Cracking Open a Crate: 1953 Bulgarian 7.62x25 Tokarev Ammunition 

I never thought some one opening a box of ammo would be interesting. I was wrong, I enjoyed it. Thanks.

There's a certain nostalgia to having these old spam cans. It's like owning a piece of antique history.

Text on the box: Instructions For opening and saving of the zinc boxes whit martial bulets hermetically packed. 1.Take the box whit left hand and whit the right take the ring that is on the tape whit whom the kid is soldered to the box. 2.Pull carfully on right without twisting the bar. 3.In case that the ring is broken, the bar is remove whit pilers and open. 4.After opening and taking out the bullets, the bar and the top of the box must be put in the box and then in the chest for keeping and sending back to the storage of the military unit. 5.Be carfull for the opening and for the keeping to not deform the box and lid. 6.The box, lid, the bar whit the ring must to be maintain healthy. 7.Its forbiden the boxes to be used for outher perposes. 8.The affixing of various objects in the box that would make it hurt or drilled. Storage of the box separate from the chests be avoided. The packages of bullets: Plant - 10 16 combat pistol cartridges 7.62 mm caliber plain or submachine pistols

At the Frontline: "Igor im out of Ammo, where is the Screwdriver blyt" :D

This is Bulgarian ammo, just like NotAGunGuy says. At 2:06 is a good shot of the box front. [I will show the Cyrillic letters first, then translate them into Latinate letters] The upper left field indicates the caliber, ammo type, and case type *7.62 ПГЛ* (7.62mm PGL, stands for _Pistolet Gil'za Latun'_ - [Russian > "Pistol [ammo], Brass Case"]). The lower left field reads *1600 БР.* (1600 _BR._ stands for _Broĭka_ [Bulgarian > "Pieces"]), meaning the crate holds 1600 "items" or cartridges. (Each tin holds fifty 16-round packets of ammo for a total of 800 rounds per can). The upper right field reads *31-10* , which means "Lot #31, packed at Factory 10" and the center right field reads *IV-53* , which means the lot was packed in April (the fourth month, indicated by the Roman numeral "IV"), in year 1953. The bottom right field reads *П30 No.8 14/53 10K* . *П30 No.8* ("P30 No.8") is the propellant type. P30 stands for Pistol 30 (the 7.62mm Tula-Tokarev TT-30/33 self-loading pistol) and No.8 is the formula of propellant used. The standard ComBloc packaging style shows the propellant batch as a fraction, with the propellant batch number over the 2-digit year of production ( *14/53* ), with the powder mill number or letter ( *10K* ) shown to the right. This indicates Batch #14 of year 1953, made at Factory 10K. At 6:20 is a shot of the ammo tins. The ink stamp on the tins inside is very faded, but should read *7.62 ПГЛ* ("7.62mm PGL") on the upper field and *31-10 П30 No.8 14/53 10K* ("Lot #31, Factory 10; P30 No.8 14/53 10K") on the lower field. The Headstamp at 12:53 is a star at 12 o'clock, the 2-digit year ( *53* ) at 6 o'clock, a Cyrillic letter *З* (or "Z", standing for _Zavod_ , or "Factory") at 9 o'clock and the factory code number ( *10* ) at 3 o'clock. So the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions spell out *З 10* ("Z[avod] 10"), or "Factory 10". The star indicates that it is a brass case, rather than bimetallic (tombak-plated steel). Factory *10K* or Factory *((10))* is the modern-day ARSENAL factory in Kazanlak, Bulgaria. The complex contained both a cartridge factory and a powder mill. It was the third Factory 10 in the Communist Block, explaining why it has a double oval around its number. The K in 10K stands for Kazanlak.

When I opened mine, I put it on the floor, one foot on it and pulled straight up. No issue

Your motor skills make me want to cry!

3 o'clock in the morning and I just spent 15 minutes watching some clumsy dude open a box of old ammo. Sigh.

Nice, my dad was probably not even foreseen in '53..... damn that just gives me a nice perspective of surplus ammo and guns. And some guy ( probably in the city of Kazanluk where the number 10 factory is ) was packaging this. Thanks for calling Bulgaria a soviet block country as opposed to part of the CCCP, a lot of people I meet think, Bg was part of "Mother Russia". And funny you should pick that name to blame.... my dad is called Vladimir, so a lot of nice references I found in this unboxing. and BTW, just think of the guy that packaged it.... see if he could wrap his mind in '53 around what just happened... A guy in the US just pulled out the nails he nailed in in 2015... coool

Wow, pretty strict instructions. They even tell you with which hand to hold the can(left) and with which hand to pull the ring(right) and how to do so(by pulling right without twisting).Also, there seems to have been strict rules about returning the zinc cans (for recycling I presume). From 4 to 8 it's all about what to do after it's open. Thank you for the interesting video, it was very exciting to watch. P.S. Another thing I've noticed - there's a lot of metal dust accumulated throughout the years, please take safety precautions when dealing with such gear, inhaling 60 year old metal dust is sure to be dangerous!

