German Paratrooper Drop Container

[SweSA]

Hello All.

Does anyone here know what orginally was in this container?
It was used in Dombås/Norway 14 april 1940.

Thanks
SweSA

[SweSA]

2

[SweSA]

3

[SweSA]

Know that there was rifles there as showed in these pictures, but what else?

Thanks
SweSA

[SweSA]

5

[Ardennes]

What leads you to believe it's a German Paratrooper item? The configuration is not like the standard waffenhalter - if German could it be a standard re-supply container?? The "can" at the bottom seems reminiscent of a vehicle weapon oil can.

Is the painted side the back?? are there any markings or stamps?

[SweSA]

What leads you to believe it's a German Paratrooper item? The configuration is not like the standard waffenhalter - if German could it be a standard re-supply container?? The "can" at the bottom seems reminiscent of a vehicle weapon oil can.

Is the painted side the back?? are there any markings or stamps?

This item belongs to a fellow Norwegian collector, and this was the only information he had about this item.

Here is the rest of the pictures.

Thanks
SweSA

[SweSA]

x

[SweSA]

xx

[SweSA]

xxx

[Ben]

Very nice! Early pre-war style drop cannister

[Willi Z.]

Amazing! I was checking my Waffenbehalter manual (dated 1942), but could find nothing on this early one.

Looks like a nice 33/40 as well!

[SweSA]

So no ides about what have been in it?

Thanks
SweSA

[Ardennes]

Pre-war? Wow - I assume we are talking very early, perhaps Fallschirm-Infantrie days?

[Ron V]

While no expert on this subject, I certainly am a student of it. I believe I've seen photos of their use as late as the Crete operation. They seem to precede the issuance of the MP38 as the stowge illustrations depict a machine pistol with perforated barrel shroud, possibly an MP28. The box at the base was intended to carry 10 32 round magazines. A 98K was also stowed on this side along with bandoliers, spades and smoke cannisters. The other side was similarly rigged along with the addition of grenades and other equipment.

Another version of these cylindrical drop cannisters was intended for the MG 34 and it's necessities, including 5 ammo boxes.

A third version carried three carbines, mapcase, flare pistol with ammunition, shovels, bandoliers and three cases of light mortae ammo.

Presumeably, these cannisters could be rigged to carry anything that fit
so long as the contents matched the maximum payload.

I'll scan these pages if anyone wants to post them here.

Cheers,
Ron Volstad