Some specifications taken from an old manual from my training days at School of Artillery: "Weapons and Equipment, East European and Communist Armies, Volume II":
12.7mm ANTIAIRCRAFT HEAVY MACHINEGUNS
12.7mm Degtyarev heavy machinegun M1938 (DShK)
12.7mm Degtyarev heavy machinegun M1938/46 (DShKM)
Quad 12.7mm antiaircraft heavy machinegun M53
During World War II the M1938 heavy machinegun was employed in an antiaircraft role on its extended tripod mount, on a special twin antiaircraft mount, on small warships, and mounted on the roofs of heavy tanks and assault guns. After the war the improved M1938/46 was similarly used. Currently within the Warsaw Pact the 12.7mm machinegun is used primarily in an antiaircraft role mounted on the cupola of medium tanks. It Is standard on the T-54 series, and is found on some T-55 and T-62 models as well. Sometimes it is also used on armored personnel carriers and amphibious scout cars. The ground mount tripod is still used in Southeast Asia.
Czechoslovakia developed a multiple mount for the M1938/46 which consists of four DShKM machineguns with four ammunition drums (holding belts) placed on a light, towed, two-wheel carriage. This combination, known as the M53, was used for a number of years in the Czechoslovak forces, but more recently has appeared in both Cuba and the Middle East.
In addition to these weapons the United States caliber .50 M2 US machinegun is also used in Yugoslav Army on tanks and other armored vehicles in the antiaircraft role.
| 12.7 mm ANTIAIRCRAFT HEAVY MACHINEGUNS |
Single DShKM |
Quad M53 |
| |
|
|
|
| Caliber |
mm |
12.7 |
12.7 |
| Length of barrel |
|
967* |
967* |
| Length of machinegun w/muzzle brake |
mm |
1588 |
1588 |
| Weight in firing position |
kg |
131.5** |
628 |
| Weiqht in travel position |
kg |
131.5** |
2830 |
| Length in travel position |
mm |
2328 |
2900 |
| Width in travel position |
mm |
708 |
1570 |
| Height in travel position |
mm |
755** |
1780 |
| Track |
mm |
|
1500 |
| Clearance |
mm |
|
|
| Tire size |
|
|
5.00x16 |
| Height of axis of bore 0° |
mm |
|
|
| Elevation |
° |
+80*** |
+90 |
| Depression |
° |
-70*** |
-7 |
| Traverse |
° |
360*** |
360 |
| Rate of fire per barrel |
|
|
|
| cyclic |
rpm |
540-600 |
540-600 |
| practical |
rpm |
80 |
80 |
| Feed |
|
50-rd belt |
50-rd belt in drum |
| Projectile weight: API |
g |
49.5 |
49.5 |
| Muzzle velocity: API |
m.s |
840 |
840 |
| Maxi muni-range: horizontal |
m |
6500 |
6500 |
| vertical |
m |
5600 |
5600 |
| Effective AA range |
m |
1000 |
1000 |
| Pointblank range: API |
m |
833 |
833 |
| 2m high target |
|
|
|
| Armor penetration: API |
mm |
20 |
20 |
| 0°/500nm |
|
|
|
| Crew |
|
2 |
6 |
| Unit of fire |
rds |
120 |
2000 |
| |
|
|
|
| * w/o muzzle brake |
|
|
|
| ** w/o shield or ammuniation |
|
|
|
| *** on antiaircraft mounts |
|
|
| |