Degtyaryov DP-series 7.62x54mm light machine gun

01. Original name 7,62-мм ручной пулемет обр. 1927 г “7.62mm Hand-Held Machine Gun Model 1927”  
02. Other official names Пулемёт Дегтярёвa Пехотный Pulemyot Degtyaryova Pekhotny “Degtyaryov’s infantry machine gun” Germany (Volksturm): Leichtes Maschinengewehr 120(r) Also known (largely outside Russia) as: DP-27, DP-28, DP-1928  
03. Popular names USSR: “проигрыватель” (proigryvatel = phonograph/record player). Finland: “Emma” (a popular waltz of the time, played on a phonograph)  
04. Chamberings 7.62 x 45Rmm  
05. Designed by Vasily Alekseyevich Degtyaryov  
06. Design date 1927  
07. In service date(s) 1928 – date  
08. Adopted by USSR, Finland & Germany (captured from the Red Army), China, Cambodia, North Vietnam, North Korea  
09. Production quantities All variants: ~800,000  
10. Mechanism Gas-operated flap-locking with recoil spring assistance. Horizontal drum magazine  
11. Weight 9 Kg (20 lb; unloaded), 11.5 Kg (25 lb; loaded)  
12. Mountings DP – bipod. DT – Tank mounted, with 60 round drum (Дегтярёва танковый, Degtyaryova Tankovy; ДТ and ДТМ). DA – Aircraft mounted (Дегтярёва авиационный, Degtyaryova Aviatsionny; ДА).  
13. Practicality in action Famously resistant to dirt, snow, sand etc. The 49 round horizontal drum magazine, only reliable when loaded with 47 rounds, slow to reload and prone to damage, allied with its low rate of fire (550 rpm) was its major limitation. The recoil spring’s proximity to the barrel also made it prone to overheating and failing  
14. Comments / Other information The standard Soviet infantry LMG of WW2. Modified variant (DPM/DTM) introduced in 1943. Belt-fed variant (RP-46) introduced in 1946.-Series 7.62mm Light Machine Gun (USSR) (WW2) Introduced in 1933 – designed by V. Degtyarev; chambered to the 7.62 x54mm rimmed round; uses 47 (originally 49) round horizontally mounted drum magazine; cyclic rate about 600 rpm; weight unloaded 20lb. Extensively modified and then redesigned as the RP-46 belt-fed gun (superseded in turn by the RPD gun.