Vasily Degtyarev
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Vasily Alekseyevich Degtyarev (Васи́лий Алексе́евич Дегтярёв) (January 2, 1880, Tula - January 16, 1949, Moscow) was a Russian weapons designer, Major General of the Engineering and Artillery Service, Doctor of Technical Sciences (1940), and Hero of Socialist Labor (1940). He became a CPSU member in 1941.
Vasily Degtyarev was the one to head the first Soviet firearms design bureau. He has created several types of machine guns, submachine guns and anti-tank guns. In 1927, the Red Army was equipped with the 7.62 mm light machine gun called ДП, or DP (Дегтярёва Пехотный, or Degtyarev's infantry (machine gun)). Degtyarev's aircraft machine guns ДА (DA) and ДА-2 (DA-2) (Дегтярёва Авиационный) and tank machine gun ДТ, or DT (Дегтярёва Танковый) were based on his DP light machine gun. Degtyarev also designed a few models of submachine guns, the best of which would be adopted by the Soviet Army in 1934 and modernized in 1940 under the name ППД, or PPD (Пистолет-пулемёт Дегтярёва, or Degtyarev's submachine gun). In 1930, Degtyarev designed his 12.7 mm large-caliber machine gun called ДК, or DK (Дегтярёва Крупнокалиберный). In 1938, this machine gun was upgraded by Georgi Shpagin to anti-aircraft machine gun and dubbed ДШК, or DShK (Дегтярёва Шпагина Крупнокалиберный). In 1939, Degtyarev designed his heavy machine gun called ДС, or DS (Дегтярёва Станковый). During the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet Army adopted Degtyarev's 14.5 mm anti-tank rifle called ПТРД, or PTRD (Противотанковое Ружьё Дегтярёва) and 1944 light machine gun.
Vasily Degtyarev was awarded the State Award of the USSR in 1941, 1942, 1944, and 1949 (posthumously). He was also awarded three Orders of Lenin, four other orders and different medals.
See also: Degtyarev plant (in Kovrov)