unusual 7,62x39 cartridge

I have a small collection of 7,62x39mm cartridges plus some Czech 7,62x45mm. Awhile back, I noticed that my Czech 7,62x45 had the same head stamp as my Czech 7,62x39 which was bxn 54, both cases are steel. What is odd is that the Czech production of 7,62x39 did not start until 1957 when they changed the caliber of their Vz 52 to use the Soviet cartridge (Vz 52/57)

Doing some research indicated that Soviet 7,62x39 was quite difficult to find in the USA during the mid to late 1960's, some small amounts did come from Finland. US cartridge companies were not manufacturing it. A large company bought a very large amount of 7,62x45 mm and converted it to the Soviet 7,62x39mm cartridge (also converted was 6,5 Italian) for resale to both the military and civilian markets. I doubt there is much around nowAttachment 109951Attachment 109950

I remember a bundle, wrapped, of about 150 rounds for sale at a gun show in 1982. $150 in 1982 money. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and the Maadi AKM had just been announced.

Still fairly common in the ammo collector world.

That conversion must have been expensive. Break down, cut off, resize steel cases, reload, etc.

It was worth the trouble as I heard that hundreds of thousands rounds were converted, this also includes some 6,5 Italian too.

Back in 60's locals sometimes used 6,5 M/S brass to forum 7,62x39 but certain brands require a reduction in diameter at the head.

There was for a short time a wildcat 22 cal necked down 7,62x45 case

I have fired both the Vz 52 and Vz 52/57 rifles and these are really nice rifles to shoot