The infamous 'CIA' Canadian 8mm round.

[Anzac15]

Picked up a huge amount of surplus 8mm over the weekend, and as I was checking out the headstamps, I noticed they were all a bit, well, odd. All rounds are marked '7.92 MM 44'. Soo, as I am wont to do in these cases, I researched it. Turns out that these are Canadian, Boxer primed, and non corrosive (gotta love that) Apparently they were made for use in the British BESA tank gun. And APPARENTLY they were also made for the CIA intended for use in the Bay of Pigs operation. Now, I've heard some whoppers in my time, but this beats 'em all. The 44 date was supposedly put there to throw the Cubans off regarding the time and place of origin. Anyone else heard this story? I mean, this beats the pants off the old 'This Luger was taken off a dead high ranking SS officer' yarn any day of the week. Anyway, if nothing else, it's supposed to be pretty collectable. It sure as heck shoots good. And there's lots more where this came from. Might just have to go back for the rest!

Information

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[RobSmith]

I'd take the latter part of the story with a serious grain of salt ...

[jonnyc]

True story on the "MM" rounds, but they were actually produced in the mid-1950s, not for the BOP. Same thing also exist in 9mmP.

[browningautorifle]

If Warren would please read this and respond, he will have the correct answer. He's been dealing with this sort of ammo for sure for years.

[m4a3sherman]

I have a couple of these rounds floating around in my collection- They were mixed in with some 30.06 I picked up and the I didn't notice til I had gotten home with it. I had always been told it was contracted out by some company for the British 8mm coax guns found on various tanks. (Which I had always found strange since England seemed quite happy with .303 for just about everything...) I haven't shot any of mine in the hopes that one day it will be worth a little bit.

[OLDER THEN DIRT]

Picked up a huge amount of surplus 8mm over the weekend, and as I was checking out the headstamps, I noticed they were all a bit, well, odd. All rounds are marked '7.92 MM 44'. Soo, as I am wont to do in these cases, I researched it. Turns out that these are Canadian, Boxer primed, and non corrosive (gotta love that) Apparently they were made for use in the British BESA tank gun. And APPARENTLY they were also made for the CIA intended for use in the Bay of Pigs operation. Now, I've heard some whoppers in my time, but this beats 'em all. The 44 date was supposedly put there to throw the Cubans off regarding the time and place of origin. Anyone else heard this story? I mean, this beats the pants off the old 'This Luger was taken off a dead high ranking SS officer' yarn any day of the week. Anyway, if nothing else, it's supposed to be pretty collectable. It sure as heck shoots good. And there's lots more where this came from. Might just have to go back for the rest!

I have & shoot an 8mm. Were can I get some of this ammo? Thanks.

[Sarge]

Sounds like a bunch of B.S. to me! The Canadians loaded 8mm for the Chinese Nationalists durring WW 2 for use in the K98k Mausers they bought from Germany in the late 30s AND MK I Bren guns - in 8mm - built for them by Canada durring the war.
There are several different dates found on this ammo - 42, 43. 44 & 45, if I remember right. I know I've got more than 1 year in my collection.
Sarge

[jonnyc]

Sorry you feel that way Sarge, but it is true. It has long been a point of discussion and research in cartridge collector circles.

[browningautorifle]

Sarge is closer to correct than you think Jonny. We didn't load anything for the CIA. The chinese nationals, yes.

[Lee Enfield]

The clandestine 8mm and 9mm were products of Canada which were supplied to the US Gov't.

I understand that the "9 MM 4x" headstamped ammo was the standard US Gov't issued 9mm until the adoption of the Beretta M9 pistol.

International Ammunition Association {iaaforum.org} - View topic - Canadian 7.9 addendum

International Ammunition Association {iaaforum.org} - View topic - Canadian 7.92MM and 9MM Hdstmps.

International Ammunition Association {iaaforum.org} - View topic - 7.92x57 refresher