The Polish RPD Buttstock with Sling Swivel is an original military surplus component from one of the most iconic Cold War era light machine guns. The RPD (Ruchnoy Pulemyot Degtyaryova) was designed by legendary Soviet firearms engineer Vasily Degtyaryov in 1943-1944 specifically for the new 7.62x39mm M43 intermediate cartridge. Adopted by the Soviet armed forces in 1948, the RPD became the first true squad automatic weapon chambered in the intermediate cartridge that would later define the AK-47 and AKM platforms. Poland began licensed production of the RPD at the Radom Arsenal in 1956, continuing manufacture through the early 1960s before the weapon was phased out in favor of the RPK. These Polish-manufactured RPDs saw extensive service with Warsaw Pact forces and were exported worldwide, seeing combat in conflicts from Vietnam to Africa.
The RPD buttstock design incorporates several engineering refinements that made the weapon more controllable during sustained fire. The stock features a distinctive heavy wooden grip section that provides excellent weight distribution and a natural shooting position, particularly when firing from the prone position. The stock contains an integrated recoil buffer system housed within the buttstock assembly, which significantly reduces felt recoil and improves accuracy during automatic fire. Later production RPD variants, including Polish models, incorporated a folding cleaning rod stored within a channel in the buttstock. The metal lower section provides structural reinforcement and houses the connection point for the receiver, while the integrated sling swivel allows for proper carry configurations. The RPD's fixed buttstock design contributed to the weapon's reputation for reliability and durability in harsh combat environments, with the 16.31 lb overall weapon weight providing a stable firing platform for the belt-fed system.
This original Polish RPD buttstock represents authentic Warsaw Pact military production from the Radom Arsenal. The buttstock features the characteristic wood and metal construction that defined Eastern Bloc military firearms of the era. The metal lower section with receiver interface shows the robust engineering that allowed these weapons to function reliably in extreme conditions from Arctic cold to tropical humidity. The wooden grip panels display the honest wear of military service, with surfaces that have been handled by soldiers during training and deployment. These stocks were built to military specifications with no compromises for commercial production, representing the pinnacle of Cold War era light machine gun technology. Original Polish RPD parts have become increasingly difficult to source as surplus stocks diminish, making authentic components like this buttstock valuable for restoration projects, display pieces, or parts kit builds.
This buttstock is in Fair Condition with honest military surplus wear. The metal lower section remains structurally sound with all mounting points intact and functional. The sling swivel is present and operational. The wooden grip sections show typical military service wear including chips or light cracks that are consistent with field use and decades of storage. These cosmetic imperfections do not affect the structural integrity or functionality of the component. The buttstock retains its original dimensions and can be installed on RPD receivers or used for parts kit restorations. This is an authentic piece of Cold War military history from Polish Radom production, offering collectors and builders an opportunity to acquire genuine Warsaw Pact firearms components at an excellent value. Perfect for RPD restoration projects, historical displays, or adding to your collection of military surplus parts.
