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 MG30(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:
Machine gun
ZB vz.26
ZB vz.30
ZB vz.30J (note)
Caliber (mm)
7.92
7.92
7.92
Length (mm)
1165
1180
1204
Weight (kg)
8.84
9.10
9.58
Magazine (rounds)
20
20
20
Rate (round/min)
500
550-650
500-600
Velocity (m/s)
750
750
750
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]
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]
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]
^"Fusils-mitrailleurs Lehky Kulomet ZB vz.26 and vz.30". Encyclopédie des armes : Les forces armées du monde (in French). Vol. II. Atlas. 1984. p. 262.
^Jowett, Philip S. (2010). Rays of the rising sun : armed forces of Japan's Asian allies, 1931-45, Vol. 1: China & Manchukuo. Helion. p. 15. ISBN9781906033781.
^Windrow, Martin (20 Sep 2018). French Foreign Légionnaire vs Viet Minh Insurgent: North Vietnam 1948–52. Combat 36. Osprey Publishing. pp. 24–25. ISBN9781472828910.