| ZB-30 | |
|---|---|
 Yugoslav-made ZB vz. 30 | |
| Type | Light machine gun |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia Romania(license) Yugoslavia(license) |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1930–2009[1] |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | Chaco War[2] Second Italo-Ethiopian War[3] Spanish Civil War[4] World War II First Indochina War Algerian War Biafran war War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)[1] |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1930 |
| Manufacturer | Zbrojovka Brno,Cugir Arms Factory,Military Technical Institute Kragujevac[5] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 9.10 kg (20.06 lb) |
| Length | 1,180 mm (46.5 in) |
| Cartridge | 7.92×57mm Mauser |
| Action | Gas-operated, tilting breechblock |
| Rate of fire | 550-650 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 750 m/s (2,461 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 1,000 m (1,100 yd) |
| Feed system | 20-round detachable boxmagazine |
| Sights | Front blade, rear leaf sight |
TheZB-30 andZB-30J wereCzechoslovakianlight machine guns that saw extensive use during World War II.
The Zb 30 and Zb 30J were the later versions of the famous Czechoslovak machine gun, theZB-26. However, the ZB-30 had some design differences, making it similar to the later ZGB-33, which was an early prototype of theBren gun.[6] Like the ZB-26, theWehrmacht adopted the ZB-30 after the occupation of Czechoslovakia, renaming it theMG30(t); it was used in the same role as theMG34, 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 GermanWaffen-SS, who did not initially have full access to standardWehrmacht supply channels.[1]
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.[7]
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Kingdom of Afghanistan: 2,000 in7.92mm Mauser caliber shipped in 1938[8]
Algeria: used by theNational Liberation Army.[9]
Biafra[10]
Bolivia: 3,350 in7.65mm Mauser between 1932 and 1937,[8] used in theChaco War,[2] still in use in the 1960s[11]
Bulgaria: used as aircraft gun onKaproni Bulgarski KB-11 Fazan[citation needed]
Czechoslovakia[12]
Republic of China: Imported and produced under license.[13]
Ecuador 7507.92mm Mauser in 1935-1936[8]
Ethiopia: 400-450 in7.92mm Mauser ZB vz.30 bought in 1934, used by theKebur Zabagna[3][8]
Nazi Germany
Guatemala: 50 in7mm Mauser, delivered in 1937[14][8]
Iran:[15] produced under license. Modified to fire the .30 cartridge.[16]
Kingdom of Italy: An unspecified number were captured in Ethiopia and in Yugoslavia. By July 1942, 936 were listed in theRegio Esercito's inventory. Experiments were conducted in converting them to the8×59mm Rb Breda cartridge. In March 1943, they were issued to territorial units inLazio,Liguria, andTuscany.[17]
Japan: used captured Chinese guns.[18]
Latvia: 11 in7.92mm Mauser received in 1936[8]
Manchukuo[19]
Nicaragua: 5 in7mm Mauser supplied in 1937[8]
Peru: 1,257 in 7.65mm, delivered from 1932 to 1938[8] Some converted to7.62 NATO.[20]
Romania: Produced under license.[1][21] 17,131 were imported from Czechoslovakia from 1933[8][22] and 10,000 were license-produced atCugir,[23] with a production rate of 250 pieces per month as of October 1942.[24]
Spain: 20,0007.92mm Mauser caliber guns ordered[1] but only a few hundred actually delivered. Copied as theFusil ametrallador Oviedo.[25]
Turkey: 9,8057.92mm Mauser caliber supplied in 1935–1939.[8] Produced under license[1]
Uruguay: 80 in 7mm received in 1937[8]
Venezuela: 110 in7mm Mauser caliber ZB-30J received in 1937[8]
Vietnam: Used by theViệt Minh, supplied by both Nationalist and Communist Chinese[26].svg)
Yugoslavia: The ZB Model 30J was produced under license as, Пушкомитраљез 7.9mm модел 1937".[27][28] 15,500 were bought in 1936.[8]