Truncated cone bullets

Doubs · 12-20-2020, 01:14 PM

Vlim is correct although the change to a round nose ball cartridge came in 1916. The War Ministry directive was dated 22 March, 1916, and all existing stocks of TC cartridges were to be used in practice; i.e., training. Changeover, of course, took time but it should have been completed before 1917.

The Allies claimed that the TC bullets violated the 1899 Hague Convention that forbid the use of ammunition designed to cause unnecessary damage and suffering. It was propaganda but Germany decided to make the change for - as Vlim says - political reasons. G&S has a section on the changeover.

Interestingly, the United States has never signed the Hague Conventions part restricting the kinds of cartridges it uses. However, the U.S. has pretty well complied... until recently. Along with the adoption of their new Sig 9mm pistol, they have adopted the M1152 cartridge that uses a truncated cone bullet much like the original German Army Luger cartridge. What's old is now new again.

12-20-2020, 01:14 PM	#5
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,742 Thanks: 826 Thanked 1,788 Times in 590 Posts	Vlim is correct although the change to a round nose ball cartridge came in 1916. The War Ministry directive was dated 22 March, 1916, and all existing stocks of TC cartridges were to be used in practice; i.e., training. Changeover, of course, took time but it should have been completed before 1917. The Allies claimed that the TC bullets violated the 1899 Hague Convention that forbid the use of ammunition designed to cause unnecessary damage and suffering. It was propaganda but Germany decided to make the change for - as Vlim says - political reasons. G&S has a section on the changeover. Interestingly, the United States has never signed the Hague Conventions part restricting the kinds of cartridges it uses. However, the U.S. has pretty well complied... until recently. Along with the adoption of their new Sig 9mm pistol, they have adopted the M1152 cartridge that uses a truncated cone bullet much like the original German Army Luger cartridge. What's old is now new again.