Type 73 light machine gun
Encyclopedia
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
. Though outdated by modern standards, this gun is still in use, though it is seldom encountered outside of North Korean territory.
, 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 positioned Type 73s 100 to 400 meters north of the demarcation line and removed them at the end of each day.
. However, it does have certain indigenous modifications, including a dual magazine/belt feed system, patterned after the Czechoslovak Vz.52 LMG
, and removable muzzle sleeves.
Light machine gun
A light machine gun is a machine gun designed to be employed by an individual soldier, with or without an assistant, as an infantry support weapon. Light machine guns are often used as squad automatic weapons.-Characteristics:...
designed and manufactured by North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
's First Machine Industry Bureau for use by the Korean People's Army
Korean People's Army
The Korean People's Army , also known as the Inmin Gun, are the military forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim Jong-il is the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and Chairman of the National Defence Commission...
. Though outdated by modern standards, this gun is still in use, though it is seldom encountered outside of North Korean territory.
History
The Type 73 is based on a 1960s-era Soviet design, most likely the PK machine gunPK machine gun
The PK is a 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun designed in the Soviet Union and currently in production in Russia. The PK machine gun was introduced in the 1960s and replaced the SGM and RPD machine guns in Soviet service...
, although the date of its first production in North Korea is currently unknown. The weapon was reportedly seen in the Korean Demilitarized Zone
Korean Demilitarized Zone
The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. The DMZ cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half, crossing the 38th parallel on an angle, with the west end of the DMZ lying south of the parallel and...
in 2002, when a United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Command Military Armistice Commission team told media outlets that North Korean soldiers had positioned Type 73s 100 to 400 meters north of the demarcation line and removed them at the end of each day.
Design
The design is heavily based on the 1960s-era Soviet Russian PK machine gunPK machine gun
The PK is a 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun designed in the Soviet Union and currently in production in Russia. The PK machine gun was introduced in the 1960s and replaced the SGM and RPD machine guns in Soviet service...
. However, it does have certain indigenous modifications, including a dual magazine/belt feed system, patterned after the Czechoslovak Vz.52 LMG
Vz. 52 (machine gun)
The Vz. 52 is a Czechoslovak light machine gun developed after the Second World War for the Czechoslovak Armed Forces....
, and removable muzzle sleeves.