British Besa 7.92mm Machine Gun

  • Firearms Thru History
  • 1 min

By Crusader1307

Based on a Czech Tank Machine Gun (Vz 37), The Besa was a World War II British replacement for the aging Vickers Machine Gun. The Besa was Armor (Tank) Mounted. Due to the larger receiver housing, most Tanks had to be modified to handle The Besa. It had a very effective field life with The British Army that would continue from 1939 until it was phased out in 1966. The Besa weighed 50-pounds and was 44-inches long. It was a gas operated, air cooled weapon which fired a standard 7.92mm round. The cyclic rate of fire ranged from 400 to 850-rounds per minute. The weapon was a feature component of most British and Commonwealth Armor and related vehicles.