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8mm lebel- mystery solved

B17-P51
I saw some ammo today that appeared to be 7.62X54R. It was on a long (about 18") hard steel strip containing 24 rounds. Looks like it would hook to another strip. Headstamp was as follows = 9 o'clock - 3, 3 o'clock 48, 12 o'clock CP, 6 o'clock F. This is as I was looking at it, the positions may incorrect relative to 12 o'clock. Any suggestions on this as to year of mfgr. and the strange belt like rack they are on. I'm sure it was for some type of machine gun but what? I did a search on here, lots of info, but came up empty as to clues.
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5 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    The loading strip you describe is more then likely for the Hotchkiss Machine Gun. France & Japan were the main users of Hotchkiss guns. Although some other smaller countries also used them. Since the ammo is headstamped, it more then likely the French 8mm Lebel cartridge.
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  • rufe-snow
    Photo of empty loading strip, I got off the net.



    9-16-08%20167.jpg
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  • B17-P51
    Rufe, Thanks. That is certainly the strip I saw. After checking the dimensions of the two cartridges in a loading manual there is some similarity. (both rimmed, about the same caliber bullet, 4 mm difference in length) If I had them side by side one could easily see the difference though. I wrote the headstamp down and did not know the proper order of the stampings.Did a WIKI search on the Hotchkiss and came up with a great pic of gun and Clip/belt/strip I saw. Thanks again!
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotchkiss_M1914_machine_gun
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posteot the d by B17-P51
    Rufe, Thanks. That is certainly the strip I saw. After checking the dimensions of the two cartridges in a loading manual there is some similarity. (both rimmed, about the same caliber bullet, 4 mm difference in length) If I had them side by side one could easily see the difference though. I wrote the headstamp down and did not know the proper order of the stampings.Did a WIKI search on the Hotchkiss and came up with a great pic of gun and Clip/belt/strip I saw. Thanks again!
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotchkiss_M1914_machine_gun


    8mm Lebel ammo is not particularly common nowadays, the available surplus stock for shooting dried up years ago. It's possible that another type of rimed cartridge was inserted in the cartridge strip for display purposes.
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  • B17-P51
    Heres what I saw, but it was in MUCH better condition.
    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=126489514
    The headstamp is nearly the same, one number different.
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