7.62 X 45 CZECH M.52

Research notes

Adopted by the Czech Army in 1952, this was an assault rifle cartridge more powerful than the 7.62x39 AK that the Soviets were using at the time. Mother Russia did not take kindly to these developments and it was dropped in favour of the Warsaw pact AK47 7.62 x 39

An arc on the headstamp means that the case has only 1 flash hole, a star denotes a brass case and the symbol denotes the manufacturer code where many times the loadings were done clandestinely.

aym = Povazke Strojarne Narodi Podnik

bxn = Blanické Strojirny, Vlásim

Cartridges with dates earlier than 1952 were in the experimental stage before it was officially adopted

This cartridge was called a ‘Witness Cartridge’ in the then Czechoslovakia. It was used for showing new recruits what this caliber ‘looks like’ and perhaps the weapons it is used in, along with other calibers and the weapons they would be used in. It is not a drill or dummy cartridge. The brass case has two large holes drilled into it as can be seen. The primer is struck and this has probably caused the discoloration and corrosion around the holes.

Proof load

ZV = Zbrojovka Vlasim

Early load

Reference Load