8mm Surplus

[Bruce McAskill]

A lot of WW2 Germany made ammo came into the states in the 50's and 60's. Almost all of it steel case and some of it had begun to show corrosion on it. By today I would not be surprised if most of the steel cased ammo is gone one way or another. The turn around time on it was short as it was shipped out to the front almost as fast as they could make it so the cases were not really well protected against corrosion. The German machine guns were eating up a lot of it on the eastern front. I do not think all that much was captured by the Russians as they would pick up the rifles after a battle but the ammo in general was just left on the battlefield.

[bearhunter]

Who knows buffdog, the Soviets never ever, threw anything that still worked, away. The present regime, seems to be following suit. They still must have weapons, from all over the world, hidden away. Lots of lend lease stuff from WWII and earlier, went there. Don't forget the arms of Axis countries, beside the Germans, that brought their own arms. Think of the 95 Winchesters and the Berdan rifles as well. I watched a movie the other night, about an old native guide, and a rich man from Moscow. Obviously supposed to take place, before the Communist take over. The rifles they used , were an as new Berdan II (native) and a well worn 95 Winchester. I would love to tour their facilities.

I'll bet, they could get thousands of tourists to come visit, just to take the tours.

[TDH]

When we would ship Sherman tanks to the Russians during the war they came complete with Thompsons in the small arms racks inside. The Russians didn't like them and did not have the approp[riate ammo for them anyway so they were pulled out and stored. A lot tof the parts kits you see on the market came from those Thompsons minus the receiver and barrel of course

[smellie]

As mentioned previously, if you add up the figures for rifles during War One and War Two, plus what they stole in the Baltic States, they have roughly two-thirds of total Mark III Ross production.

Ross-based target rifles are supposed to be used in many clubs, as well as in international competitions. When they build a Ross into a target rifle, all they use is the action. WHERE are all those wonderful SPARE PARTS going?

Somebody really ought to have a talk with Putin or somebody else who understands dollars.

Be really nice to see a few thousand come home.
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Just after I got out of school, worked a couple of years with a fellow who was in the Waffen-SS. Odd sort of duck, joined the Party on his 21st birthday (1928) when it was still illegal in half of Germany. He was drafted in 1938 because he had been away at sea on the Hamburg-Amerika ships, went through Poland and France as a cook, discharged in 1940, joined up in the Waffen-SS despite his age because he knew they were going to have a crack at Russia. Surrendered in Berlin, got home again in 1947. He mentioned that some of the rifles he saw as they were going into Russia were really old single-shots with huge bores I thought immediately "Berdan II?" and kept my mouth shut, just wished he had brought a few home! He said that the only person in the world who he hated was Marshal Zhukov. I asked why and he said, "Because he WASTED his men!"
Hunter's Lodge sold a few Berdan II rifles back in the late 1950s/early 1960s but I have never seen one, although I do have a cartridge.

[bearhunter]

I have a Berdan II. It was refinished, when I bought it but thankfully it was left in full military configuration. The bore is excellent and with paper patched, cast, pure lead bullets, it is surprisingly accurate. Mine is Russian built and has the crest of Imperial Russia on the receiver. Pm me with your email address and I'll send you some pics.

[lee sherman]

A local gun shop sells 8 MM russian manufacture. Headstamp is 1953. Corrosive, berdan, FMJ. Rather cheap, shoots ok, no issues that I have encountered.

[lee sherman]

Here's what I know about the ammo situation. There is a gun shop in my neighborhood that sells Russian 8 MM ammo. 15 rounds for $7.00 bucks or so. It shoots just fine thru my Yugo 24/47 rifle. Headstamp reads 11- 54, with two stars 180 degrees apart. Brass case, FMJ, probably berdan, corrosive ammo but I don't care. It is relativily cheap and plentiful around here. I just clean it up real good the same day I shoot. It will still be around long after we have all gone to the free range!! Paying a buck or more a hit is just stupid for target shooting.

[Mk VII]

* 11 * 55 stuff, probably Yugoslavian, with splits in the base - two in fifty rounds.

[avroe]

John from Marstar mentioned somewhere on CGN that they would be bringing in some Yugo 8mm surplus this summer.

did this ever happen?

---------- Post added at 06:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:43 PM ----------

If the Russians ever let loose some of the 8x57mm surplus ammo, do you think there might be a chance to get some of our Ross rifles back too?

How many ross rifles would it be safe to estimate they probably have in storage?

Surprised these haven't leaked out at least in small amounts.

[Stevo]

No, the Marstar 8mm did not materialize.