Czechoslovakian ZB-37 Machine Gun Ammo Can
The ZB-37 was originally produced in Czechoslovakia by Zbrojovka Brno as the ZB-53 for the Czechoslovakian Military but once they fell under Nazi control the German’s took a liking to the 46 pound fire breather and took possession of them and dubbing them the MG37.
The captured machine guns were often rebranded by the Wehrmarcht with the classic German eagle and pressed into service in the Balkans and in other areas of the Eastern Front. The fact that the Czechs were nice enough to produce their machine gun in 8mm Mauser just like the German’s other machine guns made supplying the guns with ammunition easy. The choice of caliber was the only thing that the German MG40 and MG42 had in common with the MG37/ZB-37.
Specifications of ZB-37 Machine Gun
Country of Origin: Czechoslovakia
Number Produced: 60,000+
Caliber: 8mm Mauser (7.92 mm x 57 mm)
Weight: 46 lbs
Barrel Length: 29.0″
Overall Length: 43.5″
Feed System: 250 round belt
Rate of Fire: 500-800 rounds per minute
Mounting System: tripod or vehicle mounted
Theater of Operations: Eastern Front
Operational Life: 1935-Late 1950’s
The ZB-37 is a machine gun with an odd history and legacy. Once called on by Czechoslovakia to defend its borders, it was pressed into service by the very Army that it was meant to defend the Czechs from. The ZB-37 machine gun went to serve Germany and it’s Divisions of Nazi sympathizers during Operation Barbarossa in Russian and the Ukraine, and Operations Weiss & Operations Landstrum against the Soviet lead Partisans under the direction of Joseph Tito, the eventual President of Yugoslavia.
Mine is painted dark green
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