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
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 7.65x21mm Parabellum — an obsolete/collector cartridge. Parent case: 7.65x25mm Borchardt.
Performance
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
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 7.65x21mm 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 →