ZB-53
TK vz. 37 | Besa
Overview
ZB-53
Czechoslovak ZB-53 air-cooled heavy machine gun on a tripod mount.
Source: www.modernfirearms.net -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Václav Holek and Miroslav Rolčík
1939 - 1945 (Besa)
United Kingdom - Birmingham Small Arms Company
TK vz. 37 / Těžký kulomet vzor 37 (Czechoslovak service)
Czech for "Heavy machine gun model 1937"
Besa (UK production model)
MG 37(t) (Beutewaffen index)
Romania
Nazi Germany
China
Israel
Description
Introduction
The ZB-53 is an air-cooled medium caliber heavy machine gun of Czechslovak origin. It was developed in the 1930's to replace the water-cooled Schwarzelose machine gun in various roles, including as bunker mounted weapon. A new requirement was for it to be suitable as a vehicle machine gun. The name ZB-53 refers to its manufacturer and being the 3rd iteration of the 5th design lineage. In Czech service it was adopted as the TK vz. 37, referring to its role as heavy machine gun and 1937 as year of adoption. It is best known in the West as the Besa machine gun, which was produced under license in the UK and used on many armored vehicles during World War 2.
Design
The ZB-53 is a gas operated weapon which also has a recoiling barrel. The receiver and tilting bolt are derived from the successful ZB-26 light machine gun. A unique feature of the ZB-53 is the selector for a lower and a higher cyclic rate of fire. This made the design more complicated. The infantry model is used on a heavy tripod and has a finned quick change barrel. The fortification and vehicle models have a heavier barrel since it cannot be changed quickly in the mount. The infantry model has spade grips that double as a the charging handle. The vehicle model has a pistol grip. The infantry model is also fitted with flip-up anti-aircraft sights.
Firepower
The ZB-53 fires the 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge from metal non-disintegrating link belts. These belts are 100 or 200 rounds, or 225 rounds as used in UK service. The rate of fire is selectable. The low setting is 450 to 550 rpm, and the high setting 750 to 850 rpm. The ZB-53 proved to be a reliable weapon, until wear and tear set in. Later UK production models and refurbishments removed the selectable rate of fire to reduce cost and improve long term reliability.
Users
The ZB-53 was adopted by Czechoslovakia in 1937. Export sales started already with the 1935 model, including on armored vehicles such as the AH-IV tankette. About 20 nations adopted the ZB-53 in some form. The most notable being the United Kingdom, which produced over 60.000 under license as the Besa. This was used on many armored vehicles and tanks during World War 2. Nazi Germany used captured and newly produced guns as Beutewaffen. The Wehrmacht mostly used the vehicle model on captured vehicles such as the Panzer 38(t) and subsequent use of the chassis like the Marder III. Infantry models were used by the Waffen SS until wider access to standard issue German small arms was established. The ZB-53 could also be found on the Atlantikwall and other fortifications.
Variants
Besa
A Royal Tank Regiment Sergeant instructing on the 7.92mm Besa machine gun. The Besa was not used in the infantry role in UK service, but is fitted in reverse on a Vickers tripod to allow instruction outside an armored vehicle.
Source: The Tank Museum -
© Copyright lies with original owner
List of ZB-53 variants
Details
Ammunition
7.92x57mm Mauser
The ZB-53 is chambered for the 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge.
Even the UK produced Besa model uses the 7.92x57mm cartridge. Although a .303 British prototype was developed at ZB and did well in testing, production for the original 7.92mm model was already set up and these guns were urgently needed.
Media
ZB-53
German Waffen SS troops seen with ZB-53 on a tripod in lowest setting during World War 2. The ZB-53 was known as the MG 37(t) in Nazi German service.
Source: Unknown author via www.thearmorylife.com
Copyright: Public domain
ZB-53
Israeli soldiers with ZB-53 machine gun with optical sight near the village of Sasa in 1948.
Source: National Photo Collection of Israel
Copyright: Public domain
ZB-53
Israeli soldiers with ZB-53 machine gun in sitting position as seen during Operation Horev in January of 1949.
Source: Nadav Man Collection via National Library of Israel
Copyright: Public domain
ZB-53
Israeli soldiers with ZB-53 machine gun in prone position as seen during Operation Horev in January of 1949.
Source: Nadav Man Collection via National Library of Israel
Copyright: Public domain
ZB-53
Israeli soldiers with ZB-53 with anti-aircraft sight and bipod in anti-aircraft position as seen in 1951.
Source: National Library of Israel
Copyright: CC BY 4.0
Platforms
AH-IV
The Iranian AH-IV-P and Romanian R-1 tankettes were armed with the Vz. 35. The Ethiopian AH-IV-Hb was armed with the Vz. 37.
Related articles
ZB-26
The tilting bolt mechanism of the ZB-53 is similar to the design used on the earlier ZB-26 series of light machine guns.
ZB-60
Upscaled ZB-53 firing 15mm ammunition. Best known as the Besa 15mm used on various UK armored vehicles during World War 2.