7.62x25

[smle2009]

Hi To all,
just picked up this 7.62x25mm round with a Swiss military headstamp(T 11 T 71),
I am trying to find out if it is a sub sonic sniper round(wisper) or a sub calibre training/spotting round.
I have been unable to find out any information as to the Swiss useing this round,it would seem they used a 7.9x35mm version,so could be a contract made round for another country,they do make our 5.56mm for us. it may be possible that half of the head on this round may have been 'blackened' at some stage
Any ideas on this chaps?

Cheers
Tony

 

[TonyE]

Are you sure about the calibre Tony?

It looks like the Swiss sub-calibre round loaded to a 7.65x21mm Parabellum case. It is used in one of their rocket launchers (I can't remember which one) and the half blackened head indicates tracer I believe.

I also don't know of any Swiss 7.9x35mm, as the Swiss never used 7.9 as a claibre. They had two different assault rifle rounds, the 7.65x35mm from 1921 and the 7.5x38mm from post WW2, plus a different 7.65x38mm from just before WW2, although this may have been a private development as only unloaded components and no weapon are known.

Regards
TonyE

 

[smle2009]

Hi TonyE,
fairly certain it is 7.62mm,the case lenght measures 24.5mm it has a ball bullet in it but that does not mean it wasn't originaly a tracer as unfortunatly it would seem I am the third owner of this round.
The 7.9mm was a typo should have read 7.5mm(sorry boss!)

Cheers
Tony

 

[TonyE]

I will have to do a bit more digging, perhaps the Swiss lengthened the case. As you well know, foreign SAA is not my strength but I still think it is a sub-calibre round. The Portuguese use a similar round.

Cheers
TonyE

 

[smle2009]

Hi TonyE,
Many thanks,yes I have found that Portugal,USA and France tried these rounds in the 70's but nothing for Switzerland in this calibre,just had a thought about the tracer thing,would they have used a heavy neck crip like this, due to the possibility of crushing the tracer element?

Cheers
Tony

 

[jonnyc]

TonyE is right about the caliber, it should be a 7.65 Luger case. I have heard of both military subcaliber and civilian cattle-killer rounds based off this case in use in Switzerland.

 

[Jimiles]

Tony,
This looks very much like a 7.65mm x 21.5mm case to me with, I hate to say it, a rifle bullet stuck in it. Can you remeasure the caselength? In your photo it does look as if the case is only 21.5mm long and not 24.5mm as stated.
Jim

 

[smle2009]

Hi Jim,
you are right mate! got the guy to measure the case for me before I bought it,time to chuck it back at him me thinks! so would this be a handgun case originaly?
A big thankyou to you for spotting this Jim and a big sorry to TonyE for not going off to measure it myself!

All the best
Tony

 

[Jimiles]

Hi Tony, I'm not sure I'd turn it down for a couple of quid but I wouldn't pay anymore than that. I'm not saying it's definitely NOT a legitimate sub-calibre but it's certainly not one I'm aware of. All I can say for sure is that stood beside a ruler it's only 21.5mm long!
Jim

 

[smle2009]

Hi Jim,
no mate,I am really gratefull to you and it has tought me not to be so stupid and measure things for myself, It may also turn out to be that sub calibre that TonyE mentioned in his first post yet,so a delay in 'chucking it' anywhere yet..........it was cheap too:wink:

Cheers
Tony

 

[smle2009]

Hi All,
just found a photo of the sub calibre Swiss 7.65x21 spotting round in Tony Williams site and the bullet is a lot longer than the case!,so Jim it looks like you were right about it being a 7.65mm(Luger?) case with a rifle bullet shoved in it!
Ah well win some lose some,going to put a correct pistol bullet back in this one when I find one so at least there will be one less 'cobbled' one on the market.

All the best
Tony

 

[smle2009]

There,there all better now!