please review german ammo

[Von Hoth]

I've been looking for some pre war or war time 7.65mm or 32 cal. german ammo to display with my walther pp and ppk's.

at a gun show in melbourne, I only found single cartridges, no boxes. Being a complete Newbie to old ammo, (I know nothing about it) can anyone tell me who made these and what were they probably made for?

there are two different kinds mixed in the 9 I bought.


one variety has a nickel colored bullet with large stampings on the bottom that say DWM, the letter "K" on each side, and the number "479 A" on the bottom. Does this mean the ammo was loaded for the DWM 7.65 pistol only? Did ammo for the PPK, PP, or 38h have it's own maker marked ammo too then?

the other variety is of a copper colored bullet and has smaller letters "DWM", the letter "B" instead of "K" on each side, and same number "479 A" on bottom.

what is the red die colored stuff around the jacket and primer for?

thankyou for any comments.


Shot with Canon PowerShot A410 at 2007-07-14

Shot with Canon PowerShot A410 at 2007-07-14

Shot with Canon PowerShot A410 at 2007-07-14

Shot with Canon PowerShot A410 at 2007-07-14

[Bill Grist]

Nice pre war DWM shells and some steel cased stuff as well, all pre 1945... The red is a sealer.... BILL

[Von Hoth]

thanks for reply, I just saw a picture of a DMV 7.65 pistol that Blue posted and he has the same ammo, but a full box of course. So DMV made ammo for a lot of guns? not just their guns like the luger?


is this private purchase ammo or army contract, etc.?

[Felix]

I say the ammo with the tombak cases and bright bullets are pre war most likely for the civilian market. Atlest this type of ammo comes in civilian boxes (void of military markings). I have one box left and have had a few more. Similar are manufactured by RWS etc. The steel cased ones are war time production, civilian or for the military.
DWM stands for Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, who after WW1 mainly manufactured Ammo.
The 7,65 ammo is made for any handgun in that caliber, likely a Walther or HSC, Browning etc.

The red paint is a seal, as said before, to stop moisture from going into the ammo.

Felix