VZ-30 (Ceskoslovenska Zbrojovka (CZ) Factory in Brno)
02. Other official names
MG30(t) (Following German occupation of Czechoslovakia), ZB vz.30 Lehky Kulomet ZB vz.30
03. Popular names
04. Chamberings
7.92x57mm Mauser (primary chambering), 7x57mm Mauser, 7.65x53mm Mauser Other variants were also chambered in additional calibres including 8x56mmR and 7.7mm (303Brit)
05. Designed by
Václav Holek
06. Design date
1924 (VZ-30 is an improved version of the VZ-24 and VZ-26)
07. In service date(s)
1926–present (All variants)
08. Adopted by
A large number of forces around the world, most notably Czech Army, German SS troops, Japanese, Yugoslavian, Spanish, Romanian, Iranian and Chinese Armies
09. Production quantities
A figure is not readily available, several countries (including Yugoslavia and China) also manufactured these guns under license
10. Mechanism
A portable Light Machine Gun. Fires from an open bolt featuring a detachable 20 or 30 round box magazine. Gas operated, air cooled, selective fire (semi- or full-automatic). Cycle rate of 500 rounds per minute and bottom ejection
A very successful design which is robust and reliable with manageable recoil resulting in a machine gun that can be fired deliberately and accurately both semi automatic or fully automatic in a support role
14. Comments / Other information
It is the predecessor of the Bren Gun which is almost identical to the VZ-33. 30 7.92mm Light Machine Gun (Czechoslovakia – commercial) Introduced in 1930 by the Brno factory for export; final version of the ZB 26/ZB 27guns which led to the Bren Gun; chambered for the 7.92 x 57mm round; uses a 20-round box magazine; cyclic rate about 500rpm; weight without magazine about 21.25lb; quick change barrel.