ZB-26
ZB-30 | ZGB-33
Overview
ZB-26
Right side view of a ZB-26 light machine gun.
Source: Unknown author -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Václav Holek
China - Taku Naval Dockyard, Gongxian Arsenal, 21st Arsenal, 51st Arsenal (Type 24)
Romania - Cugir arsenal (ZB-30)
Iran - (ZB-30)
Yugoslavia - Zastava (ZB-30J)
LK vz. 26 / lehký kulomet vzor 1926
Czech for "light machine gun model 1926"
Description
Introduction
The ZB-26 is a pre-World War 2 era light machine gun of Czechoslovak origin. It was designed by Václav Holek and is one of the more iconic and influential light machine gun designs around World War 2. The ZB-26 and its later variants proved to be successful on the export market. The occupation of Czechoslovakia halted export sales. After World War 2 export sales continued, but at a limited pace. The war introduced a large surplus of weapons and saw the advent of the universal machine gun as the gold standard for the infantry squad.
Design
The ZB-26 is an air-cooled magazine fed light machine gun. It has a quick change barrel that is finned for improved cooling. The ZB-26 is a gas operated weapon that uses a long stroke gas piston located below the barrel. It is locked using an upward tilting bolt. Intended to be operated by a crew of two, the ZB-26 can also be used by a single soldier. The ZB-26 is normally used from its bipod and can also be mounted on a tripod.
Firepower
The ZB-26 fires the 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge from a 20 round magazine. Cyclic rate of fire is about 500 to 600 rpm. About half of the export versions were produced in 7.92mm Mauser as well. Various other calibers available include 7.65mm Spanish-Mauser, 8mm Bulgarian and .303 British.
Users
The ZB-26 was first adopted in Czechoslovak service in 1928. It saw a widespread export success and several nations acquired license production rights. The most notable is the UK Bren light machine gun, which is discussed in a separate article. China acquired large number for use in the Sino-Japanese war. Under German occupation captured and newly produced weapons were adopted in large numbers. The main reasons being the quality of the weapon and the use of the German standard 7.92mm Mauser cartridge. It was mostly issued to German second-line units, but also saw widespread service in the Waffen SS which did not have access to modern German small arms during the first years of its formation.
Variants
List of production models
ZB-26
First of the two main production models. Produced since 1926 with continuous minor improvements until full scale production from 1928 onward. Unlicensed copies produced in several arsenals in China as the Type 26.
ZB-30
Second of the two main production models. Produced since 1932 with various improvements to the gas system, bolt design, etcetera. It is slightly longer and heavier. Cyclic rate of fire slightly faster as well.
ZGB-33
Variant of the ZB-30 for use with rimmed ammunition. Produced under license in the UK as the Bren. Sold commercially since 1935 by ZB in .303 British to a handful of nations. Also produced in 8mm for Bulgaria.
ZB-30J
Variant of the ZB-30 developed for export to Yugoslavia. Features an adjustable gas system for compatibility with both light and heavy ball 7.92mm Mauser ammunition. Also produced in 7mm Mauser for Venezuela.
ZB-39
Later production model of the ZGB-33 that is nearly identical to the British produced Bren, with many internal parts even being interchangeable, although the magazine is not. Differences include the ability to mount an anti-aircraft sight. Sales of ZGB-33 morphed into the ZB-39, such as the sales to Iraq and Bulgaria.
ZB-26 production
The vast majority of weapons produced are the original ZB-26 and the product-improved ZB-30. These were offered in multiple calibers, although most were produced in 7.92x57mm Mauser.
The ZGB-33 that was produced under license in the United Kingdom as the Bren was not only a prototype, but was also produced for export sales.
Export sales continued for some time after World War 2.
List of prototypes
Details
Media
ZB-26
A ZB-26 light machine gun seen at Great Patriotic War museum in Smolensk in 2015.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
ZB-26
Japanese soldiers posing with a war trophy, a ZB-26 machine gun, in 1939.
Source: k.adachi
Copyright: CC BY-SA 2.5
ZB-26
Czechoslovak soldiers with a ZB-26 light machinegun during pre-war manoeuvre, sometime during the late 1930's.
Source: Unknown photographer of the Czechoslovak Armed Forces
Copyright: Public domain
ZB-26
Right hand view of a ZB-26 light machine gun.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Ammunition
7.92x57mm Mauser
The vast majority of ZB-26 and its variants were produced in 7.92x57mm Mauser.
Related articles
Bren
The ZGB-33 was produced under license in large numbers in the UK as the Bren.