What did I buy?

Sisco · December 8, 2002, 03:50 PM

Saw these on eBay, bid low & won but what exactly did I get? Did the Russians really shoot wooden bullets, are these a training aid or something a bored Bolshevik whittled out one long winter?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ADME:X:BN:US:2

Jim Watson · December 8, 2002, 05:38 PM

Well, see, the war was going badly for them and lead and copper are strategic metals, not easily come by. So they figured that a wooden bullet would do because they were not giving their conscripts much training anyhow and by the time they got close enough to hit a German, the wooden bullet would still be moving fast enough to inflict a disabling or deadly wound.

Now, if you believe that, I have some other collectibles for you. But it was common "knowledge" at one time.

The real reason for wooden bullets was to have a blank that would feed reliably through the action. Lots of European arsenals made them. The real attachment for a Swedish Mauser's threaded muzzle is a cutter to splinter a wooden bullet so it would not carry at all.

Sisco · December 8, 2002, 05:57 PM

Jim, now that you have awakened me from my pipe dream of obtaining a rare and valuable antique for only $2.99 I have decided to invest the rest of my kids college fund in Enron stock.

But seriously, thanks for the info. After reading your post I recall hearing that somewhere before, probably on this forum. Bought them to add to my meager cartridge collection, conversation piece doncha know.

**Mike Irwin** · December 8, 2002, 08:53 PM

There are two uses for wood-bulleted cartridges.

The first Jim notes.

The second is grenade launching.

Some American rounds such as the .30-40 Krag used "bullets" made from hard paper.

December 8, 2002, 03:50 PM	#1
Sisco Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Location: KS Posts: 1,558	What did I buy? Saw these on eBay, bid low & won but what exactly did I get? Did the Russians really shoot wooden bullets, are these a training aid or something a bored Bolshevik whittled out one long winter? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ADME:X:BN:US:2 __________________ "I don't mind it when stupid people say stupid things. Stupid people should be encouraged to say stupid things, that way we always know who the stupid people are." ~ Ted Nugent http://www.awbansunset.com/awcountdown_sm.gif

December 8, 2002, 05:57 PM	#3
Sisco Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Location: KS Posts: 1,558	Jim, now that you have awakened me from my pipe dream of obtaining a rare and valuable antique for only $2.99 I have decided to invest the rest of my kids college fund in Enron stock. But seriously, thanks for the info. After reading your post I recall hearing that somewhere before, probably on this forum. Bought them to add to my meager cartridge collection, conversation piece doncha know. __________________ "I don't mind it when stupid people say stupid things. Stupid people should be encouraged to say stupid things, that way we always know who the stupid people are." ~ Ted Nugent http://www.awbansunset.com/awcountdown_sm.gif Last edited by Sisco; December 8, 2002 at 08:43 PM.

December 8, 2002, 08:53 PM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,388	There are two uses for wood-bulleted cartridges. The first Jim notes. The second is grenade launching. Some American rounds such as the .30-40 Krag used "bullets" made from hard paper. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 8, 2002, 05:38 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Well, see, the war was going badly for them and lead and copper are strategic metals, not easily come by. So they figured that a wooden bullet would do because they were not giving their conscripts much training anyhow and by the time they got close enough to hit a German, the wooden bullet would still be moving fast enough to inflict a disabling or deadly wound. Now, if you believe that, I have some other collectibles for you. But it was common "knowledge" at one time. The real reason for wooden bullets was to have a blank that would feed reliably through the action. Lots of European arsenals made them. The real attachment for a Swedish Mauser's threaded muzzle is a cutter to splinter a wooden bullet so it would not carry at all.