Lindcott Armory Pistol · Obsolete / Non-standard
7.65x21mm Parabellum
The original Luger cartridge — bottlenecked, distinctive, and historically pivotal.
- Caliber
- 0.3091″ · 7.85 mm
- Introduced
- 1898
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- 7.65mm Borchardt
- Primary use
- Military (Historical)
- Status
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1898
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- Germany
- Inventor
- Georg Luger
- Manufacturer
- Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken (DWM)
- Standard
- Obsolete / Non-standard
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Collector Only
- Case capacity
- 8.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:10
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 34,100 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 200 yd
- Recoil
- 3.5–5.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Parent case
- 7.65mm Borchardt
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.85 | 0.309 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.43 | 0.332 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 9.61 | 0.378 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 15.5° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 9.93 | 0.391 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 9.98 | 0.393 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.22 | 0.048 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 3.97 | 0.156 | ≈ |
| Case length | 21.59 | 0.850 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 29.85 | 1.175 | ✓ |
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. 7.65x21mm Parabellum is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 3 active loads across 3 brands. Top 13 shown.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sellier & Bellot | FMJ | 93 | FMJ | 1,220 | 307 | — |
| Fiocchi | FMJ | 93 | FMJ | 1,220 | 307 | — |
| PPU | FMJ | 93 | FMJ | 1,220 | 307 | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 93 | FMJ | 1,250 | 323 | — |
| PPU | Standard | 93 | FMJ | 1,250 | 323 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 93 | FMJ | 1,250 | 323 | — |
| RWS | Classic | 93 | FMJ | 1,250 | 323 | — |
| Fiocchi | Classic | 73 | FMJ | 1,250 | 253 | — |
| Hirtenberger | HP Classic | 93 | FMJ | 1,230 | 312 | — |
| Geco | FMJ | 93 | FMJ | 1,220 | 307 | — |
| Winchester | FMJ | 93 | FMJ | 1,220 | 307 | — |
| DWM | FMJ Service | 93 | FMJ | 1,220 | 307 | — |
| Remington | FMJ | 93 | FMJ | 1,220 | 307 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
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 7.65x21mm Parabellum
12 models in the database chamber 7.65x21mm Parabellum. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Georg Luger derived the 7.65 Parabellum from Hugo Borchardt's earlier cartridge, straightening the case and reducing length to create a more practical pistol round. Switzerland adopted it in 1900. When the German Navy and Army evaluated the Luger pistol, they insisted on a 9mm caliber — leading Luger to expand the bottleneck to 9mm, creating the 9x19mm Parabellum in 1902. The assassination of French President Sadi Carnot in 1894 used a similar 7.65mm pistol (though technically the Borchardt predecessor), marking early infamy for this cartridge class. Switzerland continued using 7.65 Parabellum through the mid-20th century.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 7.65x21mm Parabellum use?
- 7.65x21mm Parabellum typically uses a 1:10 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 7.65x21mm Parabellum?
- 7.65x21mm Parabellum uses a 0.3091″ (7.85 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 7.65x21mm Parabellum still in production?
- 7.65x21mm Parabellum is obsolete; typical availability is collector only.
- What is 7.65x21mm Parabellum used for?
- 7.65x21mm Parabellum is primarily used for military (historical).
- What is 7.65x21mm Parabellum based on?
- 7.65x21mm Parabellum is derived from the 7.65x25mm Borchardt case.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 3 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →