13mm MG 131 in ground role?

[ThatZenoGuy]

The weapon in this picture is mounted on a Czech ZB 7.92 mm MG tripod.

So that's what it is! I was wondering what the basis was.

From my understanding the 131 was only ever used in the ground role as an especially heavy GPMG, the only two depictions I know of are a tank crewman escaping a tank with one, and a picture of one with a bipod.

[ROLAND1369]

Miss typed, should have said ZB 37 7.92 mm tripod.

[Tanzania]

Here even with a folding stock, but without ammunition feed. ( )

02_MG 131.png

Is this not a modern re-enactor posing with just some fantasy of his own ?

It is from the video game "Enlisted".

Thanks, I'm too old to know anything about video games.

I'm certainly no younger than you, and I'm not a video gamer either. I only found the graphic with the MG 131 via the Google search.
Here are a few more examples from the web that also show the tripod:

https://www.insidexbox.de/news/enlisted ... iel-96337/

[Tanzania]

The weapon in this picture is mounted on a Czech ZB 7.92 mm MG tripod.

I think you are right.

Original German WWII ZB 37(t) Display Machine Gun with Early Lafette Tripod & Transit Chest .png

Source: https://www.ima-usa.com/products/origin ... 6169277317

[Tanzania]

Seems to be I have to correct myself.

05_MG 131.png

Photo from a museum in Tirana, Albania. On the left, a large-caliber German MG-131 converted from aviation, on the right, an Italian rifle-caliber Breda M1937. I had never seen it before on the machine ... What is interesting is that rare case when a large-caliber machine gun is lighter than usual, and it is clearly seen from the dimensions that the dimensions are approximately the same. In general, the MG-131 in terms of mass is twice as light as the DShK, for example.
Original Source: https://borianm.livejournal.com/911171.html

[ThatZenoGuy]

Seems to be I have to correct myself.


05_MG 131.png


Photo from a museum in Tirana, Albania. On the left, a large-caliber German MG-131 converted from aviation, on the right, an Italian rifle-caliber Breda M1937. I had never seen it before on the machine ... What is interesting is that rare case when a large-caliber machine gun is lighter than usual, and it is clearly seen from the dimensions that the dimensions are approximately the same. In general, the MG-131 in terms of mass is twice as light as the DShK, for example.
Original Source: https://borianm.livejournal.com/911171.html

Damn, the Enlisted depiction isn't fake at all!

This is the third land-mount I am aware of, aside from AA mounts.

[kfbr392]

Damn, the Enlisted depiction isn't fake at all!

My sentiments exactly!

Now, how is the electricity for igniting the cartridges generated?
Could it be done via an additional generator/battery attached to the receiver?

What is this attachment to the rear right hand side receiver visible in the museum picture, the one with the two horizontal rods? One a trigger hand grip, the other a manual crank for a generator? Just an idea…

[ThatZenoGuy]

Damn, the Enlisted depiction isn't fake at all!

My sentiments exactly!

Now, how is the electricity for igniting the cartridges generated?
Could it be done via an additional generator/battery attached to the receiver?

What is this attachment to the rear right hand side receiver visible in the museum picture, the one with the two horizontal rods? One a trigger hand grip, the other a manual crank for a generator? Just an idea…

I reckon the electrical equipment needed to fire the primers was probably not that large, given it had to fit in a plane in decent numbers.

The EtronX rifle had a good 1500-2000 shots in it's relatively small battery, which is far more than any soldier would be expected to fire without any sort of firearm maintenance.

[Tanzania]

No, of course the MG with such a construction cannot be used for ground operations. Due to the two non-adjustable fixed points on the tripod, no height or distance can be adjusted. Also the battery is missing.
Simply an interesting presentation that created room for discussion. ( )

download/file.php?id=531534&mode=view

Again, I have to revise this statement.
The pictures below show the full functionality of the Czech ZB 37 tripod carriage with the MG 131.

06_Czech MG ZB 37, 7.92 mm on tripod.png

Original Source: https://www.dominicwinter.co.uk/Auction ... 68490&sd=1

07_Czech MG ZB 37, 7.92 mm on tripod.png

Original Source: https://antikvariat.ru/catalog/archive/ ... /#group-14


Whether the MG 131 with the ZB 37 mount was also used with a telescopic sight, as in the 6th photo
in the link below, remains questionable.
https://relicsandmilitaria.ro/zbrojovka ... ition-box/


In the Waffen Revue No 102 it was mentioned that the MG ZB 37 with carriage was also produced
in Yugoslavia under the designation "Mitralez M40". It is therefore possible that the MG 131 with the
ZB 37 carriage was already produced here during the war, since Albanian and Yugoslavian partisans
initially worked closely together. https://www.autochart.com/ZB37/ZB37.pdf


So far I haven't found anything about further information about the MG 131 on the ZB 37 carriage. Here more
photos MG 131 on ZB 37 carriage in different constellation in the military museum Gjirokastra Castel Albania.
• https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1 ... 1360-h1020
• https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1 ... 1360-h1020
• https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1 ... 1360-h1020

Cheers Holger