


ZB vz. 37 (BESA) Machine Gun
Country of Origin | Czechoslovakia |
Type | Machine Gun |
Caliber | 7.920 mm |
Capacity | 100 rounds |
Length | 1,095.000 mm |
Barrel Length | 730.000 mm |
Weight | 19.000 kg |
Rate of Fire | 500 rounds/min |
Muzzle Velocity | 790 m/s |
Contributor: C. Peter Chen
ww2dbaseThe ZB 1937 machine guns were of Czechoslovakian design. They were air cooled and gas pressure operated, and a switch allowed them to fire either at the standard 500 rounds per minute to an accelerated 700 rounds per minute. Before the German annexation, they were also sold abroad, particularly to the United Kingdom (license to build as the BESA machine guns) and to Romania. After Germany annexed Czechoslovakia, these machine guns were integrated into the German arsenal as the MG37(t) machine guns, and the Czechoslovakian factories continued to build them for the German military until 1942 when the plants switched over to the production of German-designed weapons. ww2dbaseLast Major Revision: Dec 2007
Photographs
![]() |
Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you. Share this article with your friends: Stay updated with WW2DB: |
|
Visitor Submitted Comments
2.
 Bill says:
23 Sep 2012 06:11:52 PM
Please click on photograph for detailed information.

23 Sep 2012 06:11:52 PM
Please click on photograph for detailed information.
All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.
Search WW2DB & Partner Sites
News
- » Wreck of Johnston Found (8 Apr 2021)
- » Passing of Margaret Kelly (25 Jan 2021)
- » WW2DB's 16th Anniversary (29 Dec 2020)
- » See all news
Current Site Statistics
- » 1,099 biographies
- » 333 events
- » 38,474 timeline entries
- » 1,136 ships
- » 338 aircraft models
- » 191 vehicle models
- » 353 weapon models
- » 120 historical documents
- » 226 facilities
- » 464 book reviews
- » 27,426 photos
- » 354 maps
Famous WW2 Quote
"All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us... they can't get away this time."Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, at Guadalcanal
Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!
21 Dec 2009 03:35:54 PM
this is a good website