×
Home Intro People Events Equipment Places Maps Books Photos Videos Other Reference FAQ About
     

World War II Database

Degtyaryov Pekhotny DP file photo [5539]

Degtyaryov Pekhotny 'DP' Machine Gun

Country of OriginRussia
TypeMachine Gun
Caliber7.620 mm
Capacity47 rounds
Length1.270 m
Barrel Length604.500 mm
Weight9.100 kg
Rate of Fire550 rounds/min
Range800.000 m
Muzzle Velocity840 m/s

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe Ruchnoy Pulemyot Degtyaryova Pekhotny gas-operated light machine guns, designed by Vasily Degtyaryov, were made the standard light machine gun for the Russian Army in 1927. These guns were sometimes known as "DP" light machine guns, with "DP" meaning Degtyaryov Pekhotny, or "infantry machine gun". The greatest appeal of these light machine guns was that they were very cheap to build while still possessing acceptable stopping power. They were also known for their reliability, being able to withstand a rather great amount of dirt without jamming. While the machine guns were reliable, the original bipods broke easily; this issue was resolved with the 1943 DPM variant, which, aside from the bipod redesign, also had relocated springs and new pistol grips.

The DT and DTM variants of the DP light machine guns were used aboard vehicles, and the DA variant aboard aircraft.

WW2 experience showed that the 47-round pan magazines were too small to sustain a high rate of fire in combat situations. In 1946, the belt-fed variant RP-46 ("RP" for Rotnyj Pulemet, or "company machine gun") machine guns began to enter service to resolve this issue. Although having belts of 200 or 250 rounds resolved the problem, the design of this new variant dictated that the RP-46 light machine guns be unloaded of ammunition before moving, which introduced a new disadvantage to the gun. Nevertheless, communist countries used these guns in great quantities; Communist China acquired a license to mass-produce them locally as the Type 58 machine guns.

DP light machine guns remained in use in Soviet militaries until the 1960s. Over the design's production life, about 795,000 were built.

Source: Wikipedia. ww2dbase

Last Major Revision: Jan 2008

Photographs

Japanese soldiers in Mongolia Area, China, 1939; note captured Soviet DP machine gunMongolian DP machine gun crew, Battle of Khalkhin Gol, Mongolia Area, China, 1939
See all 11 photographs of Degtyaryov Pekhotny 'DP' Machine Gun



Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds


Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Change View
Desktop View

Search WW2DB
Degtyaryov Pekhotny 'DP' Machine Gun Photo Gallery
Japanese soldiers in Mongolia Area, China, 1939; note captured Soviet DP machine gunMongolian DP machine gun crew, Battle of Khalkhin Gol, Mongolia Area, China, 1939
See all 11 photographs of Degtyaryov Pekhotny 'DP' Machine Gun


Famous WW2 Quote
"I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil."

General Douglas MacArthur at Leyte, 17 Oct 1944


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!