SS Shells- Interesting Finds! (Identifying Finds, Photos +)
Among the collectibles of different pieces of World War II, there are people separately collecting everything related to the famous SS. These are often the most valuable and expensive artifacts, because even the buckle on the SS will cost several times more than an ordinary Wehrmacht buckle.
One of the most affordable items are the SS shells, which do not cost too much, but grow in value because they are getting fewer and fewer, and then number of those wishing to get them to their collection is growing.
A bit of history for you:
Since before World War II, the SS was under the control of the Nazi Party organization, they had placed their own orders for SS ammo in a commercial manner. As far as we know, it was released only 3 parties of bullets with 1024 boxes in each party, which can be tracked by the individual stamps on the ammunition:
- In 1938 they were produced by the company DWM marked as SS and SS-TV with heavy sS bullets.
- in 1939 they were allegedly produced by Polte, with the Platz 33 cartridges / With the markings SS-TV.
At the beginning of the war, the SS already started recieving ammunition on the same line with the Wehrmacht, and after that, the idividual SS markings started disappearing.
Right now there are several markings known:
- «DWM 1938 SS»
- «DWM 1938 SS-TV»
- 1939 SS TV Platzpatrone 33
The first variant is more common in all. The second option is a little less common and even more interesting, and the third option isreliably known, but I have never had my hands on one.
Today we have in our gallery one of the representatives of these cartridges:
In general, this is the usual German 7.92 x 57mm caliber ammunition for rifles Mauser 98K and the machine gun MG-34.
But it differs from the usual ammunition by these markings:
As you can see – a beautiful 1938 DWM SS – TV.
The “TV” version raises many questions – some say that it means Totenkopf-Verbande, referring to the SS division, but this version is questionable, because this bullet is found in places where the Totenkopf did not fight. Others believe that the TV means «Technische Verwaltung», Which means “Technical management”, but information on the availability of such a department in the organization of the SS can not be documented. The version with SS-TV (SS TV channel), seems to me like more correct;) In 1936, Hitler did after all start the broadcasting of the Olympic Games.
In any case, this item is interesting, and even if just barely, you could earn back your detctor:) Look under your feet, and do not be lazy to pick up these finds. Good luck detecting!
Are you trying to identify a find? Post it in the comments, or go to our section – “Identifying Finds“!
Arrived in the U.S. very quickly and in better condition than I thought. Made an awesome addition to my collection.
Wow, Brett, thank you for your feedback, I appreciate it! It’s great you like it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNebF6aMy_E This ammunition was used by the SS to murder Jews in Poland. Here is a movie about finding graves and scales found near Wizna and Jedwabne. You can see these shells at the end part of the movie. The movie is in Polish, so let me summarize it.
Enthusiasts from the archaeological association Wizna1939 talk about the attack of the Germans on the Russians occupying Polish territories. Wizna was the first, followed by Jedwabne. They talk about the shooting of Jews by the Germans after they entered the area. They tell about the Polish-Jewish community living harmoniously, about children playing together, about common businesses. There is also an interview with Icchak Lewin who also talks about it. BTW in Podlasie (North-East Poland) Muslims (Tatars), Jews, and Poles (Catholics and Rusian Orthodox) live in harmony. Then there is a meeting with a witness, Franciszek Domurat, who tells about the shooting of Jews by the Germans. He’s pointing to where it happened. The story is shocking. Jews were shot with rifles three people at the same time and thrown into the pit. Then three again so that they bumped into the bodies below. And again and again. Then the officers using their sidearms killed those who were moving. After filling with the earth, some people were still alive because the earth was moving…
Guys from the association begin their search. They find the shells from the Mauser SS-TV DWM 1938. After being sent for expertise, they learn that the cartridges are unique because only 2 lots were produced for the SS. They also find shells from the Parabellum, which confirms that the Jews were finished off by officers.