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Difference between revisions of "ZB-53 / vz. 37"

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The '''ZB-53 / vz. 37''' air-cooled, belt-fed machine-gun was manufactured by the Czechoslovak arms ZB factory. It was a gas operated, automatic-only weapon (with selectable rate of fire), which fires from an open bolt. The ZB-53 uses belt feed, from non-disintegrating steel belts which are fed from the right side only. The ZB-53 was issued with tripods of several designs.
+
[[File:ZB-53 machine gun no turret.jpg|thumb|right|451px|ZB 53 / vz. 37 - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
 +
The '''ZB-53''' or '''vz.37''' air-cooled, belt-fed machine gun was manufactured by the Czechoslovak arms ZB factory. It was a gas-operated, automatic-only weapon (with a selectable rate of fire), which fires from an open bolt. The ZB-53 uses belt feed, from non-disintegrating steel belts which are fed from the right side only. The ZB-53 was issued with tripods of several designs.
  
−
These machine guns were also mounted into tanks by various nations like the Czech LT vz. 35 and LT vz. 38, the German Panzerkampfwagen 35(t) and Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) and most British tank designs of the WW2 period. The British Birmingham Small Arms Company manufactured licensed modification of the tank version of ZB-53 named the '''Besa Machine Gun'''. It also served in large quantities in the German Army of WW2 under the designation '''MG 37(t)''' (infantry tripod and tank version).
+
These machine guns were also mounted into tanks by various nations like the Czech LT vz. 35 and LT vz. 38, the German Panzerkampfwagen 35(t) and Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) and most British tank designs of the WW2 period. The British Birmingham Small Arms Company manufactured a licensed modification of the tank version of ZB-53 named the '''Besa Machine Gun'''. It also served in large quantities in the German Army of WW2 under the designation '''MG 37(t)''' (infantry tripod and tank version).
 +
<br>
 +
*'''ZB-53''': The original name of the manufacturer.
 +
*'''vz.37''': Name adopted by the Czechoslovak Army. It is no different from the original.
 +
*'''MG 37(t)''': Versions taken over by the German Army and deployed to service. It is no different from the original.
 +
*'''Besa''': British versions of the machine gun. 3 versions were created. (Mk.1/Mk.2/Mk.3). Photos of all versions can be seen on the [[Talk:ZB-53_/_vz._37|talk page]].
 +
<br>
  
−
[[File:ZB-53 machine gun no turret.jpg|thumb|right|400px|ZB 53 / vz. 37 machine gun - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
+
=Specifications=
−
[[Image:ZB-53.jpg|thumb|right|400px|ZB 53 / vz. 37 machine gun on tripod - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
 
−
[[Image:BESA.jpg|thumb|right|400px|British Besa tank machine gun - 7.92×57mm Mauser]]
 
−
 
 
−
==Specifications==
 
 
*'''Caliber''': 7.92x57mm Mauser
 
*'''Caliber''': 7.92x57mm Mauser
 
*'''Weight''': 21 kg (41.9 lb) gun + 17.5 (38.6 lb) tripod
 
*'''Weight''': 21 kg (41.9 lb) gun + 17.5 (38.6 lb) tripod
Line 15: Line 18:
 
*'''Capacity''': 100 or 200 rounds belt
 
*'''Capacity''': 100 or 200 rounds belt
  
 +
<br clear=all>
 
{{Gun Title}}
 
{{Gun Title}}
 +
-----
  
−
==Film==
+
===Film===
−
 
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
 
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
 
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
Line 33: Line 37:
 
| ''[[Action B (Akce B)]]'' || || Czechoslovak soldiers || || 1952
 
| ''[[Action B (Akce B)]]'' || || Czechoslovak soldiers || || 1952
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Paratrooper]]'' || || British troops || Besa; mounted on Daimler Armoured Car || 1953
+
| ''[[The Unconquered (Neporazení)]]'' || [[Jirí Sovák]] || Pvt. Jarda || Mounted in the bunker loopholes || 1958
−
|-
 
