ID on Ammo boxes.

[Jholl72]

Hi guys,
I picked these up at a flea market this weekend and was hoping someone might be able to clue me in as to what they were used for.
Thanks,
Jeff

[Jholl72]

closer shots of the markings.

[horsa]

The red/primer colored chest is the pattern used for 3-inch mortar bombs and for PIAT bombs (The II designation was when they modifed it for PIAT use also). It held two 3-bomb cardboard tube carriers.

The longer thin chest appears to be one used for five No 5 Anti-tank mines. If so, there would be a divider near one end and that is where the fuzes were kept. A shorter length version of that chest was what the 2-inch mortar bombs were carriered in.

Not sure on the largest one. Course most of these had numerous purposes as the war progressed and economic necessity forced more uses to be adopted for existing packaging.

[Clive_Dakers]

B.166 I
Size: Length 19.8" Breadth 9.1" Depth 13"

Used for:
3 in M.L. Mortar HE
3 in M.L. Mortar Smoke
3 in M.L. Mortar Chemical
3 in M.L. Mortar Practice

Number Packed: 6
Gross weight: 88 lbs

Grenades No. 73

Number Packed: 10
Gross weight: 62 lbs

Grenade No. 77

Number Packed: 34
Gross weight: 41 lbs

Grenade No. 79

Number Packed: 24
Gross weight: 56 lbs

Portfires, common

Number Packed: 200
Gross weight: - lbs

Bombs, P.I.A.T., H.E.
Bombs, P.I.A.T., Inert, practice

B.166 II (your red box)
Size: Length n/k Breadth n/k Depth n/k

Used for:
Grenades, No. 73

Number Packed: 10 + 1 tube of 10 detonators
Gross weight: 62lb approx

C.255
Size: Length 25.1" Breadth 16.4" Depth 10.8"

Used for:
5.5-in. B.L. gun Cartridges Charge 4

Number Packed: 6
Gross weight: 99.5 lbs

C.298 is not in my reference, could be a Canadian box that wasn't used in British service.

[Jholl72]

Hi David and Clive,
Thanks so much for the information your help is very much appreciated. Clive, what references are you using...anything online?

[Clive_Dakers]

The references I use are:
Regulations for Army Ordnance Services Part 6 Supply of Ammunition in the Field (8th August 1944)
Regulations for Army Ordnance Services Part 7 Pamphlet No. 1 An Introductory Survey of Ammunition (17th June 1944)
Regulations for Army Ordnance Services Part 7 Pamphlet No. 11 Small Arms Ammunition (24th February 1945)

My main reference is:
Royal Army Ordnance Corps Statistics Pamphlet No. 2 Weights and Measurements of Explosives (21st June 1943)

The reference as published isnt onlne but this link should show what I've been able to put together so far.