1946-era Luger Cartridge Descriptions
 

I stumbled on these while browsing the 1946 edition (4th printing 1953) of the NRA Book Of Small Arms, Volume 1, Pistols and Revolvers. I don't present it as the definitive description of these cartridges but as what shooters/reloaders had as reference material in those times. :rolleyes:

There are many other cartridges shown; I posted these because they are the Luger cartridges. :thumbup:

Dimensions may not agree with other published (or believed) descriptions, but it's what the NRA writers observed prior and during 1946. :evilgrin:

Looks to be talking about a 9mm major load for subgun use if it's 125gr as advertised at 1500fps. 1150 is NATO spec; if not quicker.

... ??? ...That's what it says; 1150fps... :confused:

At the bottom toward the end of the paragraph they refer to the sub-gun loads as high as 1,500fps...

BTW - I just ordered a copy of the book via Amazon/Ebay sources. It looks like an interesting documentation of history at that time!

Thanks for the references...

Hi,

Again, these are not original German source materials, and thus, are suspect.

I'd like to see any 9mm Parabellum round loaded to 1,500 fps?!?!? This is surely a myth.

Most of the early post-war materials I have read on the Luger are misinformation.

Stick with the original German factory or military specs. for the truth.

Please also note that the two subject cartridges in the photo are Western Cartridge Company loadings, not original German ones.

Just some thoughts.


Sieger

There is a thorough discussion from German sources of the 9mm ammunition and it's development in the Red (also DVD) Sturgess "The Borschardt and Luger Automatic Pistol" in chapter 20 starting at page 1483.

It includes a page from DWM's loading specifications book for case 480, 480A and 480B (The 9mm) and a variety of bullet shapes.

There is also Luger's original 1913 government dimensional drawing of the 9mm chamber for the Luger and the 1904 German trials cartridge (480C case with 278F truncated cone bullet.

It also includes an overview of commercial ammo from the period, and the development of military loads, including the DWM loading guide for the 9mm from 1913, through post WW-I production and on through WW-II production and special loadings.

I doubt there is better retelling of the cartridge story with original documentation.

If you don't have the DVD of the Sturgess book (available from Simpson Ltd), and you're interested in Lugers, you need to get it.

Marc