This is a really cool time machine.... ! I wonder how much a round trip on that airline was back in the day ?! Honestly I would love to also hear the backstory on how this stuff became to be packaged and saved back in 1953? Whoever had the foresight to do this was extremely smart. I’m hoping there’s a really cool story behind it and not somebody just scavenging ammo lol either way it should make a cool story. Thank you very much for posting this i’m sure you had a blast. 🤘

it's amazing you have lived as long as you have without getting hit buy a train or something.

Back in the day when this ammo was dirt cheap, I bought a couple tins. Crates of the 7.62x54r stuff as well as the 5.45x39 7N stuff... I was always too lazy to open them so I just used the commercial stuff. I'm glad I did. Hard to find this stuff. Too bad it's corrosive. But I think I'll just keep these. Thanks I enjoyed video...

Ammo never “really” expires. I explained that to someone as I fired Korean War era 30.06 reloads that are 150 grain steel core and loaded hot as hell. Came loaded in the M1 garand clips, not magazines, and made my Remington 700 jump off the bench with the bipod. I bet this ammo performed as well as it was intended in 1946.

Looking forward to seeing you shooting this ammo and comparing it to the new production with the chronograph!

Why am I so mesmerized by a guy opening a box lol

It is strange to think that most of the people who produced that ammo back in 1953 are probably dead by now in 2021. 25yo would be 93 now. But it is still extremely enjoyable to watch the opening of such cans.

That intro was amazing.

Glad you took your time. I saw another guy open one and it had a hand written note in it. He crumbled it up and threw it away. He got a lot of negative comments for that. Who knows what it said, ya know. I'm a fan of the wooden boxes too lol

You attempted to open the first can backwards, thats why it didnt work.

Put it on the floor and pull they aren't built to fall apart. Military spec ment the same back then as it does now. Basically indestructible.

Holy shit bro...watching this aggravated the piss outta me. it's meant to be pulled straight out. Watching you wiggle the tab back and forth made me cringe knowing it would snap off. Good video though. Thumbs up

The Soviet soldiers used a piece of wood from the box, cut a slit in it longways and used it like a can opener to roll the retaining strap off like a sardine can opener.

I'm imagining some dude digging up this old crate (or finding it in the corner of an old warehouse), then opening it and seeing all these nicely wrapped rounds. For some reason this thought gives me a calm pleasure.

Definite Steve 1989 vibes with this video....nice!

I enjoyed this video much more than it is rational to do so. :-)

Straight up then turn …. Good lord… who would have thought this would be this hard

fun video thanks.

I started holding my breath at 5:50 trying not to inhale that dust lol

Re: headstamp - What looks like a 3 is the Cyrillic Z, standing for "Zabod" which means "factory or plant". The 10 is the number of the plant, and 53 is of course the date. So the star indicates gov't production at Plant #10 in 1953. The sheet inside the lid says, "Instruktsiya", directions for (probably) opening the cans. You will also find the word Zabod followed by 10.

This is best ammo, as to ballistics and lethality. The powder and primers are corrosive and do decay, so expect a few non firing rounds and variations in velocity. I used to get crates such as this for $20-25 USD and over 90% were great rounds. I once got a pallet that had 3 crates showing that at one time they must of been fully immersed in water, all round were still great. This is one of most under appreciated rounds out there. Some were boxed but most had number of rounds in paper as his is. Not just 62 year dirt, rounds were lubricated by a powder of some sort. The pink box were for the full auto matic just a very slight increase in powder grains, but bullets were same Surprizingly all will penetrate, even out of short Takarov pistol barrels, level 3 soft body armor. Reason these surplus ammo rounds are available is Because Bulgaria is being reearded due to their aiding illegal weapons to Syrian, moderates¿¿¿¿¿¿, Iraq Military, Kurds, Afghan Military, masdive contracts for AK weaponry and Ammo. Vostly to our out of sight progrsm and is reason why pentagon is asking for comtract bids to build them here and for non auto capsble AR as well. Also for contrscts of US owned ammo manufacturrs. In some States an individual is not allowed to buy bulk ammo.

I live in michigan and the Packard was built here and I've explored the abandoned factory many times wish I could of seen it back then

and at the time u get that ammunitionbox opened, the war has stopped.

in Soviet Russia screw driver opens youu

You can never be accused of overthinking possible solutions to a mechanical engineering problem. Work smart, not hard.

This stuff will blast through several bulletproof vests no problem

You're supposed to put them in the oven on 350 degrees for 1 hour to melt the solder off so you can pull the pin to open it

When the soldiers opened the ammunition box and your magazines filled have, the war was already at the end !!! ;-)

They don't make them like they used to

Cool soviet era box full of fun

thanks. We in Bulgaria make good ammunition.

