Mk 1 UC Stowage bin with lid

[stephen crowhurst]

It is in the manual as Bin-Ammunition but dose not state what type.

[stephen crowhurst]

Trouble uploading.

[derk derin]

Yes, it’s definitely for .303 British ammunition and I always thought it was for the loose rounds packed in the cardboard cartons but the cartons I have of blank rounds seem too big to fit in the metal bin.
Hope somebody can shed some light on the proper contents of the metal bin.
Thanks,Derk

[rob love]

I wonder if bin 45 (next to the driver with the lid) might fit Boyes rifle ammo on bandoleers.
Most of the bins are reasonable tight with little wastage of space or metal. An example is the Bren Auxilery pouches which will fit into some of the bins. They are quite snug, but a perfect fit.

[stephen crowhurst]

There were several different types of packaging. If I remember correctly, a 10 round packet tied up with string, a 32 round box, and 48 round box, so may have been for one of them. I have also seen a 20 round box but that may have been post war.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by stephen crowhurst

There were several different types of packaging. If I remember correctly, a 10 round packet tied up with string, a 32 round box, and 48 round box, so may have been for one of them. I have also seen a 20 round box but that may have been post war.

Everybody sing!

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things"

[JordanWayneVoce]

as far as i can tell the half section of the gunner/ commanders ammo stowage bin is slightly wider than the other to accommodate 16 - 18 bandoliers of boys rifle ammo, the brown canvas pouch further forward was to hold 2 pre loaded magazines for the boys

[derk derin]

Yes, thanks to you Rob I finally found out what those bins were for. It was nice to finally fill them! 20 years later and I’m still finding out information on my carrier. Will probably take another 20 years to complete it!
Derk

[Tom Millward]

To my knowledge metal bren ammo boxes were only used for transport if ammunition to forward troops, under the CQMS it would have been swapped over to webbing containers, hence the bin in the Gunner’s left should be filled with the Webbing Auxiliary pouches also. Picture getting that box out in a hurry, scrabbling for more Bren Ammunition.

Incidentally I have some spare cross straps to link those pouches if you want some.

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Tom Millward

To my knowledge metal bren ammo boxes were only used for transport if ammunition to forward troops, under the CQMS it would have been swapped over to webbing containers, hence the bin in the Gunner’s left should be filled with the Webbing Auxiliary pouches also. Picture getting that box out in a hurry, scrabbling for more Bren Ammunition.

Incidentally I have some spare cross straps to link those pouches if you want some.

I see posed images showing a Bren gunner being supported by his #2, the #2 installing fresh magazines direct onto the gun from the metal stowage chest, all the while being on the carrier engine cover top armoured plate.