Deactivated WW2 Russian DP28 Dated 1939 - Winter War era

This is an early WWII Russian Ruchnoy Pulemyot DP28 (Degtyaryova pakhotnyi), dated 1939 with matching numbers. The DP28 was the first originally developed Soviet machine gun which appeared in 1926. The prefix 'DP' indicates a 'Degtyarev' machine gun for infantry use. This example may have seen service during the Winter War (November 1939 to March 1940), when Russian forces attempted to invade Finland. The DP saw extensive service throughout WWII and can be seen is use with both Russian troops but also in the hands of German and Finnish soldiers if captured. The distinctive drum or pancake magazine gained it the nickname the "Record player" by Soviet troops.

 

Ironically wartime stock piles of DP28's are now back in frontline service with Ukrainian forces fighting against Russia.

 

Deactivated with a working action.