Yea, they are always fun to open. Hope to see the results on the forums. ToBeFree

boy I would not have to open that in a hurry with the Gong coming over the hill

I like that information at first part of the video good job 👍

I sure would love to see what it shoots like.

... imagine a war time scenario... c’mon dude theyre getting closer... i need that bleepin ammo now... I’m workin on it... f/!@...

Great fun!...

How the hell do you have only 500 subs ?!? Great video mate. Really enjoyed it.

I had the same, "HELL OF A TIME," getting my can open. I would hate to have the enemy breathing down on you while trying to get this damn can open.

nice opening tie-in

Very very very hot hot ammo for pistols.

Oh my god.... Everybody.. this man got his hands dirty.. HE GOT HIS HANDS DIRTY

On instruction was writen: While you hold with left hand open with right hand pulling to the right side.

good presentation

Nice to see how quickly those things can be opened in a firefight!

Those look crazy man

It's kinda bizarre looking back, this ammo was so cheap at one point that the place I bought it from would throw in a case with a 50$ purchase. I used to smash them into splinters when loading PPSH mags for a range day. Now, I just wish I had the spent brass. I'm trying to baby my ol' PPSH, so I only run light reloads through it.

First time using pliers I see! Cool video.

when the box is open, the war is over ....

Nice video

As a former Ordnance Officer I have to ask, what did it smell like?

Stalingrad, day 28: We have assembled for attacking but are still waiting for Ordnance platoon to issue ammo for PPSH. Comrade Kommisar ran toward German lines last night, yelling: “After me!”. He has not returned.

By the time Bulgarian soldiers would have opened these boxes their enemy would have reached the capital.

at least you opened the second box in the correct direction.

Imagine putting these boxes into fire, and waiting for surprise

I'm waiting for the day when someone opens a can , and finds SPAM.

How funny would it be if Vlad farted just before sealing up the can...

Cool video.

I got some 1954 production Sellier & Bellot military surplus 7.62x25, and it also has the three-dot crimp on it (in fact, some of the cases got cracks right along those dots. Inside is packaged in 70-round boxes, which seem to be in much better condition than your packages. Stuff runs pretty good out of my Yugo Military M57 (not to be confused with the Zastava M57).

Wow.amazing! Would they still fire after all these time?

got my tin (now i know how to play with the tab to get it open) and ive never had a problem with the bulgarian surplus. fires great, flat shot only have to deal with the fact that it is steel core and corrosive.

Cracking open a cold one with the boys

would love to get one of these

23 cents per gallon. That's about the same price as today. If you use the same quarter that is.

Man I would be displayed it at a museum

The most important point of this ammo that it will kill even today

Solder? maybe try reheat with solder iron at the start. Couldn't imagine 'Sir, we need reloads ASAP the enemy is gonna route us" 2hrs later....'Got the 1st box open, now to load the mags'

I'm guessing that "Instructsiya" means that the text below are the instructions. Somewhere there's an app you can put on a smart phone that will do live translation of foreign text using the phone's camera. It shows English translation of Russian text, for example. BTW, you _might_ have been able to leave that strap nailed onto the lid, and then used it as an ersatz hinge for the box.

it's like, "nooo, no american shall claim my contents"

It's cool that this was made by the famous "circle 10" factory- I guess before they put the circle around the 10...

добър си бе. продължавай да тренираш упорито, и след време ще успееш да отвориш бутилка вода с моторен трион!!! ,,боже,колко мъка има по тоя свят божеее"

When I am 62 years old hope i will be as fun as that ammo

The note on the lid is written in Bulgarian.

Opening a metal ammo crate is a difficult job,how soldiers can open in life threatening situations and what tools they need to use for opening in dangerous situations. Bullets were packed in low quality papers because non commercial storage but how dust entered in a sealed container ? It means a leakage was there which was left during sealing the cane. Can a 50 year old ammo work which is not properly sealed? By GR Jamali from Pakistan.

YOU ARE NOT A HANDY MAN.

Jesus . They didn't even want their own soldiers getting in them boxes

Sure they'll all go bang. Corrosive priming lasts forever, especially in a sealed zinc box. Just soak your gun down with ammonia to neutralize the corrosive salts and clean as normal.

I'm from Bulgaria

You must be American spy if you don't know how Soviet ammo can opens

”It’s get better the longer you get in” hahahahha

I miss the days when this stuff was $20 a metric ton

Really cool!

70yrs old.

Simple just melt the solder with your map gas torch 😅

on the paper its written for normal handgun and a automatic machiengun

I had original Spam can of 7.62 x 25 made in China in 1960. I paid $160.00 with shipping of $15.00. I owned Tokorev pistol T 33 made in Yugoslavia.

It's like opening a time capsule from 1953

What I found funny is that $0.24 for gas in 1953 is $2.23 in today's money, which is basically the same.

beautiful intro

Watch a guy struggle with 3 boxes for 12 minutes.