ZB26/30 in .303?

**emileverbunt** · 02-10-2010, 10:18 AM

Is there any knowledge on this forum about a ZB26 or ZB30 in probably .303 caliber?

In a publication I noticed a photograph of Indonesian soldiers (TNI) in the period 1945-1949 armed with a ZB26 (or ZB30) topped with a Bren mag. The curvature of this magazine suggests .303 British.

The accompanying soldiers are armed with Dutch Mannlicher/Hembrug rifles in (most likely) 6.5 mm R.

Did the Japanese use ZB26's in .303?
Did Indonesians modify ZB's for use of 6.5mmR or .303?

Thanks for looking into this question.

Cheers,
Emile

**zwerge** · 02-10-2010, 10:16 PM

In the book < Military Small Arms Of The 20th Century > there is reference to the ZB30 in 7.65mm for Bolivia,and in 7mm for various south american countries.There was also the model ZGB33 which was very similar and in .303 British.But it was experimental and only about 12 made for England,the British sealed the pattern and developed the Bren gun from it.All info from this book.

**emileverbunt** · 02-11-2010, 09:48 AM

Thanks Zwerge. But this LMG is definitely a ZB26 or 30 with a mag for a rimmed round. I'll try to scan the photo from the book and post it.

Cheers,
Emile

**m3bobby** · 02-11-2010, 11:59 PM

Can you post a link? It could be a conversion to a rimmed round, a Bulgarian contract gun or a British contract conversion .303 (As used in the 1930's LMG trials) prior to the ZGB 33 etc.

**ian** · 02-12-2010, 12:25 AM

from what i understand the japs produced there own zb26 in manchuria during the war they were 6.5mm and they had a curved magazine
cheers ian

**emileverbunt** · 02-12-2010, 11:32 AM

Hi Ian,

Could you tell me more about these japanese ZB26's?

Since the photograph was taken in the late forties in the then Netherlands East Indies, where recently the Japanese forces were disarmed by Indonesians, British and Dutch, it is highly likely that this ZB is a Japanese LMG, or at least Japanese reissued capture from the Chinese.

I am most ineterested in this question. Thanks for your reaction!
Cheers,
Emile

**ian** · 02-12-2010, 01:09 PM

hi Emile
the best thing you could do is to go to the (weapons online forum)lmg section
those guys are the experts when it comes to these things
they have a sectoin on the zb mgs and are very happy to answer questions
just type weapons on line in your search and it will take you there
cheers ian

**ian** · 02-12-2010, 03:41 PM

Here is a picture of a Japanese ZB26 with curved mag.

**ian** · 02-12-2010, 04:03 PM

emile further to you question on the curved mag it seems that the round the Japanese used was semi rimed 6.5x50mm ariska round
the semi rim would explane the curved mag
cheers ian

**emileverbunt** · 02-12-2010, 09:41 PM

Hi Ian,

That's the one!! Thanks a million!! A riddle solved! It really seemed a problem. Very much appreciated!

You know the period after WW2 in the NEI was a arms collectors heaven. everyone used anything at hand. The Dutch used Dutch, British, Australian, German and US arms. the Indonesians primarely Dutch, Japanese and British stuff.

Difficult to discern. You helped me out Thanks!

can I use the photograph for my files. Question mark fails me.

Cheers,

Emile