9mm Headstamp

Mauser720 · 05-30-2008, 11:07 PM

This is a picture of a 9mm Luger cartridge headstamp taken with a digital microscope. The letters are "dnh"; "St+"; "43"; and "6". I assume the "43" is for the year 1943. Does anyone know what these other codes represent?

Thank you.

Mauser720 - Ron

Ron C. · 05-31-2008, 06:31 AM

You are correct that 43 is the date. The "dnh" is the maker code and the others are the lot number and the case metal code. You may find this interesting:

http://www.eartist.nl/munitions.htm

Regards,
Ron

dhusker · 05-31-2008, 11:12 AM

St+ is for steel case.

Quote:

Originally posted by Mauser720
This is a picture of a 9mm Luger cartridge headstamp taken with a digital microscope. The letters are "dnh"; "St+"; "43"; and "6". I assume the "43" is for the year 1943. Does anyone know what these other codes represent?

Thank you.

Mauser720 - Ron

wlyon · 05-31-2008, 04:23 PM

dnh---Rheinisch-Westfalische Spengstoff AG, Durlac bei Karlsruhe. SAA
The SAA means they produced small arms ammunition and components. Bill.

Vlim · 05-31-2008, 04:49 PM

Ron,

You got some good answers here.
Produced by RWS, case made of (laquered) steel (St) of the improved design (+), lot number 6 in 1943.

What's the color of the bullet itself?
You can find them in 'sintered iron' (SE) shape, dull grey with a black band around the case rim on the bullet, or in 'mit Eisenkern' (mE) iron core versions with completely blackened bullet.

Mauser720 · 05-31-2008, 09:11 PM

G. van Vlimmeren -

Yes, I appreciate all this good information.

These are the dull gray bullet, with the black band around the case rim on the bullet.

These came with a 1912 Erfurt, and I suspected they were not correct for that period. All the paper on their cardboard box had been torn off.

Mauser720 - Ron

Vlim · 06-01-2008, 06:36 AM

Hi Ron,

That's the SE 'Sintereisen' version, allright.

'mit Eisenkern' on the right, 'Sintereisen' on the left.

The correct bullets for a 1912 Erfurt would be of the truncated cone design, nickle plated, brass case.

Shown is a 1917 package and two 1917 variations of the P08 9mm round (the switch from truncated cone to ogival was made around 1917). Both rounds shown date from 1917.

Note the canvas pull strap on the box, this is a feature of the earlier packages. In WW2 they switched to cardboard boxes with different lid. The older boxes also have metal reinforcements on the sides.

Vlim · 06-01-2008, 07:13 AM

A bit of a lousy photo, this, but it shows the SE bullet with the corresponding box.

This is a bit better, general lacquered steel case WW2 ammunition with box, with iron core (mE) bullet.

Lugerdoc · 06-01-2008, 12:54 PM

I wouldn't recommend shooting any of this ammo in any pistol that you value the bore. That sintered steel will rub out and lands quite quickly. TH

Vlim · 06-01-2008, 01:08 PM

Apart from Tom's good advice, even the German army didn't encourage the use of laquered steel cases in the P08. Jams like crazy and fouls up everything.

No wonder the DDR had to replace that many barrels after WW2.

John Sabato · 06-02-2008, 10:56 AM

This is definitely corrosive primed ammo... You have to scrub with hot soap and water and preferably Army Bore Cleaner if you shoot any of it... shooting is not recommended for lots of reasons.

05-30-2008, 11:07 PM	#1
Mauser720 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 535 Thanks: 18 Thanked 49 Times in 33 Posts	9mm Headstamp This is a picture of a 9mm Luger cartridge headstamp taken with a digital microscope. The letters are "dnh"; "St+"; "43"; and "6". I assume the "43" is for the year 1943. Does anyone know what these other codes represent? Thank you. Mauser720 - Ron Attached Images

05-31-2008, 06:31 AM	#2
Ron C. User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 44 Thanks: 6 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	You are correct that 43 is the date. The "dnh" is the maker code and the others are the lot number and the case metal code. You may find this interesting: http://www.eartist.nl/munitions.htm Regards, Ron __________________ Co-author of "The P.38 Pistol - Spreewerk Production" http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=21504

05-31-2008, 04:23 PM	#4
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,619 Thanks: 3,144 Thanked 2,530 Times in 943 Posts	dnh---Rheinisch-Westfalische Spengstoff AG, Durlac bei Karlsruhe. SAA The SAA means they produced small arms ammunition and components. Bill. __________________ Bill Lyon

05-31-2008, 09:11 PM	#6
Mauser720 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 535 Thanks: 18 Thanked 49 Times in 33 Posts	G. van Vlimmeren - Yes, I appreciate all this good information. These are the dull gray bullet, with the black band around the case rim on the bullet. These came with a 1912 Erfurt, and I suspected they were not correct for that period. All the paper on their cardboard box had been torn off. Mauser720 - Ron __________________ Mauser720 - Ron "Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it."

06-01-2008, 12:54 PM	#9
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	I wouldn't recommend shooting any of this ammo in any pistol that you value the bore. That sintered steel will rub out and lands quite quickly. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

05-31-2008, 04:49 PM	#5
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,042 Thanks: 1,032 Thanked 3,920 Times in 1,193 Posts	Ron, You got some good answers here. Produced by RWS, case made of (laquered) steel (St) of the improved design (+), lot number 6 in 1943. What's the color of the bullet itself? You can find them in 'sintered iron' (SE) shape, dull grey with a black band around the case rim on the bullet, or in 'mit Eisenkern' (mE) iron core versions with completely blackened bullet.

06-01-2008, 06:36 AM	#7
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,042 Thanks: 1,032 Thanked 3,920 Times in 1,193 Posts	Hi Ron, That's the SE 'Sintereisen' version, allright. 'mit Eisenkern' on the right, 'Sintereisen' on the left. The correct bullets for a 1912 Erfurt would be of the truncated cone design, nickle plated, brass case. Shown is a 1917 package and two 1917 variations of the P08 9mm round (the switch from truncated cone to ogival was made around 1917). Both rounds shown date from 1917. Note the canvas pull strap on the box, this is a feature of the earlier packages. In WW2 they switched to cardboard boxes with different lid. The older boxes also have metal reinforcements on the sides.

06-01-2008, 07:13 AM	#8
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,042 Thanks: 1,032 Thanked 3,920 Times in 1,193 Posts	A bit of a lousy photo, this, but it shows the SE bullet with the corresponding box. This is a bit better, general lacquered steel case WW2 ammunition with box, with iron core (mE) bullet.

06-01-2008, 01:08 PM	#10
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,042 Thanks: 1,032 Thanked 3,920 Times in 1,193 Posts	Apart from Tom's good advice, even the German army didn't encourage the use of laquered steel cases in the P08. Jams like crazy and fouls up everything. No wonder the DDR had to replace that many barrels after WW2.

06-02-2008, 10:56 AM	#11
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	This is definitely corrosive primed ammo... You have to scrub with hot soap and water and preferably Army Bore Cleaner if you shoot any of it... shooting is not recommended for lots of reasons. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*