Unopened and opened pre-war DWM ammo

Mutts · 08-03-2019, 10:10 PM

Gift from a friend. Thought to share.
I always wonder how it never got used?

HerrKaiser · 08-03-2019, 10:46 PM

Ideas. 1. In the United States pre-WW1 (and sometimes up until WW2) it was not uncommon for German to be spoken as a primary language in whole towns/regions the USA, particularly in the Midwest. A German immigrant may have moved to one of these communities with family with the ammo or ordered it there. 2. (And far more likely) it was taken as a war trophy or “liberated” from a German private residence in WW2

Edward Tinker · 08-03-2019, 11:04 PM

also, after the war, millions of rounds came to america - these are usually the late war ammo, but I have picked up cases a few times (not a complete case, except for some machinegun ammo, where I bought a complete case).

I have a box of DWM 1939 - which I thought was cool

I pick up older ammo whenever I can

Mutts · 08-03-2019, 11:15 PM

Love to try shooting some but nope nope nope. LOL

Zorba · 08-04-2019, 02:45 PM

Choot 'em!

Vlim · 08-04-2019, 05:06 PM

If you are willing to be dumb enough to shoot them, pull a few bullets and inspect the case and powder first.

You may be surprised at what damage you can find inside.
The acidity of old powder can do a lot of damage.

I would not risk it as it's pointless anyway.

Mutts · 08-04-2019, 05:37 PM

Given that, even if they fire, I suspect the experience would not be the same as when they
were new if the powder has deteriorated. I'm content to keep them in the box.
They sure put a lot of info on the box!

Edward Tinker · 08-04-2019, 08:31 PM

Here are some of mine

1942 full box (it split, so I split them up)
1939 army
East German ammo (1961)

I made friends with a guy who would dissect them and preserve them - they are glue and the original power, and its inert.

Mutts · 08-04-2019, 10:46 PM

Those cutaway rounds are pretty cool! Thanks for sharing.

08-03-2019, 10:10 PM	#1
Mutts User Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 13 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Unopened and opened pre-war DWM ammo Gift from a friend. Thought to share. I always wonder how it never got used?

08-03-2019, 10:46 PM	#2
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 812 Thanks: 762 Thanked 811 Times in 385 Posts	Ideas. 1. In the United States pre-WW1 (and sometimes up until WW2) it was not uncommon for German to be spoken as a primary language in whole towns/regions the USA, particularly in the Midwest. A German immigrant may have moved to one of these communities with family with the ammo or ordered it there. 2. (And far more likely) it was taken as a war trophy or “liberated” from a German private residence in WW2 __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

08-04-2019, 08:31 PM	#8
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,995 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	Here are some of mine 1942 full box (it split, so I split them up) 1939 army East German ammo (1961) I made friends with a guy who would dissect them and preserve them - they are glue and the original power, and its inert. Attached Thumbnails

08-03-2019, 11:04 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,995 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	also, after the war, millions of rounds came to america - these are usually the late war ammo, but I have picked up cases a few times (not a complete case, except for some machinegun ammo, where I bought a complete case). I have a box of DWM 1939 - which I thought was cool I pick up older ammo whenever I can

08-03-2019, 11:15 PM	#4
Mutts User Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 13 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Love to try shooting some but nope nope nope. LOL

08-04-2019, 02:45 PM	#5
Zorba User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Merritt Island, Fl Posts: 951 Thanks: 776 Thanked 526 Times in 289 Posts	Choot 'em!

08-04-2019, 05:06 PM	#6
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,049 Thanks: 1,035 Thanked 3,957 Times in 1,200 Posts	If you are willing to be dumb enough to shoot them, pull a few bullets and inspect the case and powder first. You may be surprised at what damage you can find inside. The acidity of old powder can do a lot of damage. I would not risk it as it's pointless anyway.

08-04-2019, 05:37 PM	#7
Mutts User Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 13 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Given that, even if they fire, I suspect the experience would not be the same as when they were new if the powder has deteriorated. I'm content to keep them in the box. They sure put a lot of info on the box!

08-04-2019, 10:46 PM	#9
Mutts User Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 13 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Those cutaway rounds are pretty cool! Thanks for sharing.