MG34/42 ammo can question.

[Frank Nick]

Hello all,

Could anyone tell me what the white painted numbers/letters mean? Also, any thoughts on the white or tan painted corner.

Thanks,
Frank

[Frank Nick]

Wa. mark and 1941 date;

[Time Bandit]

Serial No of the gun??

[me6_130]

Serial No of the gun??

That's what I'd say. If gunner's pouches and barrel carriers are sometimes numbered, why not ammo cans? It depends on how touchy the gun crew or officer might be.

Carles

[Frank Nick]

Thanks for your replies. It makes sense. I didn't think of that.

Thanks,
Frank

[timdp]

I would agree that the number would be the gun serial. The fact that its also marked with the white end possibly means that it held something other than ammo. Could have been oil/solvent, beltfiller or tools.

Have seen ammo cans marked "P" for petroleum, "G" for gurtfuller (beltfiller) and "E" for (I forget what that means) . A close look at wear patterns on the interior might give hints as to the original contents.

Tim

[Frank Nick]

I would agree that the number would be the gun serial. The fact that its also marked with the white end possibly means that it held something other than ammo. Could have been oil/solvent, beltfiller or tools.

Have seen ammo cans marked "P" for petroleum, "G" for gurtfuller (beltfiller) and "E" for (I forget what that means) . A close look at wear patterns on the interior might give hints as to the original contents.

Tim

Thanks again for the replies and info. Tim, I'll get my camera back later today. I'll try to post photos of the inside.

Regards,
Frank

[me6_130]

I would agree that the number would be the gun serial. The fact that its also marked with the white end possibly means that it held something other than ammo. Could have been oil/solvent, beltfiller or tools.

Have seen ammo cans marked "P" for petroleum, "G" for gurtfuller (beltfiller) and "E" for (I forget what that means) . A close look at wear patterns on the interior might give hints as to the original contents.

Tim

Hello Tim,

It is true that some ammo cans are used for other than ammo transport. These are usually marked with the capital letter to denote what it is carrying (E, G, P, V, Z) but they are boxes for accesoires at unit level (company generally) so they wouldn't have a serial number written on it. Some are also used as first aid boxes.

Carles

[uscob]

I would say, the Painting is for Vehicle use. I saw some different painted Cans before and was told that they're for easier detection of the content when stored in a Rack in a 251 for example.

[me6_130]

I would say, the Painting is for Vehicle use. I saw some different painted Cans before and was told that they're for easier detection of the content when stored in a Rack in a 251 for example.

Hello Nico,

Then you mean that the number painted is not the weapon serial and I imagine that the vehicle number plate either. Are you suggesting the is a special code for the contents in the boxes apart of the capital letters mentioned before?.

Carles

[uscob]

Hello Nico,

Then you mean that the number painted is not the weapon serial and I imagine that the vehicle number plate either. Are you suggesting the is a special code for the contents in the boxes apart of the capital letters mentioned before?.

Carles

I Would say so. I had some different Marked Cans in the Past, but never found out what they mean. I had them mostly in white but also in red, blue, yellow and green so I think it has something to do with a code system.

[me6_130]

I Would say so. I had some different Marked Cans in the Past, but never found out what they mean. I had them mostly in white but also in red, blue, yellow and green so I think it has something to do with a code system.

That's great news!! I believe I have a can with some stripes painted on it, I'll shoot some pics as it might be a case of those you mentioned.

Carles

[Time Bandit]

I have this E Tin with a number stencilled on it.




Also this early aluminium ammo can which has a number written on the inside.

[me6_130]

That's great news!! I believe I have a can with some stripes painted on it, I'll shoot some pics as it might be a case of those you mentioned.

Carles

Her are those I said:

It has a number in white in the central part of the can but to the right there are 2 stripes in white and apparently some other numbers have been obscured. On one short side some numbers in yellow have been obscured also.

[me6_130]

In these pics numbers are 826? in yellow.