Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice WWII Issue "Packing box M1917" ammunition crate for filled 5 round stripper clips of .30-06 in bandoliers, as used by the M1903 Springfield Rifle. While the M1 Garand was the main service rifle during WWII, there were many M1903 Springfield rifles still in use, especially for specialized roles such as snipers. The front of the crate still bears the original packing information from when it was repacked:

1500 CART. CAL.30
BALL M2
5 RD. CLIPS IN BAND.
TIEGK (Stripper Clip Diagram)

114 LBS. REPACKED LOT
1.5 CU.FT. DEN. C 84015

There is a shortened version of this on the left side of the box, as well as on the lid, so this is a matching set. The crate measures approximately 18"W × 14 ½"H × 9 ½"D, and is constructed using finger joint corners. It is painted OD green, indicating mid-late war production, with the markings stenciled in yellow, and bears the ordnance "flaming bomb" on the lower right front. The interior is not painted, but the bottom is marked with the crate manufacturer information:

WOODEN BOX MF'D BY
THE NEW ENGLAND BOX CO.
WINCHESTER, N.H.

Overall condition is very good, with the main discrepancy being that the fastening hardware for the lid is completely missing, both the threaded studs and the wing nuts. Also, as shown clearly in the pictures, the crate is empty.

Ready to add to your collection and display!

Pre-war and early-war ammo packing boxes were made of stained wood with black-painted lettering. Mid- to late-war packing boxes were painted Olive Drab brown with white or yellow lettering that used the item's AIC code and a system of symbols to indicate the contents at a glance. The caliber, ammunition type and model (e.g., Caliber .30 Ball M1) were in the upper center field in bold lettering. The number of units (i.e., how many bullets or shells there were per box) and packing information (i.e., whether it was in cartons, bandoleers or belts) were on the two lines below it. The caliber (CAL .45, CAL .30, or CAL .50) was painted in bold lettering in the upper left corner. The gross weight of the box in pounds and its volume in cubic feet was painted in the lower left corner and the Ammunition Lot information (manufacturer code and lot number) was painted in the lower right corner.