| Place | Asia: Vietnam, Phuoc Tuy Province, Long Tan |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM40791 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Firearm |
| Physical description | Metal, Wood |
| Place made | China: People's Republic of China |
| Date made | c 1956 |
| Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
Chicom Type 56 Light Machine Gun : North Vietnamese Forces
Description
Chicom Type 56 Light Machine Gun. This is a Chinese copy of the Soviet Degtyaryov light machine gun model 1944 (the RPD - Ruchnoy Pulemyot Degtyaryova) . Machined and pressed metal construction receiver with a right hand cocking lever. It is marked with three Chinese characters and 36 within a triangle. The butt, fore grip and pistol grip are wood. The barrel is air cooled with an enclosed recoil gas piston group underneath for half the length from the breech and a folding bipod is attached just behind the fore sight post. The fifty round ammunition belt carrier slides onto a bracket under the gun.
History / Summary
This weapon was captured at the Battle of Long Tan on the 18th of August 1966 by 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.