Military Accessoriesfor

Russian MotorcyclesPart II: Machine Guns (MG’s)

Ernie Frankeeafranke@tampabay.rr.com

03/2010

A-shoot’n we will go!2

Machine Guns (MG’s)• Machine Gun (MG) Classifications

– Combo of Caliber, Weight, Crew Size and Primary Type

of Intended Target

– Typical Machine Guns Used on Russian Motorcycles

Were Light (LMG) to Medium (MMG)

• Machine Gun Types Used on Russian Motorcycles

– DP-28 (Russian, WW-II)

– MG-34 (German, WW-II)

– MG-42 (German, WW-II)

– PK Machine Gun (Russian, Modern)

• Authentic and Replicas

• Airsoft Machine Guns

Folks can choose between original (most expensive), replicas and kits (moderately expensive) and

airsoft (least expensive).3

Russian DP-28 Light Machine Gun•Ручной пулемёт Дегтярёвa Пехотный•Ruchnoy Pulemyot Degtyaryova Pekhotny) (Degtyaryov Hand-Held Infantry Machine Gun, DP)•Light Machine Gun (LMG)•Fires 7.62x54mmR Cartridge •Cheap and Easy to Manufacture–Early Models Had Fewer than 80 Parts–Assembled by Unskilled Labor

•Able to Withstand Dirt–Buried in Sand & Mud and Still Capable of Firing 500 Rounds

•Entirely Replaced in Soviet Service by General Purpose PK Machine Gun in 1960’s

Old Timer Garage

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Пулемёт Дегтярёвa Пехотный (Pulemyot Degtyaryova Pekhotny)

Bipod Mount

Degtyaryov's infantry machine gun or DP was a light machine gun firing the 7.62x54 mm cartridge

by the Soviet Union starting in 1928.5

Degtyarev 7.62 x 54mm Circular Magazine for DP-28

The DP-28 was nicknamed the “record player“ because ofthe pan magazine of 47 rounds fed from the top.

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1943 M-72

1943 M-72 M-72 Sign at Ural Factory

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Dnepr MB-650 with DP-28 (www.oldtimergarage.szn.pl)

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Russian DP-28 Reproduction (www.oldtimergarage.eu)

The DP-28 machine gun is easily recognized by the pancake feed and the bulge on the wooden stock.

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Russian DP-28 Machine Gun Replicas

Replica

DP-28 Machine Gun Butt

List Price: 30.00€

(moto-boxer.com)

List Price: 195.00€

(moto-boxer.com)

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Fully Restored 1968 MB-750 with DP-28 (www.oldtimergarage.eu)

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2004 Ural Patrol With DP-28 (www.ridesonfire.com)

12It’s the dream of most Ural owners, to attach a machine gun.

Designer Vasiliy Degtyarev.

with his creation, the DP-28

The inventor was eventually awarded the title Hero of Socialist Labor.including three Orders of Lenin. He rose to the rank of major general.13

DPM Russian Machine Gun•Other Variants of DP-28 Also Designed

–DPM for Tanks and the Like

•Modernized Version Adopted in 1943-44

DPM, Light Machine Gun

Most Obvious Difference between DP-28 and DPM Is the Stock.

Original DP28 Used a Traditional Straight Rifle Stock, with Bulge

for Non-Shooting Hand to Hold. DPM Changed to Pistol Grip

The change to the recoil spring was most important. The original DP-28 used a recoil spring sleeved around the gas piston. It was discovered that under

continuous fire the heat from the barrel was intense enough to damage the temper of the spring and cause malfunctions. The spring was moved to a

more typical position behind the bolt.

DP-28, Light Machine Gun

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German MG-34• First General Purpose Air-Cooled Machine Gun to Appear as

Replacement for Bulky Water-Cooled Guns of Previous Generation • First Produced and Accepted into Service in 1934• Introduced Quick-Change Barrels, Bipod/Tripod Mounts, and Metallic

Belts, Which Are Now Considered Standard• Caliber: 7.92 x 57mm Mouser (also known as 7.9 or 8mm Mouser) • High Quality Design Made for Comparatively Costly and Slow

Production Rate– Precision Machined Parts Proved to Be Sensitive and Prone to

Malfunction in Harsh Conditions of Field Use• Uses Both Magazine and Belt-fed 7.92mm Ammo

– Available in Saddle Drum Magazines of 75 rounds, belts of 50 rounds and Boxed Belts of 250 rounds

• High Rate-of-Fire, up to 900 rounds/min. and Fitted with Quick-Change Barrel to Prevent Overheating and Prolong Barrel Life

Used as primary infantry machine gun early in WW II, it remained as the primary tank and aircraft defensive weapon.

