Soviet Satellite Country Ammunition - Czechoslovakia (Part 2)

 
 
 
 
 
Examination of Czechoslovakian Ammunition Production/Inventory

 

Author's Note: The Czech M48 is mentioned quite a few times in the manual, referring to the CZ52, as well as mentions of a Czech 7.62mm submachine gun - the CZ model 25.  The M48 was the nomenclature of the round, not the pistol.  The semi-automatic rifle is the Vz.52, and the light machine gun is named the same - Vz.52.

 

 

 

7.62mm Ball Pistol Cartridge, (Model 48?)
(Czechoslovakian Nomenclature Unknown)

 
This cartridge is interchangeable with the Soviet 7.62mm pistol ammunition.  It is used in Czech 7.62mm submachineguns and the new Czech 7.62mm automatic pistol M48.  Specimens of the cartridge tested in the United States have considerably higher velocity, and propellent charges about 20% heavier, in comparison to the standard Soviet 7.62mm Type P pistol cartridges thus far encountered.

The power of the Czech cartridge would seem to indicate that it was designed mainly for use in submachineguns; however, so far as can be determined at present, it can be safely fired from any existing 7.62mm or 7.63mm Mauser automatic pistol.

All cartridge cases recovered have been brass, but steel cases may also be used.  There is a black or navy blue annulus around the Berdan-type primer.  Bullet cores are usually mild steel, and jackets are gilding-metal-clad steel.  Base markings usually give manufacturer's symbol and date of manufacture.

The Czech military designation of the round is not known, but it tentatively accepted as M48.


Characteristics
Caliber: 7.62mm (cal. 30)
Weight of cartridge: 10.64g (165 gr)
Weight of case: 4.5g (70 gr)
Weight of bullet: 5.5g (85 gr)
Weight of propellent: 0.64g (10 gr)
Length of cartridge: 34mm (1.36 in)
Length of case: 24mm (0.97 in)
Length of bullet: 14mm (0.55 in)


Packaging
 
 
Boxes have been found to contain this ammunition loaded in 8-round chargers which are used to load Czech 7.62mm submachinegun magazines.  There is no further information on this or other possible types of packaging for the cartridge.




 

 

7.62mm Blank Pistol Cartridge, Model ?
(Czechoslovakian Nomenclature Unknown)

 
This cartridge can be used for training in the Czech 7.62mm submachineguns and 7.62mm M48 automatic pistol.  It is distinguishable by the rose-petal crimp of the case.  The cartridge case is brass and has a black or navy blue primer annulus.

Base markings usually show the manufacturer's symbol or number, and the date of manufacture.  The cartridge can be used in any weapon chambered for 7.62mm Soviet Model P or German 7.63mm Mauser automatic pistol cartridges.



Characteristics
Caliber: 7.62mm (cal. 30)
Weight of cartridge: 5.3g (82 gr)
Weight of case: 4.7g (73 gr)
Weight of propellent: 0.58g (9 gr)
Length of cartridge: 24mm (0.94 in)
Length of case: 24mm (0.94 in)


Packaging


Information on packaging of this round is not available.

7.62mm Short Ball Cartridge, (Model 1952?)
(Czechoslovakian Nomenclature Unknown)

 
This cartridge has recently appeared in the hands of Czech troops.  It is reported to be used in two new Czech weapons: A semi-automatic rifle, M1952 and a light machinegun, M1952.  The cartridge represents Czech entrance into the field of short rifle cartridges.  It is not interchangeable with the new Soviet short rifle cartridge M1943.

The base marking represents the month and year of manufacture and the manufacturer's code letter.  To date, no annulus has been found on rounds of this type.  The case is brass with Berdan primer.  The bullet has a cupro-nickel jacket with mild steel core.


Characteristics
Caliber: 7.62mm (cal. 30)
Weight of cartridge: 19.06g (293.7 gr)
Weight of case: 8.7g (134.4 gr)
Weight of bullet: 8.6g (132 gr)
Weight of propellent: 1.8g (27 gr)
Length of cartridge: 59.7mm (2.35 in)
Length of case: 44.9mm (1.77 in)
Length of bullet: 28.2mm (1.11 in)


Packaging


Information on packaging of this round is not available.

7.65mm Ball Cartridge, Browning
(7.62mm Ostry Naboj Browning)

 
This cartridge is used in the M1927 and M1950 automatic pistols, and can be used in any pistol chambered for 7.65mm Browning.  The cartridge is called the .32 ACP in the United States.  Base markings usually show manufacturer's symbol and caliber. 

The round is one of the most popular of pistol cartridges, and has been manufactured all over the world.  Because it is so wildly manufactured, various bullet weights and lengths and different propellent weights may be encountered.
  
The round has a rimless brass cartridge case with a single offset flash hole, and a Berdan-type primer with a black annulus.  Powder is the flake type, and grayish-green in color.  The bullet has a lead alloy core and a cupro-nickel-plated mild steel jacket.


Characteristics
Caliber: 7.65mm (cal. 301)
Weight of cartridge: 7.5g (116 gr)
Weight of case: 2.89g (44.73 gr)
Weight of bullet: 4.49g (69.3 gr)
Weight of propellent: 0.14g (2.28 gr)
Length of cartridge: 25mm (0.97 in)
Length of case: 17mm (0.67 in)
Length of bullet: 12mm (0.48 in)


Packaging


Information on packaging of this round is not available.

