Soviet Satellite Country Ammunition - Czechoslovakia (Part 4)

        

Examination of Czechoslovakian Ammunition Production/Inventory

9mm Pistol Cartridge "Parabellum"
(9mm Pistolovy Naboj "Parabellum")

 

This cartridge, which is one of the most popular in the world, is used in the Czech Model 23 and Model 25 submachinegun, as well as in various Czech-held German submachineguns and pistols which are chambered for the 9mm Parabellum.  The cartridge is manufactured in Czechoslovakia with both steel- and lead-cored bullets, and with bullet jackets of steel, nickel-plated steel, cupro-nickel-plated steel, gilding metal, or gilding-metal-plated steel.  Cases are usually brass, although steel might be encountered.  Primers usually have a black or navy blue annulus.  The cartridge can be used in any pistol of submachinegun chambered for 9mm Parabellum cartridges.


Characteristics
Caliber: 9mm (cal. 354)
Weight of cartridge: 10.56g (164 gr)
Weight of case: 3.8g (60 gr)
Weight of bullet: 6.4g (98 gr)
Weight of propellent: 0.36g (5.6 gr)
Length of cartridge: 29mm (1.17 in)
Length of case: 19mm (0.74 in)
Length of bullet: 15.5mm (0.61 in)


Packaging

 

This 9mm ammunition for the Czech Model 23 and Model 25 submachineguns is packed in 8-round metal chargers, with 40 rounds (5 chargers) per cardboard carton.  Fifty-seven such cartons (2,280 rounds) are packed in an unpainted wooden box.  This box has a hinged lid and there is an iron carrying handle at each end.  The tops of the cartons and the box have white labels with Czech markings in black letters.

9mm Ball Cartridge, Model 22
(9mm Ostry Naboj Vz.22)

 

This cartridge is universally used and manufactured.  In Czechoslovakia, it is used in the Model 24 and Model 38 pistols.  It is also a common commercial cartridge in Czechoslovakia.  Base markings usually show manufacturer's symbol and caliber.  Considerable variations may be encountered in bullet and propellent weights.

A dummy version of this cartridge is the 9mm Model 24 (9mm Skolni Naboj Vz. 24), which is used for training purposes; the dummy has no primer in the primer pocket.


Characteristics
Caliber: 9mm (cal. 354)
Weight of cartridge: 9.71g (150 gr)
Weight of case: 3.3g (51 gr)
Weight of bullet: 6.16g (95 gr)
Weight of propellent: 0.26g (4 gr)
Length of cartridge: 23.89mm (0.98 in)
Length of case: 17.01mm (0.67 in)
Length of bullet: 10.92mm (0.43 in)


Packaging

No picture available


Information on packaging of this round is not available.

15mm Armor-Piercing Cartridge, Model 38
(Czechoslovakian Nomenclature Unknown)

 

This cartridge was designed for the Czech ZB60 heavy machinegun and may also be used in the British 15mm Besa machinegun.  The projectile body of this round is covered with graphite grease between the two rotating bands.  Armor penetration at 325 yards against face-hardened plate at an obliquity of 30 degrees is believed to be 15mm (0.59 inch).  The cartridge would therefore still be effective against lightly armored vehicles.  The cartridge is identified by its brass-colored projectile.


Characteristics
Caliber: 15mm (cal. .59)
Weight of cartridge: ?g (? gr)
Weight of case: ?g (? gr)
Weight of bullet: 73.8g (1,140 gr)
Weight of propellent: ?g (? gr)
Length of cartridge: 148mm (5.81 in)
Length of case: 104mm (4.09 in)
Length of bullet: 67mm (2.62 in)


Packaging

No picture available


Information on packaging of this round is not available.

15mm High-Explosive Tracer Cartridge, Model 38
(Czechoslovakian Nomenclature Unknown)

 

This cartridge was designed for the Czech ZB60 heavy machinegun and may also be used in the British 15mm Besa machinegun.  It is not known whether this cartridge is still considered standard in the Czech Army.  Its fuze is reported to be of the tracer self-destroying type, and is basically intended for anti-aircraft missions.  The nose fuze is brass-colored and the projectile body is painted black.  The portion of the projectile body between the two rotating bands is covered with graphite grease.


Characteristics
Caliber: 15mm (cal. .59)
Weight of cartridge: ?g (? gr)
Weight of case: ?g (? gr)
Weight of bullet: 63.8g (985 gr)
Weight of propellent: ?g (? gr)
Length of cartridge: 151mm (5.93 in)
Length of case: 104mm (4.09 in)
Length of bullet: 71mm (2.78 in)


Packaging

No picture available


Information on packaging of this round is not available.

15mm Blank Cartridge, Model 38
(Czechoslovakian Nomenclature Unknown)

 

This cartridge is used for training purposes in the Czech ZB60 heavy machinegun.  The bullet is made of wood and is not colored.  There is a small powder charge in the bullet to insure its breaking up when fired.  This round may also be used in the British 15mm Besa machiengun.


Characteristics
Caliber: 15mm (cal. .59)
Weight of cartridge: ?g (? gr)
Weight of case: ?g (? gr)
Weight of bullet: ?g (? gr)
Weight of propellent: ?g (? gr)
Length of cartridge: 146mm (5.81 in)
Length of case: 104mm (4.09 in)
Length of bullet: 74mm (2.93 in)


Packaging

No picture available


Information on packaging of this round is not available.

Next Time: Soviet Satellite Country Ammunition - Czechoslovakia (Part 5)

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