I picked this up at a garage sale a few weeks ago. Just curious about how old it might be, and if the handles and hardware look original. Thanks.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...d8cee9_b-1.jpg
Printable View
I picked this up at a garage sale a few weeks ago. Just curious about how old it might be, and if the handles and hardware look original. Thanks.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...d8cee9_b-1.jpg
My best guess Korean War era.
My guess is more around the 1980s, looks in great shape (not conclusive), lot markings and that the M30 began replacing the M2 '4.2' in the early 1950s. Look for a loaded date. These were used and reused for decades which makes it hard to find the best date. I've always thought these were treated with fungicides which makes them hazardous to use as planters or to catch the smoke from while burning.
The box is made in 1983. The lot number is right there. I was 81mm mortar crew for a couple years and those boxes are exactly the same construction as the ones we had smoke and illum come in. It's correct, hardware and handles, markings... Lots of guys took them for tire chains, tools... Yes, they're treated. They were mostly returned and reused by the ammo wing.
Jim,
Some good burning there for Mortar Plt BBQ's me thinks :lol:
1974 or later. It has an NSN number on it and the USA began using them from 30 September 1974.
1315-00-007-4882-C699 stamped on the side of the box is the NSN for the box itself.
https://www.nsncenter.com/NSN/1315-00-007-4882
https://www.coursehero.com/file/ppb2...329A2-NSN-Box/