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9 mm Mars
Type Pistol
Place of origin File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Production history
Designed 1899
Manufacturer Kynoch
Specifications
Case type Rimless, bottleneck
Bullet diameter .356 in (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". mm)
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy
156 gr (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". g) FMJ 1,400 ft/s (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". m/s) 675 ft·lbf (Bad rounding hereScript error: No such module "Math". J)
Source(s): "Textbook of Automatic Pistols" [1]

The 9 mm Mars is an experimental centerfire pistol cartridge developed in the late 19th century based on necking down the .45 Mars Long case. The bullet has two deep cannelures, and the case is crimped into both. The case mouth is chamfered on the outside to fit flush into the forward cannelure. This elaborate bullet seating was necessary to withstand the violent feed mechanism of the Mars Automatic Pistol. The cartridge headspaces on the shoulder adjacent to the neck. The case has a thin rim and deep extractor groove in comparison to most rimless pistol cartridges. There was a very similar 8.5mm Mars cartridge firing a 139 grain bullet at 1550 feet per second. The Mars cartridges were publicized as the most powerful handgun cartridges through the early 20th century; but less than 100 pistols were made and manufacture ceased in 1907.[1]

See also[]

  • 9mm caliber

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 *Wilson, R. K. Textbook of Automatic Pistols, pp.236-237. Plantersville, SC: Small Arms Technical Publishing Company, 1943.
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