Air-cooled, the barrel overheated quickly and had to be changed as often as every 300 rounds.

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German MG-34

The MG-34 is a light machine gun, with 50 round belt drum-like box.

MG-34 with Barrel Change

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German MG-34 Machine Gun

Replica

List Price: 399.75€

(moto-boxer.com) 17

German MG-34 Replicas

Item: 000.902

(www.oldtimergarage.eu)

International Military Antiques Inc.

MG-34 on bipod, without belt

With strict laws against automatic weapon, replicas and airsoft versions give a very original look.

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1940 German BMW R-71 with MG-34 (aardvarkprops.com)

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KS750 Zundapp with MG-34 Light Machine-Gun (LMG)

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German MG-42 Machine Guns• Introduced in Early 1941 as Simpler, More-Rugged Successor to MG-34

– MG-34: Expensive and Time-Consuming to Produce– MG42: Used Stamped Parts, Simplifying Production– Integral Bipod and Quick-Change Barrel

• MG-42 Regarded by Many Experts as Best-Ever Machine Gun– Proved to Be Reliable and Rugged, under Most Extreme Conditions

• Air-cooled and Recoil-Operated with Slightly Recoiling Barrel– Recoil Mechanism Based on Newly-Invented Construction of

Breech with Rollers• During WWII, MG-42 Had Fastest Rate of Fire of Any Weapon

– No Single Shot Capability – 1200 Rounds per Minute (up to 1800 in some versions)– Led to Decreased Barrel Life Compared to MG-34 Predecessor

• Belted 7.92mm Ammunition Fed from the Left• Few Draw-Backs Due to its High Rate-of-Fire

– Used Vast Quantities of Ammunition– Remained Susceptible to Overheating

The human ear cannot discern the sound of individual bullets being fired.The MG-42 makes a sound like

“ripping cloth," earning it the nickname of "Hitler's Buzzsaw."21

German MG-42 Machine Gun Replicas

Item : 001.565

List Price: €795.00

(www.oldtimergarage.eu)

Replicas look good, at half the price.22

Modern Russian PK Machine Gun• General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)• Designed in Soviet Union and Currently in Production in Russia• Introduced in 1965 to Replace SGM and RPD Machine Guns in Soviet Service• Fires 7.62 mm• Used as Light Anti-Aircraft (AA) Weapon When Put on AA Mount

Soviet Machine Guns feed from the right and ejects spent cases via an ejection port on the left, as opposed to the

right side ejection port seen in most Western machine guns.23

Airsoft machine guns are the least expensive approach.Plus the little orange cap helps placate the police.

Airsoft guns are air-powered ballistic projectors that replicate real fire arms. Airsoft guns come in all shapes and sizes ranging from pistols, to rifles to shotguns. A majority of airsoft guns are powered by a mechanical gearbox that uses a piston and cylinder system to compress the air required to fire the projectile. Airsoft pistols are predominantly powered by a pressurized gas. Specific rifles, like bolt action rifles and shotguns, are spring powered and manually cocked, similar to a pellet gun. Airsoft guns fire a 6mm ball projectile and are used for recreation and professional training.

Airsoft Machine Guns

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Rough Pricing of Machine GunsMG Supplier Internet Address (www.) Fits Part # Approx 2010

Price (USD)

DP-28 Old Timer Garage oldtimergarage.szn.pl MG deko 001.536 $396

Military Gun Supply militarygunsupply.com Light Machine Gun Parts Kit. Excellent Condition! Includes torch cut receiver pieces and original barrel.

DP28 Parts kit

$495

International Military Antiques Inc. www.ima-usa.com Russian DP-28 Display LMG ON0202 $1,995

International Military Antiques Inc. www.ima-usa.com Pan Magazine MR1100 $25

International Military Antiques Inc. www.ima-usa.com Bipod Mount RR1900 $60

Military Antiques & Museum www.militaryantiquesmuseum

.com

De-Milled DP-28 FR-213 $1,500

MG-34 replica

Oldtimer Garage oldtimergarage.szn.pl MG-34 replica 000.902 $334

International Military Antiques Inc. ima-usa.com MG-34 parts set w/ demilled receiver 000.860 $495

