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

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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.

Medium machine guns | Tank guns | World War II weapons of the United Kingdom

베사 기관총 | Karabin maszynowy Besa