Category: Ammo

Certainly! “Dum Dum” bullets were named after the Dum Dum Arsenal located near Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India. The arsenal began producing these bullets in the late 19th century. The bullets were designed to have the lead tip exposed, making them more likely to expand or mushroom upon impact, causing larger wounds and increased damage.

During World War II, various nations used expanding bullets, including the United States, Germany, the Soviet Union, and others. These bullets were employed in different types of firearms, such as rifles, handguns, and machine guns. While the specific designs of expanding bullets varied, their common purpose was to maximize the damage inflicted on the target.

German propagandistic leaflet blaming French army for using “dum dum”:

Expanding bullets were primarily used in military applications to increase the effectiveness of ammunition against human targets. The expanded shape of the bullet upon impact created larger wound channels, caused greater tissue damage, and increased the chances of incapacitating the enemy. This made them particularly useful for military forces seeking to neutralize enemy combatants quickly.

However, the use of expanding bullets was controversial due to their extreme lethality and potential for causing excessive harm. In response to concerns about the inhumane nature of these bullets, the St. Petersburg Declaration of 1868 and the Hague Convention of 1899 were established. These international agreements sought to regulate the use of expanding bullets, prohibiting their use in warfare and combat situations. The rationale behind the ban was to limit the suffering and cruelty inflicted on combatants during armed conflicts.

It’s worth noting that while expanding bullets were banned for military use, they continue to be used in certain civilian applications, such as hunting and self-defense, where their ability to deliver quick and efficient energy transfer to the target is desired.

Overall, expanded or “Dum Dum” bullets played a role during World War II, but their use was limited and eventually prohibited by international conventions.