That is a very rare can indeed.My first was a M17 from 1943, inherited from my dad. This is the most uncommon can I have
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If you put the wood crate back together without the ends, it made a great toilet to put over a cat hole.Two of the ".50 cans" used to come in a chicken crate like affair each filled with 880 rounds of M193 5.56mm Ball sometimes. I would rip a part the thin wood crate portion and split it into popsicle sized strips and carry a small wad as fire starting tender. Not everyone had access to Heximine tabs or Esbit (commercial German heat tabs that often came with a little pocket stove, if I could make a small wood fire I saved then tabs for wetter weather). When it is 34 degrees F and 100 percent humidity, warm C-rats could really make life better. Also used those crates to start over head cover with, mainly for protection from the weather. Some folks paved their fighting position floors with them or shored up the walls of their holes. Some guys ripped the wire off them for use as ties in shelter building.
Empty ammo cans in the field got used for storing cigs and pogie-bait in. Saw one used for making hot water in for instant Coffee and such. They were trying to use the lid as a handle. Later in the evening the lid seal started to melt then burn and it smelled awful! No thanks, that's why Uncle Suger gave me a canteen cup!
-kBob
Here are the crates I was referring to. They are used for packing ammo cans.Thanks, Coaltrain49! I kinda figgured you and Gunny myself were the only ones that collected wooden ammo crates. They make good kindling, but whooda' thought to make a latrine out of one? There are too many slivers to make that appealing to me.
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With box weights of 50 to 70 pounds for just two rounds, I can now appreciate the terrible logistics problem that artillery people had in keeping supplied. Someone also had to bust butt in loading/unloading truckfulls of this stuff.
On the other hand, Gunny,,,,, everyone could have a private commode?
Distinct advantage in that one's BiL is less likely to try and sneak a Cohiba or Partegas Nr 1 out of that box []Ammo cans are absolutely perfect for cigar storage.
However, there is something different about this one. It is lined with Spanish cedar and holds the fruits of my other expensive hobby.
Ammo cans are absolutely perfect for cigar storage.
You're running very low on ammo.
Gun show today in Cadillac, MI. The Gunny has more cans than anyone, but I have to show you my new one. This is super clean and was $22.
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I have three other cans that have graced my ammo dump for years. One of them I have questions about.
This can:
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Might have been re-painted by me many years ago as it has no original markings.(I am so old that my memory fails me.) I hope it is an ammo can antique. It has 6 latches about it's circumference. The ammo can guy at the gun show says it's probably a NAVY can. Do any of you have any info on this hopefully old ammo can?
Alas the handle is missing on mine, and the bottom had a bit of rust so I painted the bottom with RustoleumThat is a very rare can indeed.
Take that to an MG or military vehicle restoration meet, and you'd get drools and cash offers.
Bravo.