If the story told by D.N. Bolotin's "Soviet Small Arms and Ammunition" pages 145 - 146 is correct about this DP LMG prototype model 1938, that would be somewhat of an understatement:T. A. Gardner wrote: ↑19 Dec 2018, 20:17I suspect the Russians copied it, then found it to be impractical and ditched it for the "record player" magazine.
"On the eve of war, however, the fate of Soviet light machinegun hang in the balance. A representative of a military headquarters informed Stalin that light machineguns captured from the Japanese during the Khalkhin Gol Battles overcome the Degtarjev in all respects. The peculiar feed system of the Japanese weapons was considered to be a great advantage. Cartridges were held under the pressure of spring-loaded lid on a hopperon the left side of the receiver. When the hopper had been emptied, the firer simply depressed the spring with his hand and dropped new cartridges in place. However the smallest handling error - lack of experience , or simply attempting to load in uncomfortable position - could make the lid snap shut, bruising or even amputating fingers.
Stalin told Boris Vannikov to clarify the problem. During the sitting in People's Commissariat of Armament, where the Japanese trophy had been displayed, the military commanders expressed favourable opinion on it. The head of Chief Artillery Directive, Marshal Grigory Kulik, sided with the commanders and even suggested that Degtyarev light machinegun should be replaced with Japanese model. Military industry representatives objected this course of action, stressing that the Japanese weapon chambered 6.5mm semi-rimmed cartridges of type that was not manufactured in the USSR. Creating a new machinegun with Japanese type hopper feed adapted to 7.62-mm cartridge, would not only require development time but also add weight to the system. In addition, the magazine of the Japanese machinegun was dangerous under fighting conditions and would inevitably cause injuries to the soldiers if mass-conscription [mobilisation?] occurred.
However, nothing in these arguments could change the military minds. Then, supported by Klimenti Voroshilov (who had been chairing the conference), Vannikov lay down, opened the hopper and placed thick pencil across the wall of the magazine wall. When released the lid cut the pen in two. Marshal Semen Budyonny, sitting in front row, immediately remarked "let those who want this thing fight with it. I would never go to war with something like this." The future of Degtyarev light machinegun was finally assured."
The info above was presumably based on Vannikov's memoirs.
Jarkko