9mm question

[DDMac]

This ammo is at LEAST 50 years old. There is no date on the headstamp. Does anyone know with which gun this would have been used?



Thanks, Mac.

[tombogan03884]

Possibly for export to England for their Stens. I don't see a date on it but during the war companies tried to cut back their usage of many things so the plain box. it's standard 9mm, but since it SAYS for SMG's it's probably HOT.
You might want to talk to a cartridge collector about that, It may be worth a few boxes of NEW ammo.

[Trevor]

9mm ammo that is marked for SMG is not hotter.  Instead, it is made with a slower burning powder for use in SMGs that typically have longer barrels than pistols do.  While there may be more blast when using 9mm SMG ammo in a pistol, it is still okay to use it in a pistol.

As noted, the box in the picture is probably worth more to a collector than a shooter.  While it would be fun to shoot it and see how it goes, the money side of things dictate it needs a good home with a kindly collector. 

[gunman1911]

Are there any lot numbers?

[Ocin]

9mm ammo that is marked for SMG is not hotter.  Instead, it is made with a slower burning powder for use in SMGs that typically have longer barrels than pistols do.  While there may be more blast when using 9mm SMG ammo in a pistol, it is still okay to use it in a pistol.

As noted, the box in the picture is probably worth more to a collector than a shooter.  While it would be fun to shoot it and see how it goes, the money side of things dictate it needs a good home with a kindly collector. 

You think it might still go off after 50 years?

[Sponsor]

[gunman1911]

That would be ify at best . Alooong time ago I had a .30 cal and bought some WWII stuff and some went off but most did not.

[McGyver]

I have shot many boxes of "old" ammo. As long as it was stored properly, (ie: not in a very humid atmosphere,) it should go bang!
Just make sure you pay attention and listen to sound it makes, you should be fine. %90 of the old stuff I've shot goes bang!

[twyacht]

You think it might still go off after 50 years?


If stored properly, yes. Based on the picture, there is no evident corrosion or the dreaded "green scale" around the primers. But its the owners call. Had some .45 milsurp ball ammo and Vietnam 5.56 stuff worked fine, but just for range time now.

I would email these guys a pic: cartridgecollectors.org , before I fired any, Who knows?

I have 28 year old Argentine Mauser 7.65mm x 53, 187 gr BTFMJ. rounds and shoot about 200 rds a year. Never a FTF. Accurate as the shooter is, and kicks like a mule. Its stored (all my ammo is), dessicant is replaced twice a year, in milsurp ammo cans. Stored indoors not in the garage or attic, or basement.

Good Luck with it. Could be worth more NOT to shoot it?

Just my .02 cents(pre-tax).

[2HOW]

My guess would be Luger?

[DDMac]

Thanks for the input guys. Tom, I think you are right on the money with export manufacture to the Brits, as we didn't have anything 9mm in the field so long ago. No lot numbers visible, but they might have "disappeared" from the interior of the box.
Will contact cartridgecollectors.org and see what they say. Since I seem to have misplaced my Sten, I'll leave it to the next owner as to probability of functioning.
Thanks, Mac.