[Trent]

I figured I'd ask this in NFA because it's more likely someone might have an answer.

On the DShK I have, the receiver is marked 1938/46 - indicating mine was built off of a DShkM (modernized).

I've been doing research for a few hours and for the life of me, I can't find out what the technical differences are between the original DShK and the DShKM.

Anyone have a rundown of what changes were made?

Thanks!

[Gunnerboy]

On DShKM guns, belt feed uses simplified slider-type belt traction unit, also powered through the swinging arm, and somewhat similar in design to the feed of the RP-46 gun. Spent cartridges are ejected down through openings in the receiver and bolt carrier.
Its all about the feeding of ammo and belts.

[modifiedbrowning]

Apparently the original 1938 model had a rotary feed mechanism. The 1946 upgrade changed this to a pawl feed system.

[Trent]

So, my DShK has the big honking reciprocating claw on the outside right of the receiver, that a round knob sticking out the right side of the gas piston assembly engages when it travels rearward. This, in turn, engages the pawl that feeds the ammo. I have the "modern" version then? (As "modern" as a 1946 design can be called, that is..)

[Gunnerboy]

^ yup

[Trent]

Cool, thanks for the help. I'm going to take it out shooting for the first time next weekend, if the weather is good.

[SDC]

The immediate external difference is the rounded top-cover on the 1938; Shpagin designed the feed system on this HMG, and it originally used a toothed sprocket wheel that rotated as the bolt recoiled, to draw the belt in another link, but that was replaced by the simpler pawl system in 1946 (which is why the 38/46 is also sometimes called the DShKM, or "Modernized"). The early Russian designs tended to concentrate on this "wheel"-type feed system, and it seemed to work well enough and reliably enough that they stuck with it for a long time; the ShKAS MG and cannon also used a version of this feed method.