Battle of Britain Dornier 7.92 bullet markings
 

Hi all,
I wonder if anyone on the forum can explain the markings on a 7.92 round that I have recently come across.
Both are dated 1939 and have the following other markings:
S* P120 then either a 6 or an 8
S* p154 then a 3
I have attached a photograph to aid identification.
Many thanks in advance for any assistance you can offer.
Gerry

Re: Battle of Britain Dornier 7.92 bullet markings
 

Hi Gerry


I can't help but you need to take better care of your cuticles!

Cheers
Brian

Re: Battle of Britain Dornier 7.92 bullet markings
 

Cheers Brian,
All noted - I took the nail varnish off for that picture as well!
Gerry

Re: Battle of Britain Dornier 7.92 bullet markings
 

Hi Gerry,

I have both P154 and P120 in my small collection, but not fully aware of each type.

I think the P154, which has a silver tip (1cm of), may be explosive type.
P120 I think is regular clad lead shot.

Will look around, but it is not my area of expertise.

Cheers!

Re: Battle of Britain Dornier 7.92 bullet markings
 

Cheers flying pencil,
That's a great response to my query.
Thanks for taking the time and effort to assist me.
All the best
Gerry

Re: Battle of Britain Dornier 7.92 bullet markings
 

On second thought, the P# may just be a mfg. I have a short belt, all have the same P (P163) but the tips vary.

Re: Battle of Britain Dornier 7.92 bullet markings
 

Hi
For German's ammos in 7.9
s* is for brass case
St+ is for steel case
P25/163 etc ...is code for the fabrik .

P154 = Polte Werke, werk grunberg
s* = brass case
3 = March
39 = 1939


P120 = Dynamit AG Hannover Empelde
s* = brass case
6 = June
38= 1938

Types of ammos are see by the color of the ring toward primer ...
and colors on the bullet

Green ring = ordinary heavy ball
Bleu ring = light armour piercing
Red ring = Armour piercing
Black ring is for Incendiary (warning phosphor)
and explosives too ( warning !!!)

Black tip on bullet is fot Tracer ammos, black bottom bullet for Explosives
Green band in middle bullet is for verbessert ammos, especially for MG 17 .

Silver tip is the first type of explosive !

Bsrg, Dan

http://i54.tinypic.com/rhs7m8.jpg

Re: Battle of Britain Dornier 7.92 bullet markings
 

Hi Dan,
Thanks for that very detailed response - much appreciated.
I am a little disappointed though as it seems I will have to get rid of the bullets for safety reasons as I am unable to determine exactly what type they are as the ends marked with the colours are no longer attached.
I will try and find somewhere that can make it safe first though.
Many thanks once again for the time and effort to provide such a detailed reply.
Gerry

Re: Battle of Britain Dornier 7.92 bullet markings
 

Put them in a metal pan with water.
The water will absorb in an unlikely explosion.
The amount of propellant in the cartridge is not a great cause for alarm.

And the tips of your ammo are gone by look.

I will ask an ammo collector friend for advice...

Re: Battle of Britain Dornier 7.92 bullet markings
 

Excellent information, Dan!
Thanks!

Who is P163?

You said:
"Silver tip is the first type of explosive !"
What explosive? phosphor?

I was told the silver tip is explosive, but not what kind.

How do you store your ammo?

Thank you