Type 73 light machine gun
| Type 73 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Light machine gun |
| Place of origin |
 North Korea |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Iranian intervention in Iraq (2014–present) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | First Machine Industry Bureau[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 10.6kg |
| Length | 1190mm |
| Barrel length | 608mm |
|
| |
| Cartridge | 7.62×54mmR |
| Caliber | 7.62mm |
| Action | Gas |
| Rate of fire | 600-700 RPM |
| Feed system |
Box magazine Belt |
| Sights | Iron |
The Type 73 is a light machine gun designed and manufactured by North Korea's First Machine Industry Bureau for use by the Korean People's Army.[1]
History
The Type 73 is based on a 1960s-era Soviet design, most likely the PK machine gun, although the date of its first production in North Korea is currently unknown. The weapon was reportedly seen in the Korean Demilitarized Zone in 2002, when a United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission team told media outlets that North Korean soldiers had set up numerous Type 73s in positions 100 to 400 meters north of the demarcation line. The weapons were reportedly removed at the end of each day.[2]
Due the North Korean government's policy of secrecy, information on the weapon is hard to obtain. One example has been acquired by South Korea.[3] Many were supplied to Iran during the Iran–Iraq War and some of these have in turn been supplied to Iranian-backed groups currently engaged in fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[4]
Design
The design is heavily based on the 1960s-era Soviet PK machine gun.[5] However, the Type 73 does have certain indigenous modifications, including a dual magazine/belt feed system, patterned after the Czechoslovak Vz.52 LMG,[6] and removable muzzle sleeves.
The weapon's intended combat role is thought to be as a Squad automatic weapon. However it uses a 7.62×54mmR cartridge, not the 7.62×39mm round used by Type 58 assault rifle, North Korea's standard infantry rifle. This is unusual as most armies' squad automatic weapons use the same ammunition as rifles, so all members of a unit may share ammunition and only one type needs to be supplied. A larger cartridge is a characteristic of a General-purpose machine gun. Although such weapons typically are belt fed, and do not use a box magazine.[3]
Users
Non-State Actors
- Pro-Iran militias[4]
References
- 1 2 Bermudez Jr., p 50.
- ↑ "U.N.: North Korea has violated DMZ agreement". CNN. 2002-12-27. Retrieved 2011-06-08.
- 1 2 Shea, Dan (27 March 2013). "North Korean Small Arms". Small Arms Defense Journal. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
- 1 2 3 "Iranian delivered North Korean Type-73 machine guns joining the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq". 26 May 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
- 1 2 WorldGuns.ru. "Type 73 machine gun". Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ↑ "Type 73 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun (Korea, North), Machine guns". Jane's. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-08.
Bibliography
- Bermudez Jr., Joseph S. (2001). The Armed Forces of North Korea. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 1-86064-486-4.