−
| ''[[A Hill in Korea]]'' || || || Besa; mounted in Comet tank || 1956
 
−
|-
 
−
| ''[[Unconquered, The (Neporazení)|The Unconquered (Neporazení)]]'' || [[Jirí Sovák]] || Pvt. Jarda || Mounted in the bunker loopholes || 1958
 
−
|-
 
−
| ''[[Gorgo]]'' || || British troops || Besa; mounted on Daimler Armoured Car || 1961
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Hell Is for Heroes]]'' || || German soldiers || Stock footage || 1962
+
| ''[[Hell Is for Heroes]]'' || || German soldiers || Stock footage || 1962
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[At Your Threshold (U Tvoyego Poroga)]]'' || || German troops || Mounted in Pz.Kpfw.38(t) light tank || 1964  
+
| ''[[At Your Threshold (U Tvoyego Poroga)]]'' || || German troops || Mounted in Pz.Kpfw.38(t) light tank || 1964  
 
|-
 
|-
 
| ''[[Cast a Giant Shadow]]''|| ||Haganah troops||mounted on Haganah jeeps||1966
 
| ''[[Cast a Giant Shadow]]''|| ||Haganah troops||mounted on Haganah jeeps||1966
Line 53: Line 51:
 
| ''[[Go and Don't Say Goodbye (Chod a nelúc sa)]]''|| || German soldiers || || 1979
 
| ''[[Go and Don't Say Goodbye (Chod a nelúc sa)]]''|| || German soldiers || || 1979
 
|-
 
|-
−
| rowspan="2"|''[[Signum Laudis]]'' || [[Vlado Müller]] || Cpl. Hoferik || Mocked as [[Schwarzlose Machine Gun Model 07/12|Schwarzlose M.07/12]] || rowspan="2"|1980
+
| rowspan="2"|''[[Signum Laudis]]'' || [[Vlado Müller]] || Cpl. Hoferik || Mocked as [[Schwarzlose M.07/12]] || rowspan="2"|1980
 
|-
 
|-
 
|  ||Russian soldiers || Mocked as [[Maxim M1910]]
 
|  ||Russian soldiers || Mocked as [[Maxim M1910]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
| rowspan="3"|''[[Until the End (Až do konce)]]'' || [[Vítezslav Jandák ]] || SS-''Scharführer'' Otto || rowspan="3"| || rowspan="3"|1984
+
| rowspan="3"|''[[Until the End (Až do konce)]]'' || [[Vítezslav Jandák]] || SS-''Scharführer'' Otto || rowspan="3"| || rowspan="3"|1984
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Eduard Cupák]] || SS-''Hauptsturmführer''
 
| [[Eduard Cupák]] || SS-''Hauptsturmführer''
Line 63: Line 61:
 
| [[Daniel Netušil]] || Sigi  
 
| [[Daniel Netušil]] || Sigi  
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Romeo Must Die]]'' || || Chinese prison guard || || 2000  
+
| ''[[Romeo Must Die]]'' || || Chinese prison guard || || 2000  
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Hart's War]]'' || || German soldiers || || 2002  
+
| ''[[Hart's War]]'' || || German soldiers || || 2002  
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Deathwatch]] || || German soldiers  || Mocked up as [[Maxim MG08]] ||  2002
+
| ''[[Deathwatch]] || || German soldiers  || Mocked up as [[Maxim MG08]] ||  2002
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Our Own (Svoi)]]'' || || German troops  || Mounted in Pz.Kpfw.38(t) light tank || 2004  
+
| ''[[Our Own (Svoi)]]'' || || German troops  || Mounted in Pz.Kpfw.38(t) light tank || 2004  
 
|-
 
|-
 
| ''[[The Red Baron]]'' || || German soldiers || Mocked up as [[Maxim MG08]]  || 2008
 
| ''[[The Red Baron]]'' || || German soldiers || Mocked up as [[Maxim MG08]]  || 2008
Line 75: Line 73:
 
| ''[[Lieutenant Suvorov]]'' || || German troops || Mounted on Pz.Kpfw.38(t) light tank; possibly mockups || 2009
 
| ''[[Lieutenant Suvorov]]'' || || German troops || Mounted on Pz.Kpfw.38(t) light tank; possibly mockups || 2009
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Stalingrad (2013)|Stalingrad]]'' || || German soldiers || || 2013
+
| ''[[Stalingrad (2013)|Stalingrad]]'' || || German soldiers || || 2013
 +
|-
 +
| ''[[John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum]]'' || || || Seen in armory || 2019
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
==Television==
+
===Television===
−
 