Philadelphia Ordanance Inc .philaord.com 80% Machined MG-34 Receiver mg34 $475

Edelweiss Militaria edelweissmilitaria.com - V-1017 $550

Moto World changjiang750sidecar.com Mount with MG34 adapter 01-0012 $400

Moto World changjiang750sidecar.com MG-34 adapter 01-0013 $50

Ersatzteile und Zubehör ural.de/news.shtml All metal, no moving parts Militaria $376

Blitzbikes blitzbikes.com MG-34 Id 9 $590

MG-42replica

Old Timer Garage oldtimergarage.szn.pl deco, perfect replica, very original look. Wooden butt. Movable parts: trigger, ammunition holder, barrel lock

001.565 $1,067

Old Timer Garage oldtimergarage.szn.pl MB-750/650, K-750 (DPO 01120-W) 000.990 $56

Moto World changjiang750sidecar.com M-72 01-0030 $40

Silver Goose: The Eastern Block Sidecars with Factory Bumper MG-1 $100

Silver Goose: The Eastern Block Sidecars without Factory Bumper MG-2 $100

Much like antiques, the price of a machine gun is heavily dependent on its condition and heritage.

Most folks will opt for the airsoft “look-a-likes.”25

Comparison of Russian Machine GunsMachine Gun Russian DP-28 German MG-34 German MG-42 Russian PK

Introduced 1928 1934 1942 1965

Caliber 7.62x54 mmR 7.92x57 mm 7.92x57 mm 7.62×54mmR

Length 1,270 mm (50.0 in) 1225 mm 1220 mm 1,203 mm (47.4 in)

Barrel Length 604 mm (23.8 in) 600 mm 530 mm 658 mm (25.9 in)

Rate of Fire 500-600 rounds/min 800-900 rounds/min 1200-1300 rounds/min

650–850 round/min.

Mass 9.12 kg (20.11 lb) 12.1 kg 11.6 kg 9 kg (19.84 lb) (gun + integral bipod)

Weight of Light/Heavy 9.12 kg 6.57/23.6 kg 6.57/20.5 kg

Effective Range 800 m 2000 m 2000 m 1,640 yd (100–1,500 m sight adjustments)

Belt, Cartridges Pan 47 rounds PCs. 50 cartridges, PCs. 50 belt-fed, using linked 25 round belts

Belts in 100/200/250 round boxes

Weight of Belt 1.5 kg 1.5 kg

Mass/Number Portability Ammo Ammunition

47 8.35 kg/250 PC’s 8.35 kg/250 PC’s

Muzzle Velocity 840 m/s (2,755 ft/s) MPs 755 m/s 710 m/s 825 m/s

Russian Machine Guns

German Machine Guns

DP-28 PK

MG-34 MG-421934 1942

1928 1965

time

DPM1944

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Repro Soviet Bandolier for 60 Rounds of 7.62 X 54R

The DP 28 pan canister takes 47 rounds of 7.62 X 54R.

List Price: $21.99

(www.ostfront.com)

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Original Diektariow Piechotnyj (DP)

Ammo Cartridge for DP-28 MG

Item: 004.309

List Price: 15.00€

(www.oldtimergarage.eu)

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Original Russian DP-28 Shoulder Ammo Pouch (www.ostfront.com, Product Code: ROFG-00054)

DP-28 Shoulder Ammo Pouch(www.ostfront.com, Product Code: ROFG-00054)

Three DP28 Pan Magazines in Metal Carrying Box (www.collectorssource.com, $75.00 )

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DP28 Magazine and Pouch Set

Original Polish Kit for the DP-28 Rifle, including 3

Magazines and Carrying Pouch, Rifle Cover, and Sling (militarygunsupply.com. Model: XMRUDP28 SET. $129.99)

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Ural with Potato Howitzer(Oct “06 Fall Foliage Ride and Camp)

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BSA (info.detnews.com)

World War-Two (WW-II) 50 cal machine gun mounted on a BSA motorcycle with sidecar. 32

50-caliber Machine Gun Added to Russian M-72 Sidecar

We have a few photos of attaching a

50-caliber machine gun to a Russian M-72 sidecar.33

Коляска для мотоцикла М-72 типа ОМ "Звезда"(Sidecar for Russian Motorcycle M-72 Type OM “Star or Zvezda”)

Zvezda is a Russian manufacturer of plastic scale models of military vehicles. Founded in 1990, they produce

accurate scale model kits with attention to detail.34

50-caliber Machine Gun on a M-72 Sidecar

We explore the various packaging and mounting options for first aid / survival kits on Russian sidecars.

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Carriage for 50-caliber

Zvezda has done a superb job detailing the machine gun carriage attached to a Russian M-72 sidecar.

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