General Pages

Mauser Pages

The 7.92x57mm Cartridge

The 7.92x57mm round was developed in 1888, replacing the 11.15x60Rmm round used in early Mauser rifles. In 1905 the diameter of the bullet was changed to it's final shape. This was .323" diameter and weighed 197.5 grains. This was the sS type, for schweres Spitzgeschoss ("heavy pointed bullet. These came packaged in 15 round boxed in 300 round cardboard cases. If the ammo was for machine guns such as the MG42, the rounds would no be packaged on stripper clips. Information on the headstamp listed the arsenal, lot, and year of manufacture. This cartridge was produced by many different countries in different loadings, including Romania, Turkey, Argentina, and Greece. Also, the Russians captured large quantities of this ammunition after WWII.

15 Round box with five round stripper clip. Note the stamp on the box indicating that this is machine gun ammunition. This can also be used in rifles, the stamp just indicated that the ammunition is more consistent and that the rounds are not on stripper clips.