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
 
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
 
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
Line 97: Line 96:
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
==Video Games==
+
===Video Games===
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
 +
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
 +
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="280"|'''Game Title'''
 +
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Appears as'''
 +
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="250"|'''Note'''
 +
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="50"|'''Date'''
 +
|-
 +
| ''[[Hidden & Dangerous 2]] || || || 2003
 +
|-
 +
| ''[[Forgotten Hope 2]] || MG37(t) || Mounted in Marder III || 2006
 +
|-
 +
| ''[[Heroes & Generals]]'' || MG37(t) || Mounted in Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf. E || 2016
 +
|-
 +
| ''[[Squad 44: Letters From The Front]]'' || "ZB-53" || Mounted in Panzer 38(t) || 2018
 +
|-
 +
| ''[[Battlefield V]]'' || MG37(t) || MG37(t); mounted on German Panzer 38 (T) || 2018
 +
|-
 +
| ''[[Enlisted]]'' || || MG37(t) Mounted on Pz.38 (t) F tanks|| 2021
 +
|-
 +
| ''[[Call to Arms - Gates of Hell: Ostfront]]'' || || MG37(t) Mounted on Pz.38 (t) F tanks|| 2021
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 +
===Anime===
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
 +
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
 +
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="275"|'''Anime Title'''
 +
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="275"|'''Character'''
 +
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="300"|'''Note'''
 +
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="100"|'''Date'''
 +
|-
 +
| ''[[Girls und Panzer]]'' || Panzer 38(t) || ZB-53 || 2012 - 2013
 +
|-
 +
|''[[Girls und Panzer: This is the Real Anzio Battle!]]'' || Panzer 38(t) || ZB-53 || 2014
 +
|-
 +
| ''[[Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 2]]'' || Panzer 38(t) || ZB-53 ||  2019
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 +
=Besa Machine Gun=
 +
[[Image:BESA.jpg|thumb|right|451px|Besa Mark 2 tank machine gun - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
 +
The '''Besa''' machine gun was developed in Czechoslovakia and was used by the British Army during the Second World War. Great Britain agreed with Zbrojovka Brno on the licensed reproduction of two weapons. One was the [[Bren]] light machine gun and the other was a heavy machine gun that corresponded to the Czech ZB vz. 37. BESA is derived from the pronounced abbreviation BSA of the manufacturer ''Birmingham Small Arms Company''.
 +
 +
While the light Bren could be converted to the British ordnance cartridge .303 British, this was not possible with the Besa. The ammunition belts and the loading mechanism would have had to be converted to the British rimfire cartridge. The original 7.92 mm Mauser caliber with its rimless case therefore had to be retained. This cartridge was the standard ammunition of the Czechoslovakian army, as well as that of the German Wehrmacht. A special factory was built in Great Britain to ensure the supply of ammunition for this weapon. In order to limit the logistical problems, the Besa was only issued to the armored forces, but not to the infantry. A total of around 60,000 were produced.
 +
 +
The Besa-MG is a gas-operated loader. In contrast to other weapons of this type, the barrel is not rigidly mounted but slides back slightly after the shot. The subsequent forward movement of the barrel is synchronized with the release of the next shot in such a way that the forces roughly cancel each other out. As a result, the recoil is comparatively low, making the weapon easy to control and precise.
 +
 +
There is also an extra-heavy machine gun in 15x104 mm caliber, also known as the Besa. Technically, it is quite similar to the 7.92 mm version, but the 15 mm variant is more than 2 meters long and weighs almost three times as much at 57 kg.
 +
 +
<br clear=all>
 +
{{Gun Title|Besa Machine Gun}}
 +
-----
 +
 +
===Film===
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
 +
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
 +
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="280"|'''Title'''
 +
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="170"|'''Actor'''
 +
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Character'''
 +
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="250"|'''Note'''
 +
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="50"|'''Date'''
 +
|-
 +
| ''[[Paratrooper]]'' || || British troops || Mounted on Daimler Armoured Car || 1953
 +
|-
 +
| ''[[A Hill in Korea]]'' || || || Mounted in Centaur tank || 1956
 +
|-
 +
| ''[[Gorgo]]'' || || British troops || Mounted on Daimler Armoured Car || 1961
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 +
===Video Games===
 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
 
