BESA

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BESA machine gun

Type	medium machine gun
Nation(s) of origin	UK (Czech)
Era	World War 2
History
Date of design	1936
Production period	1939-1945 (?)
Service duration	1939-1945
Operators	UK
War service	World War 2
Variants	15 mm
Number built
Specifications
Type
Caliber	7.92 mm
Ammunition	7.92 x 57 mm Mauser
Feed system	belt
Firearm action>Action
Length	1.105 m
Gun barrel>Barrel length	0.736 m
Weight	21.46 kg
Rate of fire	500/800 round/min
Muzzle velocity
Effective range

The Machine Gun BESA was a British version of the Czech ZB53 (Model 37) machine gun and used by the UK for tank armament in World War II.

History

BSA signed an agreement with 'Zbrojovka Brno' in 1936 which allowed them to make the 7.92 mm ZB53. The War Office ordered the weapon in 1938 and production began in 1939. Although it took the 7.92 x 57 mm Mauser round and the standard British round was the .303 inch (7.7 mm), it was used extensively in British tanks of World War II.

A larger version at 15 mm calibre, also belt-fed, and weighing 125 lb (57 kg) was developed by BSA again as a vehicle armament. It was able to be fired single shot rather than just full automatic. It was used on the Light Tank Mk VI.

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