ZB vz. 30
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The ZB-30 and ZB-30J were Czechoslovak 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.[1] Like the ZB-26, the Wehrmacht adopted the ZB-30 after the occupation of Czechoslovakia, renaming it the MG 30(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.Template:Sfn
Comparison of original ZB vz.26 and modifications:
| Machine gun | ZB vz.26 | ZB vz.30 | ZB vz.30J (note) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Note - The ZB 30J was a late design iteration of the ZB 30 for sale to Yugoslavia (originally spelled with a J) that featured an adjustable gas system so that commonly available light and heavy 7.92mm ball ammunition would cycle the mechanism.[2]
Users
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- Template:Country data Kingdom of Afghanistan: 2,000 in 7.92mm Mauser caliber shipped in 1938[3]
- File:Flag of Algeria.svg Algeria: used by the National Liberation Army.[4]
- Template:Country data Biafra[5]
- File:Flag of Bolivia.svg Bolivia: 3,350 in 7.65mm Mauser between 1932 and 1937,[3] used in the Chaco War,[6] still in use in the 1960s[7]
- File:Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria: used as aircraft gun on Kaproni Bulgarski KB-11 FazanScript error: No such module "Unsubst".
- File:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg CzechoslovakiaTemplate:Sfn
- Template:Flagicon Republic of China: Imported and produced under license.[8]
- File:Flag of Ecuador.svg Ecuador 750 7.92mm Mauser in 1935-1936[3]
- File:Flag of Ethiopia.svg Ethiopia: 400-450 in 7.92mm Mauser ZB vz.30 bought in 1934, used by the Kebur Zabagna[9][3]
- File:Flag of Germany (1935–1945).svg Nazi Germany
- File:Flag of Guatemala.svg Guatemala: 50 in 7mm Mauser, delivered in 1937[10][3]
- File:State Flag of Iran (1925).svg Iran:[11] produced under license. Modified to fire the .30 cartridge.Template:Sfn
- Template:Country data Kingdom of Italy: An unspecified number were captured in Ethiopia and in Yugoslavia. By July 1942, 936 were listed in the Regio Esercito's inventory. Experiments were conducted in converting them to the 8×59mm Rb Breda cartridge. In March 1943, they were issued to territorial units in Lazio, Liguria, and Tuscany.[12]
- Template:Flagcountry: used captured Chinese guns.Template:Sfn
- File:Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia: 11 in 7.92mm Mauser received in 1936[3]
- File:Flag of Manchukuo.svg Manchukuo[13]
- File:Flag of Nicaragua.svg Nicaragua: 5 in 7mm Mauser supplied in 1937[3]
- File:Flag of Peru.svg Peru: 1,257 in 7.65mm, delivered from 1932 to 1938[3] Some converted to 7.62 NATO.[14]
- Template:Flagcountry: Produced under license.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn 17,131 were imported from Czechoslovakia from 1933[3][15] and 10,000 were license-produced at Cugir,[16] with a production rate of 250 pieces per month as of October 1942.[17]
- File:Flag of Spain (1938–1945).svg Spain: 20,000 7.92mm Mauser caliber guns orderedTemplate:Sfn but only a few hundred actually delivered. Copied as the Fusil ametrallador Oviedo.[18]
- File:Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey: 9,805 7.92mm Mauser caliber supplied in 1935–1939.[3] Produced under licenseTemplate:Sfn
- File:Flag of Uruguay.svg Uruguay: 80 in 7mm received in 1937[3]
- File:Flag of Venezuela.svg Venezuela: 110 in 7mm Mauser caliber ZB-30J received in 1937[3]
- File:Flag of Vietnam.svg Vietnam: Used by the Việt Minh, supplied by both Nationalist and Communist Chinese[19]
- File:Flag of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.svg Yugoslavia: The ZB Model 30J was produced under license as, Пушкомитраљез 7.9mm модел 1937".[20]Template:Sfn 15,500 were bought in 1936.[3]
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References
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- ↑ Mark Axworthy, London: Arms and Armour, 1995, Third Axis, Fourth Ally: Romanian Armed Forces in the European War, 1941–1945, p. 29
- ↑ John Walter, Greenhill Books, 2004, Guns of the Third Reich, p. 86
- ↑ Mark Axworthy, London: Arms and Armour, 1995, Third Axis, Fourth Ally: Romanian Armed Forces in the European War, 1941–1945, p. 75
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- McNab, Chris: Twentieth-century Small Arms, Grange Books, 2004; Template:ISBN
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