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
 
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
Line 106: Line 175:
 
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="50"|'''Date'''
 
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="50"|'''Date'''
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Call of Duty 2]] || Besa || Mounted on Crusader tanks || 2005
+
| ''[[Call of Duty 2]] || || Mounted on Crusader tanks || 2005
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Forgotten Hope 2]] || MG37(t) || Mounted in Marder III || 2006
+
| ''[[Company of Heroes (2006)|Company of Heroes]]'' || || Mounted on British tanks || 2006
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Darkest Hour: Europe '44-'45]] || Besa || Mounted on Cromwell Mk IV || 2006
+
| ''[[Darkest Hour: Europe '44-'45]] || || Mounted on Cromwell Mk IV || 2006
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Company of Heroes 2]]'' || Besa || Mounted on British Tanks || 2013
+
| ''[[Company of Heroes 2]]'' || || Mounted on British Tanks || 2013
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Sniper Elite III]]'' || Besa || Mounted on British Matilda Tanks || 2014
+
| ''[[Sniper Elite III]]'' || || Mounted on British Matilda Tanks || 2014
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Heroes & Generals]]'' || MG37(t) || Mounted in Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf. E || 2016
+
| ''[[Call of Duty: WWII]]'' || || Mounted on a British Light Tank Mk VI || 2017
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Call of Duty: WWII]]'' || Besa || Mounted on a British Light Tank Mk VI || 2017
+
| ''[[Squad 44: Letters From The Front]]'' || "Besa" || Used in British armor || 2018
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Post Scriptum]]'' || "ZB-53"/"Besa" || ZB-53 mounted in Panzer 38(t) and Besa used in British armor || 2018
+
| ''[[Battlefield V]]'' || || Mounted on British Tanks || 2018
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Battlefield V]]'' || Besa and MG37(t) || Mounted on British Tanks and German Panzer 38 (T) || 2018
+
| ''[[Call of Duty: Vanguard]]'' || || Mounted on Crusader tanks || 2021
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Call of Duty: Vanguard]]'' || Besa || Mounted on Crusader tanks || 2021
+
| ''[[Enlisted]]'' || || Mounted on British tanks || 2021
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''[[Enlisted]]'' || MG37(t) || Mounted on Pz.38 (t) F tanks || 2021
+
| ''[[Call to Arms - Gates of Hell: Ostfront]]'' || || Mounted on British tanks || rowspan=2| 2021
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
== Anime ==
+
===Anime===
 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
 
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
 
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
Line 138: Line 207:
 
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="100"|'''Date'''
 
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="100"|'''Date'''
 
|-
 
|-
−
|rowspan=2 | ''[[Girls und Panzer]]'' || Panzer 38(t) || ZB-53 || rowspan=2 | 2012 - 2013
+
| ''[[Girls und Panzer]]'' || || Mounted on Churchill and Matilda Tanks || 2012 - 2013
−
|-
 
−
| Churchill and Matilda Tanks || Besa variant
 
−
|-
 
−
|''[[Girls und Panzer: This is the Real Anzio Battle!]]'' || Panzer 38(t) || ZB-53 || 2014
 
