Why does this ammo can say SS?

[Chris]

Why does this MG ammo can have SS painted on it?

[Eric Queen]

I have no idea, but the first thing that comes to mind is some type of ad hoc unit designation, similar to Knoche painting black bones on most of his company's equipment. Just a guess.

[andy1230_13]

Ss:Schweres Spitskugel is an abbreviation of the ammo they were using.

[Fallschirmjaeger]

So Waht Type?

So what is it then blanks or tracer etc..?

[Bill Grist]

Ammo Type

Chris, Andy is correct. This marking is the type of 7.92mm ammo that is loaded in the ammo can and being used in the MG34.. S S is the abreviation for Schweres Spitz-geschoss.. Which is a heavy pointed bullet.. The german designation was simply 7.9mm Patrone s.S... The US designation would be ball AMMO. Pictured is a MG34 or Mg42, 50 round basket/drum marked in a similar way, that I picked up in France while on vacation... The markings on the basket/drum seem to be a mixture of and BALL and TRACER ammo. I Hope this helps some... BILL

[Bill Grist]

2

[Chris]

Mystery solved. Gotta' love the knowledge on this forum.

[boyouLaGleize.]

I had one camo box for MG34-42 with the same marking,I 'm happy to know it sigification,thanks.

[John Hodgin]

Older members that grew up shooting 98ks like Bill and I did, (got my first 98k when I was in the third grade!) went through tons of this Patrone s.S ammo. I now wish I had it all back.

[Willi Z.]

Bill's drum shows that it was loaded with both sS ball and SmK'L (armor piercing tracer). I know Bill and others know this, just adding that point for the others who may not.

The sS round was phased out by the end of the war due to lead shortages. It was replaced by SmE (Spitze mit Eisen), which meant the core was steel.

The sS round has a green primer rim, while the SmE has a blue one.

I too have fired many, many sS rounds over the years. I was 8 when I fired my first 98k. John, how do you define "older members?" My dad still has alot of this stuff, come on by and we will hit the range.

[Maus]

John, I also shot a lot of original German K98 ammo 20 years ago ( not only 308 caliber in the basement. ) .today i regret not having that ammo which was in its original boxes. any more.

[John Hodgin]

Willi, your dad and Bill are older members.

I would really like to go shooting with you sometime! I'll bring some toys, and if Bill can join us we will need very large quanitites of ammo.
If there is anyway your father is up to joining us, I'd be honored.

I'll add a few photos to this thread tonight.
John

[John Hodgin]

Box label. Sorry for the poor photo, was taken with my little "point and shoot."

[John Hodgin]

The sS round has a green primer rim, while the SmE has a blue one.

And here is what the green primer looks like.

[John Hodgin]

And the round.