Polte-Blanks

During the 1920s and early 1930s, Polte developed a series of blanks with both blue wooden
bullets and with various styles of red paper bullets. The earliest known loads are in WW I
cases indicating the original work began before Polte (and Germany) resumed full production
of 9mm Parabellum ammunition in early 1924. These two blanks were found in the RWS factory
collection, but appear to be Polte production. Blue wood bullet blanks are known with 1926
and 1927 dates. Red paper bullet blanks with Polte headstamps are known with 1929, 1933 and
1934 dates. The red paper bullets come in a number of styles as indicated below.

In addition to the Polte blanks, Geco produced a commerical blank with a lacquered red paper
bullet filled with powdered iron to give it weight to function an automatic pistol, DWM
produced a blank (apparently commercial) with a red wood bullet, RWS produced a blank with a
tan (slightly pink) paper bullet and a very unusual blank with a natural color wood bullet filled
with mercury for weight.

Any additional information on German blanks from this period would be greatly appreciated,
particularly original documentation and factory drawings.

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