−
|-
 
−
|''[[Girls und Panzer: der Film]]'' || Churchill, Crusader and Matilda tanks || Besa variant || 2015
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|''[[Witch Craft Works]]'' || || mounted in Churchill Mk IV, "Takamiya-kun and Kagari-san's Wound" (ep.08) || 2014
+
| ''[[Girls und Panzer: der Film]]'' || || Mounted on Churchill, Crusader and Matilda tanks || 2015
 
|-
 
|-
−
|rowspan=2 | ''[[Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 2]]'' || Panzer 38(t) || ZB-53 || rowspan=2 | 2019
+
| ''[[Witch Craft Works]]'' || || Ep. 08; mounted in Churchill Mk IV || 2014
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Churchill and Matilda Tanks || Besa variant
+
| ''[[Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 2]]'' || || Churchill and Matilda Tanks || 2019
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}

Latest revision as of 10:49, 4 February 2024

ZB 53 / vz. 37 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The ZB-53 or vz.37 air-cooled, belt-fed machine gun was manufactured by the Czechoslovak arms ZB factory. It was a gas-operated, automatic-only weapon (with a selectable rate of fire), which fires from an open bolt. The ZB-53 uses belt feed, from non-disintegrating steel belts which are fed from the right side only. The ZB-53 was issued with tripods of several designs.

These machine guns were also mounted into tanks by various nations like the Czech LT vz. 35 and LT vz. 38, the German Panzerkampfwagen 35(t) and Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) and most British tank designs of the WW2 period. The British Birmingham Small Arms Company manufactured a licensed modification of the tank version of ZB-53 named the Besa Machine Gun. It also served in large quantities in the German Army of WW2 under the designation MG 37(t) (infantry tripod and tank version).

  • ZB-53: The original name of the manufacturer.
  • vz.37: Name adopted by the Czechoslovak Army. It is no different from the original.
  • MG 37(t): Versions taken over by the German Army and deployed to service. It is no different from the original.
  • Besa: British versions of the machine gun. 3 versions were created. (Mk.1/Mk.2/Mk.3). Photos of all versions can be seen on the talk page.


Specifications

  • Caliber: 7.92x57mm Mauser
  • Weight: 21 kg (41.9 lb) gun + 17.5 (38.6 lb) tripod
  • Length: 1096 mm (43.1 in)
  • Barrel length: 733 mm (28.9 in)
  • Rate of fire: Selectable, 500 or 700-800 rpm
  • Capacity: 100 or 200 rounds belt


The ZB-53 / vz. 37 and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Ivan Nikulin: Russian Sailor (Ivan Nikulin - Russkiy Matros) German soldiers and Soviet sailors 1944
Little Partisan (Malý partyzán) Czechoslovak soldier 1950
Action B (Akce B) Czechoslovak soldiers 1952
The Unconquered (Neporazení) Jirí Sovák Pvt. Jarda Mounted in the bunker loopholes 1958
Hell Is for Heroes German soldiers Stock footage 1962
At Your Threshold (U Tvoyego Poroga) German troops Mounted in Pz.Kpfw.38(t) light tank 1964
Cast a Giant Shadow Haganah troops mounted on Haganah jeeps 1966
Judith Haganah troops 1966
Revenge (Revansa) Seen in the weapon room 1978
Go and Don't Say Goodbye (Chod a nelúc sa) German soldiers 1979
Signum Laudis Vlado Müller Cpl. Hoferik Mocked as Schwarzlose M.07/12 1980
Russian soldiers Mocked as Maxim M1910
Until the End (Až do konce) Vítezslav Jandák SS-Scharführer Otto 1984
Eduard Cupák SS-Hauptsturmführer
Daniel Netušil Sigi
Romeo Must Die Chinese prison guard 2000
Hart's War German soldiers 2002
Deathwatch German soldiers Mocked up as Maxim MG08 2002
Our Own (Svoi) German troops Mounted in Pz.Kpfw.38(t) light tank 2004
The Red Baron German soldiers Mocked up as Maxim MG08 2008
Lieutenant Suvorov German troops Mounted on Pz.Kpfw.38(t) light tank; possibly mockups 2009
Stalingrad German soldiers 2013
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum Seen in armory 2019

