Name that ammo!

TheIndifferent1

TheIndifferent1

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Well, more like "Confirm that ammo". Didn't sound as catchy in the title though :D

I just got two boxes of old ammo from a friend. I'm not entirely sure if what's in the box is what is on the label, and I don't have any other rounds to compare them to.

First box is marked 8x50R and it is indeed a rimmed cartridge. These appear to be commercial reloads though. 8x50R is the original chambering for M95 Mannlichers, right? Some were then rechambered to 8x56R? Or do I have this backwards?

The case is berdan primed. 39.3 grains of some extruded powder. Bullet is 206.9 grain boat FMJBT

Second is a box of 7.5 Swiss. I've never seen any loaded with round nosed bullets though. This has 33.7gr of flake powder and a 189gr round nose FMJ bullet (cupro-nickel?). The cartridge has a ring of wax around the neck of the case to keep moisture out I assume.

I've got an 1889 Schmidt-Rubin and a 1911. I know the 1889 needs low power rounds, but I'm hoping this ammo is safe in the 1911, I've never shot it and I'd like to give it a try.

Any thoughts?

IMG_2890.jpg

IMG_2891.jpg

IMG_2892.jpg


Next to a round of .303 British:
IMG_2893.jpg
 
The 7.5x55 looks like the GP 1890/23 round, OK for 1911 and later but apparently made for modified pre-1911 rifles. Will probably not jive with post 1911 (GP 11) rifle sights. Runs at 37,000 psi. The GP 1890 was paper patched and 211 gr. What's happening in the neck/shoulder area of the one shown?

Your other round is the 8x50R MS for the 1895 Mannlicher and is the original ctg. for that model. The 8x56R is post 1930 and most rifles still around are modified for it. Those so modified have "S" on the chamber. I'm sure someone will ID your headstamps.
 
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Thanks eos :)

There's nothing wrong with the neck of the 7.5, the dark area is the wax.

Do you have a website with any info on the 1890/23 round? Would it be ok in my 1889?
 
The M90/23 was the last production version of ammunition for Schmidt Rubin M1889 rifles. It appears to have been made for one year only and at only one factory.
The 8x50R was converted from 8x56R for the surplus market. There were 8x50R rifles on the market in the 60s but no ammo.
 
Your 8x50R ammo was made in 1940 by Hirtenberg of Austria.
The 8x50r was the Austrian chambering of the Mann 95 rifle and Carbine.
The Hungarian versions was in 8x56r
Many 8x50 were later rechambered for the 8x56....
During WW-11 the Germans remanufactured and altered these weapons to 8x57 mauser.
Rifles were re-issued as 98(o), 306(g) (i), (j) , & the 294(j)
Carbines as 494(g), 505(g), (h), (i), (j).
John
 
TheIndifferent1 said:
Well, more like "Confirm that ammo". Didn't sound as catchy in the title though :D

I just got two boxes of old ammo from a friend. I'm not entirely sure if what's in the box is what is on the label, and I don't have any other rounds to compare them to.

First box is marked 8x50R and it is indeed a rimmed cartridge. These appear to be commercial reloads though. 8x50R is the original chambering for M95 Mannlichers, right? Some were then rechambered to 8x56R? Or do I have this backwards?

The case is berdan primed. 39.3 grains of some extruded powder. Bullet is 206.9 grain boat FMJBT

Second is a box of 7.5 Swiss. I've never seen any loaded with round nosed bullets though. This has 33.7gr of flake powder and a 189gr round nose FMJ bullet (cupro-nickel?). The cartridge has a ring of wax around the neck of the case to keep moisture out I assume.

I've got an 1889 Schmidt-Rubin and a 1911. I know the 1889 needs low power rounds, but I'm hoping this ammo is safe in the 1911, I've never shot it and I'd like to give it a try.

Any thoughts?

Your 7.5mm Swiss ammo box is very interesting. As a collector, I would love to find one. The headstamp is a true Swiss military round, made in 1924. The wax was a common making at this time, to prevent moisture going into the cartridge. If you need more info about this old 7.5mm, go to www.ch-munition.ch. In German but I think easy to browse.
Click to expand...
 
I have the exact same box of 8x50R. I was wondering about its origin.

The headstamp is Hirtenberg 1940, so "Farnsworth" was the distributor?

They are still in existence today - their name seems a bit misleading as they seem to have expanded their horizons significantly.

Farnsworth Reloading Service

2493 Vt Route 22a, Vergennes, VT 05491-9089, United States
Phone: (802) 759-2561
SIC: Sporting Goods Stores and Bicycle Shops
Line of Business: Ret Sporting Goods/Bicycles

I might call them as a lark.
 
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