Zastava M53

Šarac

Overview

M53 Šarac

Yugoslav M53 Šarac machine gun on a tripod mount.
Source: Unknown author - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin

Yugoslavia
Nazi Germany

Type

Machine gun

Entered service

1953

Status

Obsolete

Development

Early 1950's

Developer

Yugoslavia

Production

1953 - 1980's?

Producer

Yugoslavia - Zastava

Number produced

Tens of thousands (estimate)

Designations

Mitrajez 7.9mm M53 (Yugoslav service)
Šarac (nickname)
M53/42 (original MG42 in Yugoslav service)

Notable users

Yugoslavia
Iraq

Description

Introduction

The M53 is an early Cold War era machine gun of Yugoslav origin. The M53 is the local production model of the Nazi German MG42. Being produced on formerly German factory equipment the M53 is the closest post WW2 production model of the MG42 design family of machine guns. The 7.92x57mm Mauser ammunition remained in widespread use alongside Soviet calibers in the Yugoslav military.

Design

The M53 is practically identical to the Nazi German MG42 as producing during World War 2. The main differences include a reduced rate of fire and omission of the anti-aircraft sight. The reduced rate of fire is achieved by using a heavier bolt. Captured MG42s were refurbished and brought to this standard in Yugoslavia as the M53/42.

Firepower

The M53 is a belt-fed weapon that fires the 7.92x57mm Mauser round. Cyclic rate of fire is about 950 rpm. This makes it more controllable than the 1.200 rpm in the original MG42. Effective range against area targets is about 800 m from the bipod and up to 1.5 km using a tripod mount.

Users

The M53 was standard issue for infantry squads in the Yugoslav People's Army until the local production variant of the PKM was introduced. Many M53 remained in storage and were in widespread use during the various conflicts upon break-up of Yugoslavia. The M53 was also offered for export and saw adoption in Africa, South America and the Middle East. Users include Iraq, Ecuador, Angola and Cyprus.