Television

Title Actor Character Note Date
The Interpreter (Perevodchik) German soldiers 2014
Snow and Ashes (Sneg i pepel) Antonis Shamanidi Aslan Bodoev 2015
A German soldier

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Note Date
Hidden & Dangerous 2 2003
Forgotten Hope 2 MG37(t) Mounted in Marder III 2006
Heroes & Generals MG37(t) Mounted in Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf. E 2016
Squad 44: Letters From The Front "ZB-53" Mounted in Panzer 38(t) 2018
Battlefield V MG37(t) MG37(t); mounted on German Panzer 38 (T) 2018
Enlisted MG37(t) Mounted on Pz.38 (t) F tanks 2021
Call to Arms - Gates of Hell: Ostfront MG37(t) Mounted on Pz.38 (t) F tanks 2021

Anime

Anime Title Character Note Date
Girls und Panzer Panzer 38(t) ZB-53 2012 - 2013
Girls und Panzer: This is the Real Anzio Battle! Panzer 38(t) ZB-53 2014
Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 2 Panzer 38(t) ZB-53 2019

Besa Machine Gun

Besa Mark 2 tank machine gun - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The Besa machine gun was developed in Czechoslovakia and was used by the British Army during the Second World War. Great Britain agreed with Zbrojovka Brno on the licensed reproduction of two weapons. One was the Bren light machine gun and the other was a heavy machine gun that corresponded to the Czech ZB vz. 37. BESA is derived from the pronounced abbreviation BSA of the manufacturer Birmingham Small Arms Company.

While the light Bren could be converted to the British ordnance cartridge .303 British, this was not possible with the Besa. The ammunition belts and the loading mechanism would have had to be converted to the British rimfire cartridge. The original 7.92 mm Mauser caliber with its rimless case therefore had to be retained. This cartridge was the standard ammunition of the Czechoslovakian army, as well as that of the German Wehrmacht. A special factory was built in Great Britain to ensure the supply of ammunition for this weapon. In order to limit the logistical problems, the Besa was only issued to the armored forces, but not to the infantry. A total of around 60,000 were produced.

The Besa-MG is a gas-operated loader. In contrast to other weapons of this type, the barrel is not rigidly mounted but slides back slightly after the shot. The subsequent forward movement of the barrel is synchronized with the release of the next shot in such a way that the forces roughly cancel each other out. As a result, the recoil is comparatively low, making the weapon easy to control and precise.

There is also an extra-heavy machine gun in 15x104 mm caliber, also known as the Besa. Technically, it is quite similar to the 7.92 mm version, but the 15 mm variant is more than 2 meters long and weighs almost three times as much at 57 kg.


The Besa Machine Gun and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Paratrooper British troops Mounted on Daimler Armoured Car 1953
A Hill in Korea Mounted in Centaur tank 1956
Gorgo British troops Mounted on Daimler Armoured Car 1961

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Note Date
Call of Duty 2 Mounted on Crusader tanks 2005
Company of Heroes Mounted on British tanks 2006
Darkest Hour: Europe '44-'45 Mounted on Cromwell Mk IV 2006
Company of Heroes 2 Mounted on British Tanks 2013
Sniper Elite III Mounted on British Matilda Tanks 2014
Call of Duty: WWII Mounted on a British Light Tank Mk VI 2017
Squad 44: Letters From The Front "Besa" Used in British armor 2018
Battlefield V Mounted on British Tanks 2018
Call of Duty: Vanguard Mounted on Crusader tanks 2021
Enlisted Mounted on British tanks 2021
Call to Arms - Gates of Hell: Ostfront Mounted on British tanks 2021

Anime

Anime Title Character Note Date
Girls und Panzer Mounted on Churchill and Matilda Tanks 2012 - 2013
Girls und Panzer: der Film Mounted on Churchill, Crusader and Matilda tanks 2015
Witch Craft Works Ep. 08; mounted in Churchill Mk IV 2014
Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 2 Churchill and Matilda Tanks 2019

See Also

  • Zbrojovka Brno - A list of all firearms manufactured by Zbrojovka Brno.
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