Soviet Satellite Country Ammunition - Czechoslovakia (Part 3)

       

Examination of Czechoslovakian Ammunition Production/Inventory

7.92mm Red Tracer Cartridge, Model 28
(7.92mm Ostry Cervene Svitiei Naboj Vz. 28)

 

This cartridge, which produces a red trace, is basically designed for use in machine guns but may be used in all weapons chambered for 7.92mm x 57mm ammunition.  Although available documentary sources do not give a distinctive color marking for this round, it is believe to be identified by a red 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: 10.25g (158 gr)
Weight of propellent: 2.9g (44 gr)
Length of cartridge: 80mm (3.15 in)
Length of case: 57mm (2.24 in)
Length of bullet: 36.5mm (1.43 in)


Packaging

No picture available

 

Information on packaging of this round is not available.

7.92mm Ball Target Cartridge, Model 27
(7.92mm Ostry Tercovy Naboj Vz.27)

 
This cartridge is identified by a "T" marked on the cartridge case base and by the split bullet jacket.  It is used for target practice in 7.92mm rifles and carbines.  It can be used in any rifle or carbine chambered for 7.92mm x 57mm cartridges.


Characteristics
Caliber: 7.92mm (cal. 311)
Weight of cartridge: 25.15g (388 gr)
Weight of case: 11.5g (177 gr)
Weight of bullet: 10.4g (160 gr)
Weight of propellent: 3g (46 gr)
Length of cartridge: 80mm (3.15 in)
Length of case: 57mm (2.24 in)
Length of bullet: 28mm (1.1 in)


Packaging

No picture available


Information on packaging of this round is not available.

7.92mm Blank Cartridge (Red Bullet), Model 30
(7.92mm Cvieny Naboj Vz.30)

 

This cartridge is used for training with rifles.  It has a cotton or wool fiber wad over the propellent charge; the wad is not as large as that used in the machine gun blank cartridge.  The wooden bullet breaks up completely and is not dangerous beyond normal safety limits for blank cartridges.  The bullet is colored red as a means of identification.  It ca be used in any weapon chambered for 7.92mm x 57mm rimless ammunition.


Characteristics
Caliber: 7.92mm (cal. 311)
Weight of cartridge: 15.1g (234 gr)
Weight of case: 11.5g (177 gr)
Weight of bullet: 0.6g (9.3 gr)
Weight of propellent: 2.3g (35 gr)
Length of cartridge: 80mm (3.15 in)
Length of case: 57mm (2.24 in)
Length of bullet: 32.3mm (1.27 in)


Packaging

No picture available


Information on packaging of this round is not available.

7.92mm Blank Cartridge (Yellow Bullet), Model 30
(7.92mm Cvieny Naboj Vz.30)

This round is loaded for training use in machine guns.  A large cotton or wool fiber wad rests over the propellent charge and assists in building up enough gas pressure to operate the machine gun automatically.  The wooden bullet is colored yellow to distinguish it from other blank cartridges.  This cartridge should not be used in weapons having a compensator or muzzle brake, since unburned wads may accumulate and cause dangerous pressures.


Characteristics
Caliber: 7.92mm (cal. 311)
Weight of cartridge: 17.4g (269 gr)
Weight of case: 11.5g (177 gr)
Weight of bullet: 0.5g (7.72 gr)
Weight of propellent: 2.4g (37.1 gr)
Length of cartridge: 80mm (3.15 in)
Length of case: 57mm (2.24 in)
Length of bullet: 29.1mm (1.14 in)


Packaging

No picture available


Information on packaging of this round is not available.

7.92mm Dummy Cartridge, Model 24
(7.92mm Skolni Naboj Vz.24)

 
This cartridge is used for training purposes.  In internal construction, it is entirely different from United States dummy cartridges.  A wooden rod is fitted into the base of a light ball bullet, and extends to the cartridge case base.  Instead of a primer, there is a rubber insert in the primer pocket.  The rubber insert saves wear on the firing pin during "dry" firing exercises.  The cartridge can be used for training or testing purposes in any weapon chambered for 7.92mm x 57mm cartridges.   The round may be found with horizontal grooves in the cartridge case rather than the vertical grooves shown in the illustration.


Characteristics
Caliber: 7.92mm (cal. 311)
Weight of cartridge: ?g (? gr)
Weight of case: 11.5g (177 gr)
Weight of bullet: ?g (? gr)
Weight of propellent: Not Applicable
Length of cartridge: 80mm (3.15 in)
Length of case: 57mm (2.24 in)
Length of bullet: 28.4mm (1.11 in)


Packaging

No picture available


Information on packaging of this round is not available.

7.92mm Reduced Charge Cartridge, Model 30
(7.92mm Ostry Redukovany Naboj Vz.30)

 

This cartridge is fired in the Czech ZB26 light machine gun, and may also be used in any other weapon chambered for 7.92mm x 57mm cartridges.  It might be called a shot cartridge, by United States definition.  It has a small lead pellet seated in the head of its wooden bullet.  When the round is fired, the wooden bullet breaks up and the lead pellet continues on its way.  The range and effectiveness of the pellet would be insignificant, however, and its purpose is obscure.  Because performance of the pellet is unpredictable, the round should be used with caution.  The cartridge can be distinguished by its purple-colored wooden bullet.

Base markings usually indicate manufacturer's symbol and date of manufacture.  Specimens with a blackened cartridge case have also been observed.


Characteristics
Caliber: 7.92mm (cal. 311)
Weight of cartridge: 15.11g (234 gr)
Weight of case: 11.5g (177 gr)
Weight of bullet: 0.86g (13.3 gr)
Weight of propellent: 2.33g (36 gr)
Length of cartridge: 80mm (3.15 in)
Length of case: 57mm (2.24 in)
Length of bullet: 31.6mm (1.24 in)


Packaging

No picture available


Information on packaging of this round is not available.

Next Time: Soviet Satellite Country Ammunition - Czechoslovakia (Part 4)

Source: Original US-supplied Canadian Manual on Soviet & Soviet Satellite Explosives (No. 30-14-2)