-49. Men at Arms 306. Osprey Publishing. p. 36. ISBN 1855326655. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  8. ↑ http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/imagetext/1919-1941
  • McNab, Chris: Twentieth-century Small Arms, Grange Books, 2004; ISBN 1-84013-381-3
  • Grant, Neil (2013). The Bren Gun. Weapon 22. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1782000822.

See also

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.