7,62x39 M43 soviet cartridge

[Vince]

I have posted this question to the IAA forum, but they couldn't answer it for sure. Maybe i'll have more luck in Europe.

So here is my question:
Theoretically (regarding its designation) it was introduced in 1943. Probably this is true, because the prototype of the SKS carbine was on field trials in 1944. But the first hedstamp known is 539 49.
The other interesting thing is that http://kalashnikov.guns.ru/models/list states that all prototypes till 1948 (AK and SKS) were using a mysterious 7,62x41mm cartridge which had been replaced by the 7,62x39mm in late 1948. It looks like the case length changed in 1948 but the designation remained the same.
This can prove the the fact about first known hs. of the 43M. But 5 years of the cartridge's proven history is still missing.

I wonder if anybody has any proof of the 7,62x41mm cartridge

Regards,
Vince

[x]

I think there are no mysteries so far.
The original M43 had a case length of 41mm and a lead core projectile without boat tail (known specimen has no hs, but Russian sources mention 539 and 543 as manufacturers).
This was the cartridge since it was produced in 1944 (it exists in at least one reference collection in the west and plenty are estimated to exist in Russia). In 1948 it was modified and got a new projectile and the case was shortened by 2mm. The new projectile's ogive was then lengthened by these 2mm.
So far I never heard about the 1949 head stamp on the M43 we know today. The Russians themselfes say the production before 1950 had no head stamp (brass washed cases exist).
An imagte of the "539 49" is most appreciated.
The RPD-44 was also chambered for the "first" M43 caliber.
After the modification of the cartridge all weapons produced by then received new barrels.

[Vince]

Hello X,

Do you have pics about the 7,62x41 cartridge?
here is the picture about the h/s:

Regards,
Vince

[x]

Great head stamp, thank you.

An image I have seen in a Russian gun magazine. I will post it as soon as I review them to find the image.

[Munition]

Great head stamp, thank you.

An image I have seen in a Russian gun magazine. I will post it as soon as I review them to find the image.

Hello, I got mine many years ago from Pitarski (Mr.Sok......), and it had no headstamp and a slightly different bodyform of the case.
Unfortunatelly I swapped it to France to a well known collector against something german -28mm KWK (not Pzb!!) (which I prefered at that time).....
So, at this time, that russian collector had several cartridges of this experimental type, which went to USa and at least to Finland.
If Mr. X cannot retrieve a photo, I will try to get one from the french colleague...
GF
Munition