7.92mm Light Pointed Ball Cartridge, Model 23
(7.92mm Ostry Naboj Vz. 23)

 
This round is designed for use against personnel.  The cartridge has been found with nickel, cupro-nickel, and gilding-metal-plated steel bullet jackets.  The bullet has a flat base with a concavity toward the center, like the Soviet 7.62mm Type L.

Large quantities of these cartridges were used by the Germans in World War II and consequently are liable to be encountered anywhere in Europe.  They can be fired in any weapon chambered for 7.92mm x 57mm cartridges.  The cartridges have a black or navy blue primer annulus.


Characteristics
Caliber: 7.92mm (cal. 311)
Weight of cartridge: 24.6g (379 gr)
Weight of case: 11.5g (177 gr)
Weight of bullet: 10g (154 gr)
Weight of propellent: 3.03g (46 gr)
Length of cartridge: 80mm (3.15 in)
Length of case: 57mm (2.24 in)
Length of bullet: 28.4mm (1.11 in)


Packaging

 


Information on packaging of this round is not available.

7.92mm Heavy Pointed Ball Cartridge, Model 34
(7.92mm Ostry Tezky Naboj Vz.34)

 
This round is designed for use against personnel.  It has a heavy spitzer-pointed and boattailed bullet consisting of a lead core and a nickel-plated mild steel jacket.  The bullet is cannelured to provide a recess into which the cartridge case is crimped.

It is identified by a green lacquered primer seal.  The case is of brass, employing a single centered flash hole (bored through the anvil) with brass Berdan-type primer cups.  Powder is the flake type and grayish-black in color.  This cartridge may be used in all weapons chambered for 7.92mm x 57mm cartridges.


Characteristics
Caliber: 7.92mm (cal. 311)
Weight of cartridge: 27.4g (420 gr)
Weight of case: 11.5g (177 gr)
Weight of bullet: 12.8g (197 gr)
Weight of propellent: 2.96g (44 gr)
Length of cartridge: 80mm (3.15 in)
Length of case: 57mm (2.24 in)
Length of bullet: 35.8mm (1.4 in)


Packaging


Information on packaging of this round is not available.

7.92mm Ball Cartridge with Mild Steel Core, Model ?
(7.92mm Ostry Naboj Vz.?)

 
This round is not mentioned in available Czech documentary sources but of late has been recovered in increasing amounts.  It is heavier than the 7.92mm Light Ball Model 23, and lighter than the 7.92mm Heavy Ball Model 34.  The weight of the bullet is the same as that of the German 7.92mm SmE (pointed ball with steel core).  The base markings indicate the manufacturer's initial or code symbol, and the date of manufacture.  The primer annulus is black or navy blue, just as is that of the 7.92mm Light Ball Model 23.

The cartridge can be used in any weapon chambered for 7.92mm x 57mm cartridges, although the label states it is for use in rifles and light machineguns.  It has a brass case with single offset or twin flash holes.  The primer is a Berdan type with flat-base brass cup.  Powder may be either flake or tubular type and is grayish-black in color.

The boattailed bullet is spitzer-pointed and has a nickel-plated mild steel jacket.  The bullet cor is of mild steel and flat nosed.  A lead filler is interposed between the bullet core and jacket.


Characteristics
Caliber: 7.92mm (cal. 311)
Weight of cartridge: 25.85g (399 gr)
Weight of case: 11.5g (177 gr)
Weight of bullet: 11.54g (178.17 gr)
Weight of propellent: 2.82g (43.62 gr)
Length of cartridge: 80mm (3.15 in)
Length of case: 57mm (2.24 in)
Length of bullet: 36mm (1.42 in)


Packaging

 

This Czech 7.92mm rifle and light machinegun ammunition is packed loosely (not in clips) in white or brown cardboard cartons.  Each carton contains 3 rows of 5 rounds each, or a total of 15 cartridges.  The tops of the cartons have white labels with Czech markings in black letters.

Eighty cartons (1,200 rounds) are packed in an unpainted wooden box having a hinged lid and rope carrying handles on either end.  There are 5 cartons in length of the box, 4 cartons in the width, and 4 in depth.  On the top and right end of the box are 2-in x 3-inch white labels with Czech markings in black letters.  A factory inspection slip is glued to the under side of the box cover.

7.92mm Armor-Piercing Cartridge, Model ?
(7.92mm Ostry Naboj Vz.?)

 
This cartridge is designed for use against personnel and lightly armored vehicles.  It is fired in both rifles and machineguns, and may be used in any weapon chambered for 7.92mm x 57mm ammunition.

The spitzer-pointed bullet has a tungsten steel core and a nickel-plated mild steel jacket, with a lead alloy filler interposed between the core and the jacket.  A cannelure on the bullet serves as the recess into which the cartridge case is crimped.  The brass cartridge case employs a single centered flash hole (bored through the anvil) with brass Berdan-type primer cups.  The propellent is a grayish-black flake type.  The round is identified by a white lacquer primer seal.


Characteristics
Caliber: 7.92mm (cal. 311)
Weight of cartridge: 24.6g (379 gr)
Weight of case: 11.5g (177 gr)
Weight of bullet: 10g (154 gr)
Weight of propellent: 3.03g (46 gr)
Length of cartridge: 80mm (3.15 in)
Length of case: 57mm (2.24 in)
Length of bullet: 33.3mm (1.31 in)


Packaging


Information on packaging of this round is not available.


 

Next Time: Czechoslovakian small arms munitions