ZB vz.26
Encyclopedia
The ZB vz. 26 was a Czechoslovak light machine gun
developed in the 1920s, which went on to enter service with several countries. It saw its major use during World War II
, and spawned the related ZB vz. 27, vz. 30, and vz. 33. The ZB vz. 26 influenced many other light machine gun designs including the Bren light machine gun, FM 24/29 light machine gun, and the Type 99 Light Machine Gun
. The ZB-26 is famous for its reliability, simple components, quick-change barrel and ease of manufacturing.
This light machine gun in the Czechoslovak army was marked as the LK vz. 26 ("LK" means "lehký kulomet", light machine gun. "vz" means "vzor", Model). ZB vz. 26 is incorrect marking because "ZB" is factory marking (Československá zbrojovka v Brně) and "vzor" or "vz" is army marking.
was built. Designer Václav Holek was charged by the Czechoslovak army with producing a new light machine gun. He was assisted by his brother Emmanuel, as well as two expatriate Poles: Marek and Podrabsky. Holek was a genius as a firearms designer; he quickly began work on a prototype and within a year the quartet had created an automatic light machine gun that was later known as the ZB. The Czechoslovak army quickly adopted the ZB as the vz. 26, and many other countries later adopted the ZB or similar designs.
armored vehicles. The gun possessed a bipod and could also be mounted on a tripod for better support fire if needed.
The Wehrmacht
soon adopted the ZB-26 after the occupation of Czechoslovakia, renaming it the MG 26(t); it was used in the same role as the MG 34
, as a light machine gun. In the opening phases of World War II, the ZB-26 in 7.92 mm Mauser caliber was used in large numbers by elements of the German Waffen SS, who at first did not have full access to standard Wehrmacht supply channels. In its most famous incarnation the ZB-26 was modified by ZB and British
technicians, entering service as the famous Bren gun. Many more countries imported or produced the design under license, including China, Yugoslavia, and Lithuania. Chinese Nationalist forces used the ZB-26 in 8x57 IS in their struggle with Communist Chinese and later Japanese forces. According to Brno, from 1927 to 1939, a total of 30,249 ZB-26 were exported to China. During this time due to high demand, Chinese small-arms factories, state owned as well as those controlled by various warlords, were producing the ZB-26. During the Korean War
, Chinese Communist forces employed the ZB-26 against UN forces, and PVA ZB gunners developed a well-deserved reputation for long-range marksmanship. During the First Indochina War
with French and later South Vietnamese forces, the ZB-26 was found in the hands of both North Vietnamese army and Viet Minh guerrillas.
More designations appear depending on the adopting army, though generally the gun retains its 'ZB-26' initials in one form or another.
Although the ZB-26 had few variants, some weapons were closely based on it:
(used by the Philippine guerrilla resistance during World War II)
Light machine gun
A light machine gun is a machine gun designed to be employed by an individual soldier, with or without an assistant, as an infantry support weapon. Light machine guns are often used as squad automatic weapons.-Characteristics:...
developed in the 1920s, which went on to enter service with several countries. It saw its major use during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and spawned the related ZB vz. 27, vz. 30, and vz. 33. The ZB vz. 26 influenced many other light machine gun designs including the Bren light machine gun, FM 24/29 light machine gun, and the Type 99 Light Machine Gun
Type 99 Light Machine Gun
The was a light machine gun used by the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II. -History and development:The Type 96 Light Machine Gun, an improvement over the previous Type 11 Light Machine Gun was introduced into combat service in 1936, and quickly proved to be a versatile weapon to provide...
. The ZB-26 is famous for its reliability, simple components, quick-change barrel and ease of manufacturing.
This light machine gun in the Czechoslovak army was marked as the LK vz. 26 ("LK" means "lehký kulomet", light machine gun. "vz" means "vzor", Model). ZB vz. 26 is incorrect marking because "ZB" is factory marking (Československá zbrojovka v Brně) and "vzor" or "vz" is army marking.
Development
Development of the ZB-26 began in 1923 after the Czechoslovak Brno arms factoryZbrojovka Brno
Zbrojovka Brno was a firearm and vehicle manufacturer in Brno, Czech Republic. They also made other products and tools- History :The firm was established in 1918.The Czech-Slovak investment group J&T bought an areal of Zbrojovka Brno in 2007.-Firearms:...
was built. Designer Václav Holek was charged by the Czechoslovak army with producing a new light machine gun. He was assisted by his brother Emmanuel, as well as two expatriate Poles: Marek and Podrabsky. Holek was a genius as a firearms designer; he quickly began work on a prototype and within a year the quartet had created an automatic light machine gun that was later known as the ZB. The Czechoslovak army quickly adopted the ZB as the vz. 26, and many other countries later adopted the ZB or similar designs.
