The DPM LMG was developed by renowned Soviet weapon designer Vasily Degtyaryov, who had previously created the DP-28 light machine gun. Seeking to improve upon its predecessor, Degtyaryov began working on a modified version in the early 1940s. The resulting design was designated the DPM and entered production in 1943.

 

The DPM differed from the DP-28 in mostly two major ways. The most obvious is that the DPM utilized a pistol grip and traditional stock while the DP-28 used a straight rifle stock with a bulge at the bottom for the non shooting hand to hold. The second major change was an internal one. The Dp-28’s recoil spring was located around the gas piston, under the barrel, and in front of the action. During times of intense fire, the heat from the barrel was so immense that it damaged the temper of the spring thus resulting in malfunctions. The DPM sought to correct this issue by positioning the recoil spring behind the bolt. Since there was no space behind the receiver to accommodate a spring, a tube was added to the rear of the rifle to house it. 

 

The DPM LMG was chambered for the 7.62x54mmR cartridge, the same round used in the famous Mosin-Nagant bolt-action rifles. It weighed approximately 9 kilograms (20 pounds) and had a barrel length of 604 millimeters (23.8 inches). The weapon employed a gas-operated, open-bolt system with a top-mounted 47-round pan magazine.

 

The DPM LMG made its combat debut during World War II and quickly proved its worth on the battlefield. Its rugged construction and reliable operation made it well-suited for the harsh conditions of the Eastern Front. The DPM's high rate of fire, combined with the pan magazine's capacity, allowed Soviet infantry squads to lay down suppressive fire, pinning down enemy forces and providing cover for advancing troops. Following the end of World War II, the DPM LMG remained in service with Soviet forces and those of other Warsaw Pact nations for several decades. It saw action in numerous conflicts, including the Korean War and the Vietnam War.