ZB-60

The ZB-60 was a heavy machine gun designed by Zbrojovka Brno in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s.^[1][2]

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) Gun only: 55 kg (121.25 lb) Gun Barrel: 23 kg (50.71 lb)
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-round belt
Sights	Bladed post front, adjustable sight rear

History

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 the occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 were taken into Wehrmacht service as the 15 mm Fla. MG 39(t). Under German occupation, new guns were produced for the Wehrmacht and Kriegsmarine. After the Invasion of Yugoslavia, former Yugoslav guns were designated as the 15 mm Fla. MG 490(j). The Germans used them as anti-aircraft guns during World War II.

The British acquired a license, and later developed their 15 mm Besa machine gun from the ZB-60 for service on armored fighting vehicles.^[1]

Users

•  Germany
•  Iran − A batch was sold to Iran.^[1]
•  Slovakia^[2]
• United Kingdom
•  Yugoslavia − In 1937 the ZB-60 was adopted by Yugoslavia as the Mitraljez 15 mm M.38 and the UK acquired a license.^[1]

See also

• Weapons of Czechoslovakia interwar period