Deployment
The ZB-26 saw service with the Czechoslovak infantry, as well as being the primary or secondary armament on many later model ŠkodaŠkoda Auto
Škoda Auto , more commonly known as Škoda, is an automobile manufacturer based in the Czech Republic. Škoda became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group in 2000, positioned as the entry brand to the group...
armored vehicles. The gun possessed a bipod and could also be mounted on a tripod for better support fire if needed.
The Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
soon adopted the ZB-26 after the occupation of Czechoslovakia, renaming it the MG 26(t); it was used in the same role as the MG 34
MG 34
The Maschinengewehr 34, or MG 34, is a German air-cooled machine gun that was first produced and accepted into service in 1934, and first issued to units in 1935. It accepts the 8x57mm IS cartridge....
, as a light machine gun. In the opening phases of World War II, the ZB-26 in 7.92 mm Mauser caliber was used in large numbers by elements of the German Waffen SS, who at first did not have full access to standard Wehrmacht supply channels. In its most famous incarnation the ZB-26 was modified by ZB and British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
technicians, entering service as the famous Bren gun. Many more countries imported or produced the design under license, including China, Yugoslavia, and Lithuania. Chinese Nationalist forces used the ZB-26 in 8x57 IS in their struggle with Communist Chinese and later Japanese forces. According to Brno, from 1927 to 1939, a total of 30,249 ZB-26 were exported to China. During this time due to high demand, Chinese small-arms factories, state owned as well as those controlled by various warlords, were producing the ZB-26. During the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Chinese Communist forces employed the ZB-26 against UN forces, and PVA ZB gunners developed a well-deserved reputation for long-range marksmanship. During the First Indochina War
First Indochina War
The First Indochina War was fought in French Indochina from December 19, 1946, until August 1, 1954, between the French Union's French Far East...
with French and later South Vietnamese forces, the ZB-26 was found in the hands of both North Vietnamese army and Viet Minh guerrillas.
Variants
- ZB vz. 24: the weapon's predecessor.
- ZB vz. 27: later variant.
- ZB vz. 30: later variant.
- ZGB 30/33: final modifications to the vz. 30 for British trials. The ZGB 33 in its final form was virtually identical to the British Bren light machine gun.
- ZB vz. 39: Commercial variant of the Bren, chambered in a different round and having different sights.
More designations appear depending on the adopting army, though generally the gun retains its 'ZB-26' initials in one form or another.
Although the ZB-26 had few variants, some weapons were closely based on it:
- Japanese Type 96Type 96 Light Machine GunThe was a light machine gun used by the Imperial Japanese Army in the interwar period and in World War II. - History and development :Combat experience in the Manchurian Incident of 1931 and subsequent actions in Manchuria and northern China reaffirmed the Japanese army of the utility of machine...
and Type 97Type 97 Light Machine GunThe was the standard machine gun used in tanks and armored vehicles of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II, and also as a light machine gun by infantry forces.-Development:...
light machine guns: were closely modeled on the ZB-26 and the Bren. - Finnish Kk 62KK 62The Kk 62 is a Finnish 7.62 mm light machine gun designed in late 1950s with the first prototype ready for testing in 1960. It was officially adopted as the standard infantry support weapon of the Finnish Defence Forces in 1962 as the 7.62 konekivääri 62; the first weapons were delivered in 1966...
light machine gun. - German MKb 42(h) assault rifle: used a virtually identical, although inverted, bolt/bolt carrier system.
- Spanish Fusil Automatico Oviedo (F.A.O.).
Users
See also
- ZB-530ZB-530The ZB-530 was an assault rifle chambered in the 7.62 x 45mm vz 52 round. The rifle was fed from a top mounted 30 round box magazine. After the success of the ZB vz. 26 and Bren light machine guns, the Czech government felt that a lightweight derivative of these weapons would make an effective...
- Kucher Model K1Kucher Model K1The Kucher K1 was a Hungarian box magazined submachine gun designed by József Kucher and was based on the Danuvia 44.M prototype smg....
- Madsen machine gunMadsen machine gunThe Madsen was a light machine gun developed by Julius A. Rasmussen and Theodor Schoubue and proposed for adoption by Captain Vilhelm Herman Oluf Madsen, the Danish Minister of War and adopted by the Danish Army in 1902...
- M1909 Benet-MercieHotchkiss M1909 Benet-Mercie machine gunThe Hotchkiss M1909 machine gun was a French designed light machine gun of the early 20th century, developed and built by Hotchkiss et Cie. It was also known as the Hotchkiss Mark I and M1909 Benet-Mercie....
- Lahti-Saloranta M/26Lahti-Saloranta M/26The Lahti-Saloranta M/26 is a light machine gun which was designed by Aimo Lahti and Arvo Saloranta in 1926. The weapon was able to fire in both full automatic and semi-automatic modes...