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ZB vz. 30
Light machine gun From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The ZB-30 and ZB-30J were Czechoslovak light machine guns that saw extensive use during World War II.
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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.[6] 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.[1]
Comparison of original ZB vz.26 and modifications:
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 in 7.92mm Mauser caliber shipped in 1938[8]
Algeria: used by the National Liberation Army.[9]
Biafra[10]
Bolivia: 3,350 in 7.65mm Mauser between 1932 and 1937,[8] used in the Chaco War,[2] still in use in the 1960s[11]
Bulgaria: used as aircraft gun on Kaproni Bulgarski KB-11 Fazan[citation needed]
Czechoslovakia[12]
Republic of China: Imported and produced under license.[13]
Ecuador 750 7.92mm Mauser in 1935-1936[8]
Ethiopia: 400-450 in 7.92mm Mauser ZB vz.30 bought in 1934, used by the Kebur Zabagna[3][8]
Nazi Germany
Guatemala: 50 in 7mm 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 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.[17]
Japan: used captured Chinese guns.[18]
Latvia: 11 in 7.92mm Mauser received in 1936[8]
Manchukuo[19]
Nicaragua: 5 in 7mm Mauser supplied in 1937[8]
Peru: 1,257 in 7.65mm, delivered from 1932 to 1938[8] Some converted to 7.62 NATO.[20]
Romania: Produced under license.[1][21] 17,131 were imported from Czechoslovakia from 1933[8][22] and 10,000 were license-produced at Cugir,[23] with a production rate of 250 pieces per month as of October 1942.[24]
Spain: 20,000 7.92mm Mauser caliber guns ordered[1] but only a few hundred actually delivered. Copied as the Fusil ametrallador Oviedo.[25]
Turkey: 9,805 7.92mm Mauser caliber supplied in 1935–1939.[8] Produced under license[1]
Uruguay: 80 in 7mm received in 1937[8]
Venezuela: 110 in 7mm Mauser caliber ZB-30J received in 1937[8]
Vietnam: Used by the Việt Minh, supplied by both Nationalist and Communist Chinese[26]
Yugoslavia: The ZB Model 30J was produced under license as, Пушкомитраљез 7.9mm модел 1937".[27][28] 15,500 were bought in 1936.[8]
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