thebearpack Posted July 9, 2015 Share #1 Posted July 9, 2015 I picked this up from a fellow collector and haven't seen another like it. It's a WWII era M1912 squad kit case still in its grease paper wrapping. It's never been out of the paper but because of the way the wrap is covering the box, I can peek in on one end and verify that the box looks pristine. Anyone have a guess at its current value? Are there a lot out there? Just hoping it's worth what I paid. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebearpack Posted July 9, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted July 9, 2015 By the way, it's the case only. No contents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted July 9, 2015 Share #3 Posted July 9, 2015 I'd wait for Fausto to comment, but are the parts in the box? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebearpack Posted July 9, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted July 9, 2015 I wish it was full but unfortunately, it's just the metal case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve1987 Posted July 9, 2015 Share #5 Posted July 9, 2015 I'm a little suspicious for a couple reasons; All the cleaning kits came fully stocked as far as I know. Why would this kit be empty? I've never seen another wrapped kit, and the wrapping/text gives me a bad feeling. If this item was very expensive I'd be tempted to return it and buy a fully stocked kit instead, which are still available for not too much money. Just my opinion - I hope someone will prove me wrong! -Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted July 9, 2015 Share #6 Posted July 9, 2015 The last full kit I saw sell on ebay (in the past month or so) went for close to $500. I wasn't that interested as I have full kits for both WWI and WWII, and an empty box which I still haven't decided what to do (cost me $10 at the local flea market). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebearpack Posted July 10, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted July 10, 2015 Thanks guys. I hope it's not a fantasy piece. Maybe someone will be able to shed some light on it. I do agree with thorin6 though: it seems like beat up empty cases are going for $50+ online and partial kits are hitting $350 or more pretty easily. I wish I could find full kits at reasonable pieces but no joy in this area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinb Posted July 10, 2015 Share #8 Posted July 10, 2015 I don't like the terminology on the wrapper. "Kit" to me would indicate that it was a full kit. An empty box would read Box, Empty, Pistol Cleaning, M1912. That is if they actually came in paper wrappers like this one. Most likely the wrapper would have a secondary label glued to it instead of being printed directly on the paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebearpack Posted July 10, 2015 Author Share #9 Posted July 10, 2015 Okay, I checked with my collector friend to get the whole back story and now I know it's the real deal. He got it (and another just like it) from the estate of a WWII vet who must have been an armorer because he had lots of other tools too. Among the other items was a sealed set of M1912 tools that would go inside the case. He had Bill Ricca check out the items and he agrees that they're legit. Bill said the manufacturer would ship the case and the tool set separately instead of having the tools bouncing around inside the case. The armorer would then unpack everything and fill the kits. That makes sense to me. Anyway, here is the hang tag that's on the other case. I'll ask for a picture of the tool roll too so you guys can see it. I've never seen another but now I guess the search is on for a sealed tool set to match my case. The tag is hard to read but it says: Part Name: Kit, Pistol Cleaning M1912 (without contents) For: Springfield Ordnance District ORD. DRWG. or PCE MK. No. 20-20-6 Item Code: No. B16-01-00221 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebearpack Posted July 10, 2015 Author Share #10 Posted July 10, 2015 Correction: there is not a single tool roll but individual tool/tools in wrap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinb Posted July 11, 2015 Share #11 Posted July 11, 2015 Years ago I had a full box of the cleaning rods. They were all individually wrapped in red cellophane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fausto Posted July 11, 2015 Share #12 Posted July 11, 2015 Hello! Thanks, thorin6, for the confidence in my knowledge... Nothing to add to what Bill Ricca said. Your kit, thebearpack, is 100% legit and it is a nice addition to any collection of 1911 pistols ancillaries. If you don't want to unwrap it, here a picture of what it looks like. These kits were sent empty. All the content - rods, screwdrivers, bore brushes, part can and oiler - were made and sent from different makers. Many WWI wooden insert kits were refurbished before/during WWII painting them in OD color or black. These welded iron insert kits were made during WWII. The late Chuck Clawson mentions in his "great" book a post WWII M1912 Cleaning Kit, identical to the previous model but for the thinner and lighter sheet iron , but, up today, I have never seen one not even in picture. Fausto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebearpack Posted July 11, 2015 Author Share #13 Posted July 11, 2015 Fantastic, thank you Fausto! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strand-holm Posted April 26, 2019 Share #14 Posted April 26, 2019 thebearpack: Just saw this interesting conversation. I have been looking exactly for this "M1912 Squad Kit Case, NIW" With no offence, should you still possess it and decide to part with it, I would be most interested. It is beautiful and we can't find stuff like this up here north. All the best from Denmark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1563621 Posted April 28, 2019 Share #15 Posted April 28, 2019 I bought a NIW for 150.00 last year. Filled it and sold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strand-holm Posted April 28, 2019 Share #16 Posted April 28, 2019 Hello! Thanks, thorin6, for the confidence in my knowledge... Nothing to add to what Bill Ricca said. Your kit, thebearpack, is 100% legit and it is a nice addition to any collection of 1911 pistols ancillaries. If you don't want to unwrap it, here a picture of what it looks like. These kits were sent empty. All the content - rods, screwdrivers, bore brushes, part can and oiler - were made and sent from different makers. Many WWI wooden insert kits were refurbished before/during WWII painting them in OD color or black. These welded iron insert kits were made during WWII. The late Chuck Clawson mentions in his "great" book a post WWII M1912 Cleaning Kit, identical to the previous model but for the thinner and lighter sheet iron , but, up today, I have never seen one not even in picture. Fausto Hello Fausto, What a beautiful case NIW. I assume from your collection. I am trying to find one in similar condition. Thanks for sharing! Anders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arisaka99 Posted September 3, 2022 Share #17 Posted September 3, 2022 Thanks for this great reference. Picked this up today; disappointed to find out it is likely empty inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1563621 Posted September 4, 2022 Share #18 Posted September 4, 2022 Yes, Now that the collectors are getting older they are letting go of collections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccyooper Posted September 10, 2022 Share #19 Posted September 10, 2022 There was a collector selling these at the SOS brand new in the wrap like yours. They were just the boxes. A friend bought 5 I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strand-holm Posted September 10, 2022 Share #20 Posted September 10, 2022 Is it possible to get one of these in wrap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strand-holm Posted September 11, 2022 Share #21 Posted September 11, 2022 On 9/4/2022 at 1:14 AM, Arisaka99 said: Thanks for this great reference. Picked this up today; disappointed to find out it is likely empty inside. Congrat Arisaka99. What a beautilul box. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john k Posted September 22, 2022 Share #22 Posted September 22, 2022 WW1 version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john k Posted September 22, 2022 Share #23 Posted September 22, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john k Posted September 22, 2022 Share #24 Posted September 22, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arisaka99 Posted September 23, 2022 Share #25 Posted September 23, 2022 Wow Wow Wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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