Hidden Treasure

sdmark777 · 01-28-2023, 01:19 PM

I was just digging through a bunch of ammo cans I have, looking for some .308 rounds to sight in a new scope. I ran across one .50 cal ammo can and inside was an assortment of different ammunition. It included 20 rounds of US 1918 USCCO 30-06; 5 round stripper clip of US 30-06 FA 1928; 5 rounds of US .50 BMG 1933; about 60 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm 1965 brought back from Vietnam War; box of 60 rounds of 7.5 Swiss; 2 boxes of 8 x56R M30 1938 German (for Steyr Mannlicher M1895 rifle); one box of 9mm Steyr M12 1934 Austrian; one box of German 8mm Mauser 1940 and one box of German 9mm Luger dated 1944 with ordnance code "dnh" indicating manufacture by Rheinische-Westfalische Sprengstoff AG, Durlach plant, Baden, Germany. I remembered having acquired these different groupings once I saw them again. But I have forgotten the when, where and how much I paid for most of them. Some of it was given to me, some came from gun shows.

So it was a neat little hidden treasure I ran across that I already had. I was especially happy to find the box of wartime German 8mm Mauser and 9mm Luger. I think I might have one or two more boxes of 9mm Luger in another ammo can, but that will have to wait for some future hunt.

sdmark777 · 01-28-2023, 01:21 PM

8mm Mauser and 9mm Luger

Kiwi · 01-28-2023, 02:16 PM

Do they still work?

Schrödinger's cat

The only way to be sure will result in not having them anymore

Just kidding, ammo found in the New Guinea jungle and subject to tropical rainfall since the war still works.

sdmark777 · 01-28-2023, 03:06 PM

Well Kiwi,
I could shoot all of them, except the M30 8mm and the M12 9mm. I will need to pick up a Steyr Mannlicher M1895 rifle and 9mm Steyr M12 handgun first.

nah, I'd much rather pick up a nice P08 instead.

pmanton · 01-29-2023, 04:30 PM

Some years back I had a M1895 rifle and some of the 1938 ammo with the German eagle.
I can tell you that that thing kicked like a mule! If I tried it now in my mid 80's I'd probably bust my shoulder. :-)

Eugen · 02-01-2023, 05:35 AM

What a surprising and wonderful discovery. Thanks for sharing the photos.

Edward Tinker · 02-01-2023, 05:23 PM

fun to re-find something. The dnh ammo must have had tons of it still after the war.
I have a box of the 9mm steyr somewhere, just liked the eagle

02-01-2023, 05:35 AM	#6
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 797 Thanks: 403 Thanked 640 Times in 339 Posts	What a surprising and wonderful discovery. Thanks for sharing the photos. __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

02-01-2023, 05:23 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,609 Times in 2,123 Posts	fun to re-find something. The dnh ammo must have had tons of it still after the war. I have a box of the 9mm steyr somewhere, just liked the eagle __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

01-28-2023, 02:16 PM	#3
Kiwi User Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Wrong side of the Delaware river Posts: 336 Thanks: 237 Thanked 478 Times in 189 Posts	Do they still work? Schrödinger's cat The only way to be sure will result in not having them anymore Just kidding, ammo found in the New Guinea jungle and subject to tropical rainfall since the war still works.

01-28-2023, 03:06 PM	#4
sdmark777 User Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 301 Thanks: 721 Thanked 705 Times in 186 Posts	Well Kiwi, I could shoot all of them, except the M30 8mm and the M12 9mm. I will need to pick up a Steyr Mannlicher M1895 rifle and 9mm Steyr M12 handgun first. nah, I'd much rather pick up a nice P08 instead.

01-29-2023, 04:30 PM	#5
pmanton User Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Indian Hills Airpark Salome, AZ Posts: 25 Thanks: 74 Thanked 35 Times in 12 Posts	Some years back I had a M1895 rifle and some of the 1938 ammo with the German eagle. I can tell you that that thing kicked like a mule! If I tried it now in my mid 80's I'd probably bust my shoulder. :-)