.30 and .50 calibre ammo cans (Canadian)

[Michael Dorosh]

Just curious how the Canadians distributed .30 and .50 calibre ammunition in armoured units in WW II.

Was the ammo delivered in American metal cans?

Did the Canadians manufacture their own?

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Mike, see the following link referred to me by Stu Loy:

http://www.dana-nield.com/aa/referen...I/canadian.asp

If ever you find white 30 and 50 cal. tins (Fox type) I'd sure like to know, if even for a pattern.

[Wpns 421]

When I worked at 25 CFSD in Mtl as a technical inspection I came across some triwalls that were marked ammo boxes. Inside the triwall boxes were ammuntion boxes 30 cal linked. The boxes were dated into the 1940's, we had over 100,000. We sent them for disposal, I don;t know if these were the boxes during WWII but they seemed like it. FYI or more UFI

The boxes were made of wood

[Ed Storey]

Mike:

The study of how ordnance was manufactured and distributed is something that has not recieved a lot of research. Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom produced a vast array of ordnance for all three services and each service had its own specific way of packaging and supplying the ammunition to the user. As far as packaging is concerned it appears from my study that both the U.S. and the U.K. each had their own methods of packaging and as far as the Canada is concerned, during WWII it tended towards the British system. As for .30 and .50 cal ammunition for the Canadian Army in NW Europe, documentation and photographs show that the ammunition was supplied in U.S. manufactured metal boxes. I believe the boxes were delivered in wire re-enforced plywood crates that look similar to the ones used today for SA ammunition.

Here is an M1 .30 cal Box.




The M2 .50 cal Box.

[derk derin]

Ed,
I have in my collection of .50 cal stuff a wooden ammo box made like the wooden .303 vickers boxes but this one is wider and will fit a full belt of .50 cal in it.The wooden top is missing but the bottom is stamped;
H51 CMK
DLDC-45
The box construction is thin plywood (3 ply) with metal edging and wire handles and wire hooks that fold in to hold the wooden top. I don't know what country made the box but the vickers boxes are the same construction.
Derk.

[Ed Storey]

Your H51 is a Commonwealth box, most likely British or Canadian, that was manufactured in 1945. Generally these wooden boxes could be used to carry different types of SAA either boxed, bandoliers or belted and were used just like the Canadian military now use the M2A1 boxes for different types of SAA. The H51s were shipped two inside a metal H50 box which was also stenciled with the appropriate contents. Depending on the contents, there could also be a metal insert for the H51.

I believe (am pretty sure) that you will not see .30 nor .50 US ammunition delivered in these boxes; although in the field someone may transfer a belt over to this type of box (for whatever reason) and of course this could turn up in a photo.

[Clive_Dakers]

Originally Posted by derk derin

Ed,
I have in my collection of .50 cal stuff a wooden ammo box made like the wooden .303 vickers boxes but this one is wider and will fit a full belt of .50 cal in it.The wooden top is missing but the bottom is stamped;
H51 CMK
DLDC-45
The box construction is thin plywood (3 ply) with metal edging and wire handles and wire hooks that fold in to hold the wooden top. I don't know what country made the box but the vickers boxes are the same construction.
Derk.

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/h-51-t27507.html

Follow the link for pictures of the H.51 2 x H.51 were contained in an H.50 and contained an H.52 tin box

It was developed for use as "Jungle Pack". The are a few other boxes that have the same type of construction, G.114 for example which I believe held grenades.

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

Mike, see the following link referred to me by Stu Loy:

http://www.dana-nield.com/aa/referen...I/canadian.asp

If ever you find white 30 and 50 cal. tins (Fox type) I'd sure like to know, if even for a pattern.

Hi Bruce..
I thought this would give you a little inspiration of achievement for the next gather up with your Fox..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58rdYkc5y7I

Lots of fun..!!

[Dirk Leegwater (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Michael Dorosh

Did the Canadians manufacture their own?

Yes I think so, see the pictures of an orginal 30 cal. ammo box for our "Canadian" FOX.

Mvg. Dirk

[Ed Storey]

Any idea what this box is for?

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

...and I'd give it a good home if it was surplus to you needs.

Bruce

Originally Posted by edstorey

Any idea what this box is for?

[Ed Storey]

A vehicle mounted Vickers?

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Could be either. Often the linked belts came in wooden boxes similar to the regular .303 rifle ammunition.

Bruce

Originally Posted by edstorey

A vehicle mounted Vickers?

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Dirk, I think your 30 cal. box is unique to Canadian Fox. It seems to be patterned after the British Besa Box.

Can you see any trace of black lettering on your box? The Fox 50 cal. box was stenciled "50 CAL." on the front and it follows that the 30 cal. box would have similar markings. Is there any sign of lettering on the front or the top? Maybe both?

Bruce

Originally Posted by Dirk Leegwater

Yes I think so, see the pictures of an orginal 30 cal. ammo
box for our "Canadian" FOX.

Mvg. Dirk