Can anyone identify this ammo and belt / link system?

[Tualatin]

Can anyone identify this ammo and belt / link system? I've 300 rounds from my uncle and I don't know what it is. Perhaps 8mm?

Read More

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Looks just like this 8mm ammo

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/400-rounds-of-mixed-wwii-8mm-mauser-ammo-863d-c-05f42e0b98

 

[Tualatin]

Yeah that is the link system but the cartridge cases of those are longer than these.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Yeah that is the link system but the cartridge cases of those are longer than these.

Yeah, missed that

 

[JuglansRegia]

Looks like MG42 links and 8mm mauser or 7.62 Nato, I am no expert on the writing but Turks have been using the roman alphabet for a while so maybe Persian or Arabic.

 

[TTSX]

7.62 NATO/.308 made by these guys is my guess

 

[CLT65]

It's not 8mm, and I want to say 7.62x51, but something in the recesses of my brain is saying 7.5 French.



EDIT: Sorry, not 7.5 French, definitely 7.62. If you look closely, the headstamp has "7.62" stamped right on it, in Arabic numerals.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Well whatever it is it'll look great as part of your pancho villa halloween costume next year.

 

[Yarome]

It's not 8mm, and I want to say 7.62x51, but something in the recesses of my brain is saying 7.5 French.

The links are definitely MG34/42 links, but it certainly doesn't look like 8mm. They do look more 7.62.

TBH though I am not extremely well versed in historical weapons in that region. I do know they did a lot of backyard gunsmithing though and just about anything is possible.

Interesting belt.

Edit: I believe Andy nailed it below. 7.62 belt for the German MG3.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Does the West German MG 3 take the MG 42 belts...?
The MG 3 is in 7.62 NATO.
Andy

 

[TTSX]

Interesting belt.

It sure is

 

[Yarome]

Does the West German MG 3 take the MG 42 belts...?
The MG 3 is in 7.62 NATO.
Andy

Now that you mention it.... it does, indeed. The MG53 as well... if I'm not mistaken. Those slipped my mind. That's likely what he's got.

 

[CLT65]

The links are definitely MG34/42 links, but it certainly doesn't look like 8mm. Frankenbelt(?) They do look more "7.62", but I can't think of any 7.62 MG that would work with those links. 7.5 French was in common use in that region back when... very similar to the 7.62 cartridge and it "seems" more plausible a frankenmod to 7.5 could make sense.

TBH though I am not extremely well versed in historical weapons in that region. I do know they did a lot of backyard gunsmithing though and just about anything is possible. I guess I could see modding an old MG42 to fire M60 ammo that was likely in abundance.(?)

Interesting belt.

I edited my post above. The cartridges have "7.62" right on the headstamp, if you know how to read it. It's Syrian 7.62x51 ammo. The date is 1959.

 

[Yarome]

I edited my post above. The cartridges have "7.62" right on the headstamp, if you know how to read it. It's Syrian 7.62x51 ammo. The date is 1959.

I edited my post too. I'm pretty confident Andy nailed it. An MG3 belt.

Great share!

 

[quneur]

CLT65 is correct. Found it here:

http://www.cartrology.com/cartridges/browse

Country: Syria
Cartridge: 7.62 Nato

 

[Tualatin]

CLT65 is correct. Found it here:

http://www.cartrology.com/cartridges/browse

Country: Syria
Cartridge: 7.62 Nato

That is an amazing website. Thanks!!