ZH-29
The ZH-29 was a semi-automatic rifle developed in Czechoslovakia during the late 1920s, and used by the Chinese National Revolutionary Army.[1]
| ZH-29 | |
|---|---|
 ZH-29 semi-automatic rifle | |
| Type | Semi-automatic rifle |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Second Sino-Japanese War World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Emanuel Holek |
| Designed | 1929 |
| Manufacturer | Ceskoslovenska Zbrojovka |
| Variants | ZH-32 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) |
| Length | 1,150 mm (45 in) |
| Barrel length | 545 mm (21.5 in) |
| Cartridge | 7.92×57mm Mauser |
| Action | Gas-operated, tilting bolt |
| Muzzle velocity | 808 m/s (2,650 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 350 m (380 yd) |
| Feed system | 5, 10, or 20-round box magazine |
| Sights | iron sights |
Overview
The ZH-29 is a gas-operated semi-automatic service rifle with a tilting-bolt locking system similar to that which would be later used in the Sturmgewehr 44; although while the bolt of the German gun tilts vertically, that of the ZH-29 does so to the left side. Externally the most distinctive feature is that the barrel is offset at a slight angle to the receiver to compensate for this.[2] Also unusually, the rifle uses an aluminium barrel jacket.
An upgraded variant was designated as the ZH-32.[3]
In China, Chang Tso-lin's army received 150 ZH-29 and 100 ZH-32 rifles, and the provincial troops of Guangdong also received 33 ZH-32. A derivative prototype was built in 1932 in Shenyang, China. It is unlikely that these rifles saw action during the Sino-Japanese War.[3]
A version of the ZH-29 rifle was chambered in .276 Pedersen cartridge and was submitted to US Army trials but was unsuccessful.[4]
During the last stages of the development in the AK-47 assault rifle, the testing grounds committee advised Mikhail Kalashnikov to redesign the trigger group of the AK-46 rifle prototype along the lines of ZH-29 rifle, which he did. The testing grounds committee also advised every competitor on how to generally improve their firearm designs.[5]
Users
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References
- "Czechoslovak rifle semi-automatic type ZH-29 — Encyclopedia of safety". Archived from the original on 2021-07-24. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
- "Czech ZH29 rifle". 11 March 2011.
- Ness, Leland; Shih, Bin (July 2016). Kangzhan: Guide to Chinese Ground Forces 1937–45. Helion & Company. p. 254. ISBN 9781910294420.
- Springfield Armory page on the ZH-29 (SPAR item 3633) quoting from Walter, John. RIFLES OF THE WORLD. 3rd Edition. Krause Publications. Iola, Wi. 2006
- "Заново рождённый. Удивительная история АК-47 № 1 | Оружейный журнал «КАЛАШНИКОВ»". 10 November 2018.
- Shih, Bin (2018). China's Small Arms of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945).
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic; Jimma University; Addis Ababa University; University of West Bohemia; Embassy of the Czech Republic in Addis Ababa. "The 20th Century Revisited: Relations between former Czechoslovakia and Ethiopia" (PDF).
- Ian McCollum (August 15, 2016). "Japanese ZH-29 Copy by Tokyo Gas & Electric". Retrieved March 18, 2017.
- Smith, Joseph E. (1969). Small Arms of the World (11 ed.). Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: The Stackpole Company. p. 310. ISBN 9780811715669.
External links
- Popenker, Maxim. "ZH-29 rifle (Czechoslovakia)". Modern Firearms. World Guns. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- "Rifle 7.92 mm Automatic ZH 29". REME Museum of Technology. The Corps of Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
- McCollum, Ian (11 March 2011). "Czech ZH29 rifle". ForgottenWeapons.com. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
- McCollum, Ian (June 7, 2011). Czech ZH29 early semiauto rifle (YouTube). ForgottenWeapons.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
- Patents