Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting original late-war German WWII Luftwaffe ammunition box constructed from pressed paper Ersatz material and intended for 3.7cm Flak 43 ammunition. Particularly notable are the surviving Soviet inventory or storage labels applied after capture, showing that the box continued in use after falling into Soviet hands.

By the later years of WWII, Germany increasingly relied on substitute materials for military equipment as shortages of leather, wood, metals, and other strategic materials became more severe. The German term Ersatz simply means “substitute,” and wartime pressed fiber or paper products are a particularly recognizable manifestation of this economy-driven production.

This ammunition box is a great example of that late-war construction. Rather than being made from conventional wood or metal, the body is formed from dense pressed paper or fiber material designed to serve the same basic purpose while conserving more critical resources.

The 3.7cm Flak 43 was a late-war German light anti-aircraft gun derived from the earlier 3.7cm Flak 18, 36, and 37 family. It entered service in 1944 and was used in both single and twin configurations, the latter known as the 3.7cm Flakzwilling 43. The weapon also appeared as the principal armament of vehicles including the Ostwind and Möbelwagen self-propelled anti-aircraft systems.

The handle side of the box retains portions of its original Luftwaffe stenciling. One of the later Soviet labels partly obscures the German markings, but the remaining text appears to have originally read approximately:

Luftwaffe-Munition
Gesamtgew.
Nicht hochkant öffnen
und nicht kanten

The wording refers to Luftwaffe ammunition, total weight, and handling instructions for the container.

Two Soviet labels are retained. The label on the handle side is heavily worn and largely illegible. A second label was attached to the opposite side and is considerably clearer, although its surviving text appears to relate primarily to later storage or inventory use rather than identifying the original German contents.

These post-capture markings are an especially interesting feature. They indicate that the box was not simply abandoned at the end of German service, but was taken into Soviet possession and apparently retained for further storage or logistical use.

The handle side is also stamped:

jjj

This maker code is attributed to Görlitzer Koffer- & Lederwarenfabrik Neuhaus KG, a manufacturer known for producing military leather goods, ammunition equipment, and related articles.

Condition is very good considering both wartime use and subsequent Soviet handling. The pressed-paper body remains surprisingly solid and well preserved. There is substantial age and service wear throughout, particularly around the leather carrying handle.

The principal condition issue is the handle, which has broken away at one of the four points where it was originally attached. The leather itself shows heavy wear, drying, and age, but much of it remains present.

The box measures approximately 16 3/4 x 9 1/4 x 10 inches.

The combination of late-war Ersatz construction, Luftwaffe markings, 3.7cm Flak association, maker code, and surviving Soviet capture or storage labels makes this much more interesting than a standard ammunition container. It is an excellent example of a German military item that continued its service life after capture on the Eastern Front.