8mm Mauser ID

[majormarine]

Hi guys,

i have some 8mm Mauser ammo. They are 154 gr and come in a plain white box of 20 rds, and made by Winchester Repeating Arms Co. They are obviously old ammo, but i don't know how old they are. They have head stamp: WRA 7.92

My question is, are they corrosive and berdan primed?

Thanks!

 

[bearhunter]

The box will give you the answer. Is there a date stamped on the head? If not, there is usually a a lot number and date on the box.
Winchester made quite a bit of 7.92x57 ammunition during WWII. The Brits used it in their BESA machine guns. If it is WWII manufacture, it may be corrosive but still boxer primed . If it is recent manufacture, it will be non corrosive and boxer primed.

 

[majormarine]

no date on box, neither nor on the head stamp.

in front of the box, it prints:
20
7.92 m/m MAUSER CARTRIDES
154 GR. FULL METAL CASE
Made in U.S.A.
Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
Division of Olin Industries, Inc
New Haven, Conn, U.S.A.

...no print on the back of the box.

Well, if it's boxer primed, then it's better. At least i can use them to reload!

Thanks!

 

[CanAm]

Pre-or post WWII? I would need a pic, but 99% they are NC boxer.

 

[majormarine]

CanAm: don't know if it's pre or post war, but i believe it's post-war.

Here are a couple of pics:

 

[CanAm]

likely 50's are later.

nc boxer

Easy way to tell if boxer is to measure the primer.

 

[bearhunter]

I have several boxes of those. They are boxer primed and non corrosive. Good advice about measuring the primer diameter Can Am. The crimp might make it a bit tough though.

 

[majormarine]

Thanks, guys! I'm happy!

 

[green]

"S" ball loaded for China c1950.

 

[Tex Critter]

Olin acquired Winchester in 1931. A division of OLIN called the Western Cartridge Company made 7.92mm for the chinese from 1942-44. Since yours are stamped WRA it is reasonable to assume they were manufactured after 1944.