7 X 57 MAUSER
| Calibre | 7 X 57 |
| In the cabinet | METRIC MILITARY 7mm UP TO 7.99mm · 332 images |
Research notes
HISTORY
The 7x57 was developed by Mauser during 1892 and was based on the 7.9mm necked down. At that stage the Germans had already adopted the 7.9mm in 1888 and because they were already committed to the 7,9 and were happy with its performance, the 7mm was not adopted by them although it was designed as an infantry rifle. It was however adopted by many other nations around the world. Small numbers of the M92 rifle was made when the 7mm was adopted by Spain, but it was quickly changed to the improved M93 rifle. The 7mm Mauser was used with great effect by the Spanish against the US forces which led to the demise of the 30-40 Krag and the development of the 30-06.
The countries of the Commonwealth (Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) encountered an enemy armed with the M93 7x57 during the second Boer war (1899-1902). The Commonwealth forces were armed with the Magazine Lee-Enfield rifle and when they encountered the South Africans equipped with the M93 rifle they promptly received a very costly lesson in precision shooting. This was also where the term “war of the flea” was born where guerrilla style tactics were used with great effect against an enemy not used to ambush and escape tactics. Were it not for the concentration camps and Kitchener’s scorched earth policy, the war might have had a very different outcome. The 7mm Mauser is known as an accurate, flat shooting cartridge with mild recoil and is still a favourite with many hunters and sport shooters in South Africa.
Unknown loads, in all probability done for the Spanish Civil War.
Marked "Boer War", so assumed German manufacture
AUSTRIA
Assman Blank
AP load
NEDERLAND PATRONEN-FABRIEK IN DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS (HIRTENBERG SUSIDIARY)
BELGIUM
Hollow dummy on old F.N 95 case
Tracer Commercial reload with original headstamp (FN 46) milled off.
Blank loading from refurbished 30-06 cases.
Gallery Load. Anciens Etablissements Marga, Dieghem, Belgium. UM are the initials of the founder of the company. U M = Uldarique Marga. D= Dieghem (town in Belgium outside of Liege where the company was located).
BOSNIA
BRAZIL
Fábrica de Cartuchos e Artifactos de Guerra
Fabrica de Cartuchos de Infanteria
Fábrica Realengo, Rio de Janeiro
CANADA
CHILE
Fábricas y Maestranzas del Ejercito (FAMAE), Santiago, Chile
Fábrica de Material de Guerra. This was the previous name of FAMAE
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Proof load
ENGLAND
These are probably early British loadings
ELEY variations KYNOCH
FINLAND
FRANCE
ETS LOUIS DIEU, PARIS
MANUFACTURE DE MACHINES DE HAUT-RHIN
GERMANY
Box: Courtesy Will Reuter
Gallery
Tool dummy
GREECE
Greek Powder & Cartridge Co. contract load for Spain
HUNGARY
Manfred Weiss, Budapest
MEXICO
FÁBRICA NACIONAL DE MUNICIONES
NORWAY
Bakelittfabrikken A/S, Aurskog
SOUTH AFRICA
Pro-Amm Load
Box: Courtesy Will Reuter
This is a BOSS loading from the late 80's
Boxes: Courtesy Will Reuter
Different proof/HPT loadings
PMP in-house proof
Show Dummy
SOUTH KOREA
SPAIN
Artillería, fábrica de Toledo
Unknown manfacturer for the Spanish Civil War
Fábrica Nacional de Toledo
T not visible, could have been an old bunter used
Fábrica Nacional de Toledo
Standard Electrica, SA (Madrid) - possible Hirtenberg load, although not confirmed
Pirotécnica de Sevilla
Brass Jacket
AP load Tracer
SWEDEN
SWITSERLAND
PATRONENFABRIK, SOLOTHURN
USA
WRA Co board dummy
"exploder" with red seal
VENEZUELA
Contract loading for Venezuela, probably by FN, although not 100% confirmed (yet)
Companhia Armamentos Venezuelos y Industrias Militares, Caracas
UNKNOWN/UNCERTAIN
