The Russian Degtyaryov DP-28 machine gun (Degtyaryov's infantry machine gun) is a light machine gun firing the 7.62×54mmR cartridge that was used primarily by the Soviet Union starting in 1928. The DP had a reputation as an effective light support weapon. It was nicknamed the "Record player" (proigryvatel) by Red Army troops because the disc-shaped pan magazine resembled a gramophone record and its top cover revolved while the weapon was fired. After WW2 the Chinese Communists used the DP in the Korean War and copied the DPM as the Type 53. A number of the RP-46 variant of the DP have been spotted in present day Somalia, in use with militant forces and also among rebel forces in the 2011 Libyan uprising to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi. The Winter War was a war between the Soviet Union and Finland. It began with a Soviet invasion of Finland on 30 November 1939, three months after the outbreak of World War II, and ended three and a half months later with the Moscow Peace Treaty on 13 March 1940. This is a near mint 1936 dated Russian DP-28. It has all original wood and metal work which retains its original finish. The wood shoulder stock has its original integral oil container with steel screw top lid and integral applicator brush. It is complete with original bi-pod and removable 47 round pan magazine (the rear sight block is pulled to the rear to release the magazine). The magazine is stamped with ‘VKT’ inspection mark (VKT is the Finnish state rifle factory "Valtion Kivääritehdas") and has an ‘SA’ mark indicating winter war capture by Finnish forces. The gun has sling swivels, an adjustable tangent rear sight winged fore sight and cone muzzle flash eliminator. The metal is nicely marked with '1936' date together with number ‘7221’ which is repeated on the bolt. It has a 28” barrel and measures 50 ¼” overall. Deactivated to UK specification in 2011 the weapon cocks and dry fires crisply, its grip safety catch (behind the trigger guard) works as it should & the pan magazine can be removed. The price includes deactivation certificate and UK delivery. Sn 21681:4
£1,275.00