Degtyarev DT
Overview
DT
A DT machine gun on display in a museum. Note how the machine gun is clamped in a ball mount.
Source: MKFI -
© Public domain
1944 (DTM)
V.A. Degtyarev & G.S. Shpagin
ДТ / Дегтярёва танковый (cyrillic)
56-P-322 (GRAU index for DT)
56-P-322M (GRAU index for DTM)
7,62-мм танковый пулемёт системы Дегтярева образца 1929 года
Description
Introduction
The DT is a pre-World War 2 era vehicle machine gun of Soviet origin. It is a derivative of the DP-27 light machine gun used by the infantry. The DT is one of the few vehicle machine guns that used pan magazines instead of being a belt-fed weapon. Many Soviet vehicles used the DT, including the famous T-34 medium tank. As such it saw service in many conflicts, most notable being the Eastern front of World War 2.
Design
The DT is derived from the DP-27 light machine gun. It uses the same long stroke gas piston mechanism and flapper locking. The receiver is altered to curve down into a pistol grip. A retractable stock is added. This is used when operating as a bow machine gun and for dismounted use. A tall rear sight is located on the receiver. There is no front sight on the weapon itself. This is part of the mount in which the barrel collar is clamped into. For dismounted use a bipod with front sight can be clamped onto the weapon. Designs that replaced the DT did opt to having a heavier barrel for longer sustained fire capability, for example the SGMT.
Firepower
The DT is chambered in 7.62x54mm Russian. It is a top fed weapon using 63 round pan magazines. These use three layers of ammunition and have a smaller diameter than the 47 round pan magazines for infantry use. Cyclic rate of fire 550 to 600 rpm. The diopter rear sight has range adjustment gradations out to 1.000 meters. The DT held up reasonable well under sustained fire. Practical rate of fire is lower at 125 rpm due to firing in burst and the frequent pan magazine chances. Early T-34s carried a staggering number of 75 of these magazines.
Users
The DT was used in various Soviet tanks and armored vehicles in the interbellum and during World War 2. It is best known for being the bow and coaxial armament of the T-34 medium tank. It was also used in variants of the T-26 light tank, KV-1 and IS-1, -2 and -3 heavy tanks and various other applications such as armored trains. As such it was also widely exported after the war to Soviet allies in Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. in Soviet service it was replaced by the SGMT and later the PKT machine guns.
Variants
DT
Initial production model of the DT machine gun. Introduced in 1929. Used in various vehicle ball mountings and one man turrets.
DTM
Improved production model of the DT, introduced in 1944. It features a similar relocation of the recoil spring as on the DPM infantry model. The recoil spring now extends from the rear of the receiver, instead of being located under the barrel and chamber. It is no longer exposed to extreme heat of prolonged fire and less likely to fail.
Details
Platforms
Note: incomplete list
T-34
The T-34 used the DT, and later DTM, as bow machine gun and as a coaxial weapon.
Media
Degtyarev DTM
Left side view of a Degtyarev DTM machine gun configured for dismounted use resting on its bipod
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Degtyarev DTM
Frontal view of a Degtyarev DTM machine gun with bipod and front sight attached for dismounted use.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Degtyarev DT
Soviet soldier using a Degtyarev DT vehicle machine gun in the infantry role.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Degtyarev DT
A Soviet soldier taking aim with a Degtyarev DT mounted on armoured train No. 30.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Degtyarev DT
Nazi German troops using a captured Degtyarev DT machine gun in the infantry role during World War 2.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
Degtyarev DP-27
The DT is the vehicle machine gun derivative of the DP-27 light machine gun.
PKT
As a vehicle machine gun the DT was replaced by the PKT version of the PK universal machine gun.