Pistol · Obsolete
7.65mm Borchardt
The cartridge that started it all — designed for the C-93 Borchardt, the first successful commercially produced semi-automatic pistol.
- Caliber
- 0.309″ · 7.849 mm
- Introduced
- 1893
- Case
- Rimless
- Primary use
- Military, Self Defense
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1893
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- Germany
- Inventor
- Hugo Borchardt / DWM
- Manufacturer
- Ludwig Loewe & Company (DWM)
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 17 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:9.9
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 29,008 psi
- Eff. range
- 75 yd
- Max range
- 200 yd
- Recoil
- 3.5–5.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 7.65mm Borchardt — an obsolete/collector cartridge.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.85 | 0.309 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.43 | 0.332 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 9.60 | 0.378 | ~ |
| Shoulder angle | — | — | |
| Base ⌀ | 9.89 | 0.389 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 9.98 | 0.393 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.22 | 0.048 | ~ |
| Neck length | — | — | |
| Case length | 25.15 | 0.990 | · |
| Overall length | 34.04 | 1.340 | ~ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 7.65mm Borchardt is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for 7.65mm Borchardt? Some case measurements aren't in a published SAAMI/CIP drawing yet. Have a factory or reamer print? Send it → — verified hard-to-find data earns a free Lindcott sticker.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 7.65mm Borchardt
4 models in the database chamber 7.65mm Borchardt. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Hugo Borchardt designed the C-93 pistol and its cartridge in 1893 while working for Ludwig Loewe & Company in Berlin. The C-93 was the first semi-automatic pistol to achieve commercial production. Georg Luger was tasked with improving the design — his refinements shortened the case and straightened the taper, creating the 7.65mm Parabellum, and later the 9mm Parabellum. Without the Borchardt cartridge, the entire lineage of modern semi-automatic pistols would have a different origin point.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 7.65mm Borchardt use?
- 7.65mm Borchardt typically uses a 1:9.9 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 7.65mm Borchardt?
- 7.65mm Borchardt uses a 0.309″ (7.849 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 7.65mm Borchardt still in production?
- 7.65mm Borchardt is discontinued; typical availability is antique.
- What is 7.65mm Borchardt used for?
- 7.65mm Borchardt is primarily used for military, self defense.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 8 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →