Patronenkasten 15, ammunition box : MG34 and MG42

Rectangular ammunition box of welded and pressed steel construction. The box is finished in original wartime dark green paint and the lid has been impressed with a small eagle and swastika. Each end of the box has impressed recesses to accommodate the square steel rod carry handles. Fitted above one of these handles is a rivetted curved plate which forms the lower part of the securing mechanism for the lid. The tapering rectangular lid is hinged at one end and has impressed recesses in the centre and at one end to protect the carry handle and securing latch respectively. The main carrying handle is made from 8mm steel rod which is rivetted to the centre of the lid and offset to one side. The securing latch is 'bottle opener' shaped and sits flush in the pressed recess when the lid is secured. The three steel carry handles all have stitched leather coverings.

This type of ammunition box, known as a 'Patronenkasten', was based on the Type 15 case which was introduced into service with the Imperial German Army during the First World War. Designed to hold a 250 round steel belt of 7.92mm x 57mm ammunition, production continued into and beyond the Second World War. The main carry handle is deliberately offset to one side, so that two like boxes can be carried in one hand at the same time. Each loaded box weighed a little over 10 kilograms and the expectation of the German Army was that four boxes, totalling 1,000 rounds, could be carried by one man. The same style of ammunition box supplied the MG08, MG34 and MG42 type machine guns.