| ZB-60 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Heavy machine gun |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1938–1944 |
| Used by | See§ Users |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Zbrojovka Brno |
| Designed | 1933–1937[1] |
| Manufacturer | Zbrojovka Vsetín [de][1] |
| Produced | 1938–1944[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 203 kg (447.54 lb) (Gun & Wheeled Tripod)
|
| Length | 2,050 mm (80.71 in) |
| Barrel length | 1,460 mm (57.48 in) |
| Shell | 15×104mm Brno [ru] |
| Caliber | 15 mm (0.59 in) |
| Action | Gas operated, open bolt |
| Carriage | Two-wheel tripod |
| Rate of fire | 420 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | Min: 860 m/s (2,800 ft/s) Max: 930 m/s (3,100 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 1,800 m (1,970 yd) |
| Feed system | 40-roundbelt |
| Sights | Bladed post front, adjustable sight rear |
TheZB-60 was aheavy machine gun designed byZbrojovka Brno inCzechoslovakia during the 1930s.[1][2]
Design efforts started in the early 1930's for a 20mm automatic gun for anti-tank service. In 1933, the design parameters were altered to the 15×104mm Škoda round as a large caliber heavy machine gun. As early as 1934 the ZB-60 was tested by the Czechoslovak military, which did not adopt it due to accuracy concerns and excessive recoil even with its weight. For several years it was planned as a fortification gun where the recoil could be easily managed by stronger mounts, until the heavy machine gun was dropped from the fortification concepts.
Nazi Germany acquired a number of guns after theoccupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 were taken intoWehrmacht service as the15 mmFla. MG 39(t). Under German occupation, new guns were produced for the Wehrmacht andKriegsmarine. After theInvasion of Yugoslavia, former Yugoslav guns were designated as the15 mmFla. MG 490(j). The Germans used them asanti-aircraft guns duringWorld War II.
The British acquired a license, and later developed their15 mm Besa machine gun from the ZB-60 for service on armored fighting vehicles.[1]
Germany
Iran − A batch was sold to Iran.[1]
Slovakia[2]
United Kingdom
Yugoslavia − In 1937 the ZB-60 was adopted by Yugoslavia as theMitraljez 15 mm M.38 and the UK acquired a license.[1]
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