ZB37: Czechoslovakia's Super-Heavy Machine Gun (Ad-free)
Added 2025-03-12 12:00:04 +0000 UTCThe ZB37 began in 1930 as a design by none other than classic Czech arms designer Vaclav Holek. The Czechoslovakian military was still using the Schwarzlose heavy MG, and wanted something to replace it. To fill all the roles intended, there would eventually be three different models of the ZB37 - one for infantry, one for fortresses, and one for vehicle mounting.
Note that the factory designation for this gun at Brno began as the ZB50, and iterated to the final version being the ZB50. However, it was identified by the military as the ZB37 (for 1937, the year of adoption).
After a series of redesigns, an early version of the gun is finally adopted in 1935 as the ZB35. A series of improvements leads to the final ZB37 model. About 500 of the early ZB35s were produced, and most of these were used to fill export sale contracts. By the time World War Two begins, the Czechoslovak military has about 5,000 of the guns in its possession.
Interestingly, the gun uses a hybrid recoil and gas operating system, with a tilting bolt. It has two rates of fire that can be chosen, and uses the rear spade grips as the charging handle. It is belt fed, using continuous 100- and 200-round metallic belts and chambered for the 8x57mm Mauser cartridge.
During the war, both German and British forces made substantial use of the ZB37. The Germans purchased ongoing production from Brno, and the British had actually purchased a production license before the war began. For the British, the gun was called the BESA and used in several armored vehicles (still in 8mm Mauser) - with about 57,000 being made during the war. A number of export sales were also made, including Romania, Persia, China, and several others. In 1946 another 3,000 were ordered and manufactured for fortress use in the Czech Republic, serving until the end of Communist control of the country.
Thanks to Sellier & Bellot for giving me access to this example to film for you!
Comments
seems like Magpul had a good look on the front end of this receiver before bringing m-lok to market (again) ?! ;-)
Philipp Hintermüller
2025-03-17 20:29:30 +0000 UTCOMG, it's the anti-MG42! Look at all that lovely intricacy and man-hours of machining invested into each & every part! If the Hughes Amendment was never a thing, they'd *still* be many thou$and$ each in that alternate reality, where other MGs are still only a few hundred $...
Bruce Brodnax
2025-03-14 01:23:32 +0000 UTCBAR receivers were originally milled from a 20 pound block. During the 1940s U.S. industries worked on versions (especially castings) to cut down on time spent milling, wastage of tool steel, etc.
Michael James Blum
2025-03-12 19:49:42 +0000 UTCI've always been fascinated by this beast of a MG. Thanks for showing just how much of the machinist art this thing is! I think the biggest issue in field striping this gun is dropping a part. On you foot! Thanks Ian and S&B for showing us the ZB53/Vz37!
Jason
2025-03-12 19:13:36 +0000 UTCthey don't make them like that anymore! love all that machining though. Take 80 pounds of steel, (just a guess), remove the unneeded = 43 pounds of deadly weapon. nice video
Dennis McNamara
2025-03-12 19:02:50 +0000 UTCthat beast looks absolutely gorgeous. love the spadegrip charging but two things to operate for the top cover isn't that great. damn those interwar guns are SO nicely made, aren't they. that machining is... such quality. awesome!
Guido Schriewer
2025-03-12 17:32:49 +0000 UTCYes, British armored forces was using the same amunition as a Wehrmacht!
Jan Chvojka
2025-03-12 15:15:58 +0000 UTCEverything was in 8mm?
Terry
2025-03-12 14:06:06 +0000 UTC
