Romanian ZB-30 LMG: Improving the Already-Excellent ZB-26

Brno's ZB-26 was one of the best light machine guns of the 1920s, and it was widely adopted by countries that did not have domestic arms design and production capacity (and it would eventually become the British Bren gun as well). It was designed for the 8mm Mauser cartridge, and had a simple fixed gas system that ran very well - until countries began following the German lead in moving to standard use of s.S. (schweres Spitzgeschoß; heavy ball) ammunition. This put undue strain on the ZB-26 mechanism, and so an improvement was made to include an adjustable gas system that could be set to accommodate a variety of loadings. This experimental model was the ZB-27, and it was tested by Romania in the late 1920s.

Romania like the design, and adopted it in 1930, purchasing guns from Brno and also buying a license to produce them at the Cugir factory complex in Romania. Today we are taking a look at two examples of Romanian ZB-30s, one Czech-made and one Romanian-made. They both incorporate a number of improvements over the ZB-26 (improved barrel latch security, rear monopod socket, bipod locking lever, etc) but also have a few minor differences between each other.

Thanks to the Southern Iceland Shooting Association for helping me film these and other cool guns in Iceland!

Contact:
Forgotten Weapons
6281 N. Oracle 36270
Tucson, AZ 85740

[zanglang]

CUGIR is pronounced CUJIR. Romanian Navy ret. officer, here. As I commented in other videos of yours, your Romanian Military firearms presentations are awesome and no Romanians did the work you do. This was the reason I subscribed to your channel.
Regarding the payment problems you mentioned, I can say that there were several scandals during the 1930s, in Romania, regarding embezzelment of the funds assigned for Romanian Military procurements, involving high ranked officials even the king Carol II Hohenzollern, an gambler and playboy who simply stole a large amount of money and wasted it in Monte Carlo casinos, and with his mistress. Another big corruption scandal was called "The Skoda Affair".
One more time, congrats and best regards!

[Huh]

Interesting firearm, weird that Iceland specifically has it

[vaclavholek]

I designed a d*mn fine weapon! 😉

Ian, you did a fine job with this video, but I'll add a few points for depth:

Designations:

ZB = Zbrojovka Brno, that is a factory designation

vz. = vzor, which means "model" this is a Czech military designation

Czechoslovakia, Romania, and Jugoslavia had a mutual defense pact, nicknamed "The Little Entant" to keep Hungary in check. As part of this pact, the three countries agreed to standardize on weapons and ammunition. That is why Czechoslovakia and Romania adopted the vz.24 in 7, 92x57mm, Jugoslavia adopted the FN Model 24, also in 7, 92x57mm, and all adopted the ZB-26/ZB-30/ZB-30J series of LMGs

[rumplikcz]

Just a little note. The ZB 30 machine gun was produced by Zbrojovka Brno, but it was never accepted into the Czechoslovak army. However, it was exported to Iran, Turkey or Romania. And as Ian said, license were issued to othe countries to manufacture.
Greetings from Czechia

[enricopaolocoronado]

Basically, the ZB-26 and the ZB-30 is the whole "Daniel and the Cooler Daniel" meme but in gun form.

[sgtmajorbuzz]

My unit confiscated a Syrian version of a Bren the was made to fire belted ammunition. All of the markings were in Arabic and we never figured out what round it was designed to fire. It broke my heart when we were ordered to wrap all of the confiscated weapons with Detcord

[darthmartinez]

The machining looks absolutely gorgeous. Cycling the bolt is probably buttery smooth.

[gooondie]

That whole bolt and carrier assembly is just beautiful. Machined to perfection 👌🏼

[henryturnerjr]

Thought it was gonna be that familiar story. Military: asks for firearm for specific cartridge. Factory: Builds flawless model. Military: Buys thousands, then immediately changes cartridge specs. and begins complaining.

[nathantudor]

I always found it funny how well equipped Romanian infantry forces were in WWII, especially considering how little heavy industry they had…

[MrQ]

in reality those were used in Romania until 1989 with Patriotic Guards! they had also vz. 24 (also 8mm) and Orița SMGs. and even MG 42.

[lohikarhu]

These are just so classy, all the well thought out features....

[floridahdshooter]

Beautiful, Machining is truely impressive. Interesting HK mark on the bolt.

[kevinoliver]

"The British liked buying guns they design themselves"

Well apart from the SNYDER-Enfield, MARTINI-Henry, GATLING, GARDNER, NORDENFELT, and MAXIM guns, the LEE-Metford, LEE-Enfield, HOTCHKISS Portative, and the LEWIS gun.

[charlesphillips]

Note the predecessor to the Bren was the Lewis, which was not a British design either.

[bmunat]

For being almost a century old that gun is in amazing shape! Looks almost brand new. And the more Czech guns I learn about the more I think they really are just about the best firearm designers.

[jfakoggl]

Friends of mine who visited Iceland as tourists, came for the glaciers, the whales and the hot gush springs.
Not so Ian.
He came for a Romanian Light Machine Gun.
😎💪🤟

[bobhill]

Thanks for the history and information Ian, I really enjoyed this during my lunchbreak. You really fleshed out the little information my grandad gave me regarding the BREN's history.

[stanislavkomarek]

Im very pleased to hear correct pronunciation of the name of Vaclav Holek. just by the way, I live in Brno and from my window I have a look on former Zbrojovka Brno factory. unfortunatly, there is nothing left from the factory. just piece of the directors building.

[krixpop]

I was issued this weapon as national guard in 1989 to "defend" a bridge ...
Luckily for us none attacked our pitiful position.