5.5-in ammunition box?

Hanno Spoelstra · #1 05-01-09, 12:21

I own this ammunition box, but other than gleaning from the markings it once held 5.5-in ammo, I know nothing about it.

Who can give me some more details?

What do all the markings mean?

Thanks!
Hanno

edstorey · #2 05-01-09, 15:01

Hanno:

I believe what you have is a steel Box, C.224 Mk I and this will be embosed on the box lid, so that you will have to confirm.

The markings are as follows:

5.5 CARTs 4 in white is 5.5 Inch Cartridges, Charge 4

6 Cartridges in yellow - 6 cartridges, this is the charge propellant, in this case Charge 4. There are several different charges that can be used depending on the range required to send the shell to the target.

3 in circle in red - the Government Explsovie label

E in open ended square in yellow - Propellant Code Letter

B.L. 5.5 IN in yellow - Breach Loading 5.5 Inch

4th Charges 9 LB. 2 OZ WM. 108 in yellow - Charge 4 and the weight with the rest I cannot figure out, should be the mark could be the propellant lot number.

Pg/C 9/43 Mk I FOIL in yellow - Packing date September 1943 although I am not sure what Mk I FOIL is

O.C. 4194 in yellow - could be filling station initials

On the end - 6 Cartridges B.L. 5.5 IN in yellow - 6 cartridges of 5.5 inch Breach Loading ammuncition

4th Charges in yellow - charge 4

O.C. 4194 in yellow - filling station code

167 in white - packing serial number of box

Hope this helps,

ED

Clive_Dakers · #3 05-01-09, 19:35

It could be 1 of 2 boxes.

C.255 Length 25.1" Breadth 16.4" Depth 10.8" held 5.5-in. B.L. gun Cartridges Charge 4
or
C.224 Length 24.7" Breadth 15.25" Depth 10.125" 5.5-in. B.L. gun Cartridges 3rd and 4th Charge

Check the dimensions if the identifier isn't embossed on the lid.

Hanno Spoelstra · #4 05-01-09, 19:54

Ed, Clive,

The lid is embossed:

C224
Lay C / I 1942

Thanks for all the information, very helpful!

All I need to do now is find the matching 5.5-in gun . . .

Regards,
Hanno