Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
ZB-53
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1939–1950
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · WORLD WAR II
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
92
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Production Year1936
- Service Entry Year1937
- DesignerVáclav Holek
- Weight (Empty)21 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
- Notable UsersCzechoslovakia, Romania, Yugoslavia, Argentina, Afghanistan, Iran, China, United Kingdom, Nazi Germany, Waffen-SS
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
- Cartridge7.92×57mm Mauser; 7.62×45mm
- Calibre7.92 mm
- Case Length57 mm
- Calibre Classfull-size rifle
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation7MOD.7
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesautomatic
- Select FireNo
- Feed SystemBelt
- Cyclic Rate of Fire500
- Trigger Typesingle-stage
- Safety Typemanual lever
◇Barrel & Sights4MOD.4
- Sight Typeiron sights
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelNo
◆Construction5MOD.5
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialwood/metal
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
▤Features5MOD.5
⬢Production & Cost3MOD.3
- Production Start1936
- Production End1950
- Variants3
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1936First deployment: Spanish Civil War
- 1939Production started
- 1950Production ended
87
years in service
11
years in production
15
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 2 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
ZB-53 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN33% win·33% loss
Total Conflicts
6
Victories
2
Ongoing
0
Losses
2
1989–1990United States invasion of PanamaDecisive victory→1979–1989Soviet-Afghan WarDecisive victory→1971Bangladesh Liberation War—→1961Bay of Pigs invasionDecisive victory→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→1937–1945Second Sino-Japanese War—→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
06 / Operators
Operator Countries17country
ZB-53SALES4records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — |  Romania | — | — | — |
| — |  Serbia | 1,000 | — | — |
| — |  United Kingdom | — | — | — |
| — |  Germany | — | — | — |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
07 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · World War II
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
15GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)2WORLD WAR II · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)8CZECH REPUBLIC · ALL WEAPONS6PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources