Information please

[ron]

Hi Guys,
Are there any Aust carrier men out there who can tell me or post pics of the ammo box that fits into the amunition box frame & bracket assy,part number 586/4,as per page number 9, in the manual list of spare parts carrier M G Aust thank you,
Regards, Ron

[Pedr]

This is the box you are asking about. Each box holds eight magazines and two more magazines sit in the front two spots of the rack, so that they can be easily used without having to open the chest.

[ron]

Hi Pedr,
Many thanks for your prompt reply to my question,I knew what the two pockets at the front of the frame was for, but I must confess that I had no idea what went in the larger part of the frame, just goes to proove that you can always teach an old dog new tricks, I have been involved with carriers since about 1965, hell time flys,and never gave this a thought before, the next question is do you know of a box for sale? I am not interested in the magazines at all just a box to buy and complete one of my carriers,
Once again many thanks for your help.
Best regards,Ron

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Ron

Here again one has to look at the different manuals to determine the correct box for the era. The first image taken from the 2/3/43 List of Spare Parts depicts the bracket you described, Part No. 586/4. As can be seen, by this date this part had been cancelled.

The second image depicts this bracket positioned in the offside rear compartment front end. As can be seen this is also the position nominated for the radio/battery assemblies. The ammunition box contained in this bracket appears to be of wooden construction given that a rope handle can be seen protruding between the ammunition box and Rations and Cooking Utensils Boxes. It can also see that provision is made for two loose Lewis magazines to be stored along the length of the box.

The third image depicts the new location for either the Lewis or Bren ammunition box and this is in the rear compartment, nearside and central. You can also see that the position for loose magazines is now on the end of the box/bracket. The box also appears to be of metal construction as depicted in Pedr’s post.

The August 1943 Spare Parts Catalogue has Part 586/4 listed but being made up of Part No. 586-2 Bracket, Spare Magazine (1) and Part No. 586-1, Frame, Ammunition Box (1). It further states that Part No. 586-3 Riser (2) (welded to mudguard) is not included. I don’t understand this as mudguards don’t carry anything but the headlights. As I don’t have a 1941 Spare Parts Identification List (7B) I cannot tell whether that Ammunition Box Frame and Bracket Assembly was made up of sub-components as was the 1943 one. Possibly the Part Number was retained even though the frame construction was changed.

Bob

[Justin Pollard]

Hello All,
there is actually one of these boxes,i think on OZtion at the moment
still full of the magazines,but it is expensive.no affiliation etc.

Justin.

[Rob Beale]

586/1 Frame, ammo box, Lewis
586/2 Bracket, spare mag, Lewis, assy
comprises:
586/2A Bracket
586/2B Block, hardwood, 8 1/4 x 1 1/4 x 1 3/8 (2 off)
586/3 Riser, bracket

No mention of the mudguard Bob, but that is the horizontal piece of the hull above the tracks. They call the front guards the "front splasher"

I found that a wooden SAA crate fits the bracket nicely too.
I haven't tried a Lewis mag box - only just realised what they are!

Rob