THE BESA MACHINE GUN (original) (raw)

THE BESA MACHINE GUN

The Besa was used in many British tanks and armoured cars. It is an air cooled, gas operated weapon with ammunition being fed by a belt holding 225 rimless 7.92mm cartidges. The gun had different rates of fire depending on mark. There was no provision for ground mounting - no bi-pod, or sights. Aiming is by means of a telescope mounted along with the Besa in its housing. The barrel cannot be changed without removing the gun from the vehicle, and as the weapon weighs 48 pounds, this is not easy task. The rate of fire is between 450 and 850 rounds per minute - slightly less than half of the German equivalent.

This short video, which has yet to be fully edited, shows some information on the Besa and also shows it being loaded and fired. Click the play button to view.