+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: Making Dreyse M55 Ammunition

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member bombdoc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Last On
    03-14-2024 @ 05:12 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    170
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:40 PM

    Making Dreyse M55 Ammunition

    As you may have noticed from the Restoration threads, I have just restocked a Dreyse M62, and need to manufacture ammunition for it...

    There are a number of options..

    1. The original M41 round used a spherical bullet sat on top of a paper wad which held the primer.
    2. The M47 round used an acorn shaped bullet, again .62.
    3. The M55 round used a smaller egg shaped bullet

    Both the M41 and M47 projectiles were bore size and engraved on the rifling. The M55 was a true sabot round and the bullet did not touch the barrel, all the obturation and rotation being provided by the sabot.

    It is possible to replicate the M41 round using a 20 bore ball and fibre shotgun wad instead of the sabot, gluing a top hat percussion cap to the base for ignition..

    I decided however to buy an M55 bullet mould from Hensel in Germanyicon and try to replicate the M55! I also need to reference here the excellent book by Leonard and Guy A-R-West whose meticulous research enabled me to develop the following..

    Hensel GmbH Waldfischbach-Burgalben

    The Dreyse, an illustrated history researched, written drawn by Guy Leonard A-R-WEST FHBSA available from Woodfield Publishing Ltd

    Attachment 108096

    The key element of the Dreyse Cartridge is the Sabot, or "Spiegel" in German. This is made from a strip of thick paper wound into a cylinder and pressed into a die.. The paper is wedge shaped and creates the cup for the bullet to sit in..

    Attachment 108095

    The small spindle is held in a hand drill and is used to wrap the strip into a coil, the brass disk is used to pull the formed coil off the split spindle. I use a wipe of stick adhesive down the paper to hold it as it rolls.

    The coil is now put into the hex forming die and pressed between the two punches in a reloading press. The top punch forms the cavity for the base of the bullet, and the bottom punch forms the cavity for the primer.

    Attachment 108094

    The formed sabot needs to be slit in four places to allow the bullet to separate in flight. This is done by putting the sabot into a die mould and cutting the slots with a fine saw.

    Attachment 108093

    The only element of the ammunition that is not practical to reproduce is the primer. Originally this was filled directly into the sabot in liquid form and allowed to set. I do not fancy brewing up batches of mercury fulminate, so we need another solution. Leonard & Guy propose a solution using conventional top hat musket caps, but cutting them off to 2mm forming what looks like a thin Berdan cap (apparently real Berdan caps are too thick and damage the needle!). Plastic toy caps can also be used, however most of them contain chlorates and will rust your barrel!

    I went down the L & G route and made a jig to trim top hat caps in my lathe.. I do however wear a face shield and wear TIG gloves when I make them.. so far so good!

    Attachment 108091

    The final element is the paper cartridge tube which I make from a simple paper tube with a cup base glued in. The cup is simply made by pressing a paper disk into a die with the mandrel.

    Attachment 108092

    Finally the cartridge is assembled by dumping 75gn of FFF powder into the paper case using a drop tube. The primer is pressed into the base of the sabot facing back towards the breech and then inserted into the tube over the powder. The bullet is dropped in to its cavity and the top of the tube pinched closed and tied with thread. The head of the complete cartridge is then dipped in molten lube. I use 50:50 beeswax and olive oil...

    Attachment 108090

    I hope this is of interest?

    I can strongly recommend Leonard & Guy's book on the Dreyse, which gives all the relevant dimensions, although they (..or their CAD system) have chosen to give these in mm. I would just check and use the closest nominal imperial measurement!
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.
    Last edited by bombdoc; 05-15-2020 at 05:48 PM.

  2. Thank You to bombdoc For This Useful Post:


  3. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  4. #2
    Legacy Member Daan Kemp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last On
    Today @ 06:54 AM
    Location
    Centurion RSA
    Age
    73
    Posts
    1,392
    Real Name
    Daan Kemp
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:40 PM
    Again, just awesome!

  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Dreyse Restoration
    By bombdoc in forum The Restorer's Corner
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 05-20-2020, 04:41 PM
  2. Dreyse 1907
    By Anzac15 in forum Other Military Service Pistols and Revolvers
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 12-15-2018, 12:16 PM
  3. Dreyse Reference
    By rescuerandy2 in forum Black Powder
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 02-26-2015, 11:59 AM
  4. 1910 M07 Dreyse
    By majspud in forum Range Reports - Show us how good you are!
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-16-2015, 07:07 PM
  5. Dreyse needle gun - I need help
    By slovakia in forum Black Powder
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 06-10-2013, 11:44 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks