![DShK file photo [5623] DShK file photo [5623]](/images/weapon_dshk1.jpg)



DShK M1938 Machine Gun
Country of Origin | Russia |
Type | Machine Gun |
Caliber | 12.700 mm |
Capacity | 50 rounds |
Length | 1,655.000 mm |
Barrel Length | 1,070.000 mm |
Weight | 35.500 kg |
Rate of Fire | 550 rounds/min |
Muzzle Velocity | 850 m/s |
Contributor: C. Peter Chen
ww2dbaseIn the mid-1930s, Russian weapons designer Georgi Shpagin developed a belt-feed mechanism that promised greater firepower. Together with Vasily Degtyaryov, they developed the DShK M1938 heavy machine guns. The name came from the two designer's names, but Russian soldiers who subsequently used them affectionately called these weapons dushka, or "dear". By the time Russia entered WW2 with the invasion of Poland, they were already the standard heavy machine guns of the Russian Army. When used in their original intended role, heavy infantry support, they were often mounted on tripods or mounted on vehicle-towed trolleys. Aside from that role, they were also often used as vehicle-mounted anti-aircraft weapons or mounted on tanks or self-propelled guns as their secondary weapons. In 1946, the DShK M1938/46, or DShKM, variant design was introduced. Later, the design was shared with other Communist countries, resulting in licensed production in Communist China, Pakistan, and Romania. Some examples of DShK heavy machine guns are still in military use today.Source: Wikipedia. ww2dbase
Last Major Revision: Feb 2008
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