Ammo chest I've never seen before any ideas?

[GreenStar67]

I acquired a ammo chest that I have been unable to identify. It is

approximately 12-1/8 wide by 7-1/8 high by 10-1/4 deep and extremely

well built. It is constructed of steel .135 inches thick. The box is formed into

the rectangular shape with a full weld from top to bottom where the edges meet.

There is a separate plate on the bottom, that contains an inset cross stiffening

rib the connection of the bottom plate is a full weld along the four bottom

edges. The lid is heavily reinforced with two stiffening ribs from front to

back. the lid is permanently attached by two heavy duty hinges that open to what

I call the back. There are two heavy duty toggle type latches on the two

front corners that pull the gasketed lid down very securely. On the two apposing

ends there are 2-1/8 by 4-3/8 square handles formed from 5/16 steel rod. The exterior is in excellent condition,

it is olive drab with yellow marking as follows:

 

1305-13-102-6262

860

.30 BALL CTN

LOT-56C-FN57

KG 30

DM3 17,1

PACG

 

The lot number and PACG markings are also repeated on the sides

 

The assumptions I made:

 

860 is the number of rounds

.30 Ball - I'm thinking based on the size .30-06?

 

In my honest opinion the construction is overkill for just holding standard

small arms ammunition unless it had a specific long term storage purpose.

When I picked it up it had some very sticky black coating on the exterior,

thinking this was some form of rust preventative and after many hours of

solvent and q-tips I was to remove it and underneath was pristine paint and

markings. [attachment=914109:DSC00414-1.jpg][attachment=914110:DSC00416-1.jpg][attachment=914111:DSC00421-1.jpg][attachment=914114:DSC00418-1.jpg][attachment=914115:DSC00417-1.jpg]

[WW2JAKE]

could it be a french can?

[Sully]

I think it is Belgian. The FN for Fabrique Nationale de Herstal.

[RustyCanteen]

That is definitely a western European can, and I believe Sully is correct on the ID. FN produced .30-06 (with headstamps dating to the late 1950s) were around at shows into the early 2000s before drying up. The bandoleers were the typical 5-pocket design, but manufactured with a very coarse loose weave yellow/tan cloth.

 

The can would be a European design, and not a US one.

 

RC

[taucco]

it's the "13" on the NSN that identifies it as Belgian.

[GreenStar67]

Thanks for the responses I have a beter idea of what It is now. I'll probably just hang on to it for a while, like everything else:)