Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice WWII Issue "Packing box M1917" ammunition crate with a tinned steel liner 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 CARTRIDGES CAL. .30
5 RD. CLIPS BANDOLEERS

TIEGK (Stripper Clip Diagram)

112 LBS.                              
1.5 CU.FT. LOT D.M.  20604C

There is a shortened version of this on the right side of the box, while the lid just says SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION. 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 steel liner is in good condition, and cannot currently be removed The top was removed when it was opened long ago.

Overall condition is very good, showing wear commensurate with age and service. It still retains most of the threaded posts on the top to attach the lid, and even still has two of the original 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.