DT machine gun

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	Weapon: DT machine gun Type: Light Machine Gun Country of Origin: USSR Year Adopted: 1928 Overall Length (mm): 873.0 Overall Length (in): 34.37 Weight (kg): 10.00 Weight (pounds): 22.05

The DT (Degtyaryov-Tankovy) machine gun was a Soviet tank-mounted light machine gun designed by Vasily Degtyaryov in the late 1920s and adopted in 1929. It was based on the DP-27 infantry machine gun, modified for use in armored vehicles. The DT featured a distinctive round pan magazine holding 60 rounds of 7.62x54mmR ammunition and was designed for reliability in challenging battlefield conditions. The weapon could be adapted for dismounted use with the addition of a bipod and stock, a configuration sometimes referred to as the DP-27/DT hybrid. The DTM (Degtyaryov-Tankovy-Modernized) was introduced later with design refinements to improve its reliability and ease of use in modern armored vehicles.

The DT was produced in significant quantities, with estimates exceeding 1 million units manufactured during its service life. It was the standard tank machine gun for Soviet armored vehicles during World War II, including the iconic T-34 and KV-series tanks. The DTM, introduced postwar, was an updated version that continued service through the Cold War, outfitting newer Soviet and Warsaw Pact armored vehicles. The DT's design was robust, ensuring its functionality in harsh environments, but the pan magazine limited its sustained fire capability compared to belt-fed designs.

The DT and DTM machine guns are historically significant as the primary secondary armament for Soviet tanks during World War II and beyond. Their reliability and straightforward design contributed to the effectiveness of Soviet armored forces, making them a vital component of the USSR's military success. While they were eventually replaced by more advanced designs like the PKT machine gun, the DT series remains a symbol of Soviet engineering. Today, these guns are prized by collectors and displayed in museums, representing a critical era in armored warfare history.