7.92x57mm Polte Board

[Lewis]

Attached is a photo of a 7.92x57mm board that I had not previously seen. The blank is headstamped "P S* 84 38" which dates the earliest date for the board. The remaining six cartridges are headstamped only "7.92". From left to right they are:

1. Green pa
2. Red pa
3. Red pa-Black bullet tip
4. Red strip across base
5. Black pa-Silver tip
6. Darkened, perhaps slightly green base

I recognize they are probably all simple ball bullets painted up in different colors for the board.

Why are the headstamps only "7.92"??? Do these represent contract loads???

Have others seen similar boards???

Cheers,

Lew

 

[smle2009]

Hi Lew,
no help I'm afraid with the info you are looking for,just wanted to say very nice board.

Tony

 

[Lewis]

An update from the IAA Forum. This board must date from between mid-1938 and mid to late 1939. The blank case lot is lot 84 of 145 in 1938 so the case was unlikely to have been made before mid-year. The designation of the B-Patron load was changed from a chrome (silver color) tip to a black bullet with an uncolored (copper) tip in 1939. It is unlikely that the chrome tip would have been part of a display if the change in bullet identification was to be changed shortly.

The "7.92" headstamp is one of three styles of this headstamp known and all are probably production for Spain during the Civil War (which ended in April 1939), and were available cases. There are two similar Polte boards known and both have all "7.92" headstamps. There are also two incidents where this identical headstamp has shown up in boxes of Polte tracers. One box had a 1938 loading date and the other box was filled with Polte hst cases dated 1937. So, there is no quesiton that the cases are Polte.

There is still a question on the load next to the blank with the darkened base that has a slight green tone to it is I squint my eyes just right. My guess, and that of others on the Forum is that it is a Beschusspatrone (HPT) load, but I have 9mmP Beschuss from 1939 and the base is bright green. I still think it is a Beschuss, and something darkened the base finish.

More thoughts or information on the board would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Lew

 

[Lewis]

Another, very similar board is in the States. This one has had tags added identifying each round and a "U" in the corner. The "U" in German ordnance stands for "Unterricht" what means instructional. The "U-Patr." indicates "Unterrichts-Patronen" or "instructional cartridges". The board has been modified to become a training aid. This indicates ot me that this board was produced prior to any decision to change the markings on the B-Patrone cartridge.

Lew