Peter, question on transit chests

[breakeyp]

I have seen, own or have references to the following transit chests:
Rifle, No. 1 and No. 4
Rifle No.4 (T)
Thompson smg
Vickers/Lewis
Bren
Bren tripod
2in Mortar
pistols (list of changes entry)

Are there transit chests for the following:

Boys Anti Tank gun
Vickers tripod

The era of the transit chest seems to be pre WWII.

Thanks, p.

Information

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[bigduke6]

Paul,

These pics maybe of help, a Vickers tripod transit chest, I did offer it to anyone who wants it but no takers.
Just used to store my lathe bits and chucks, the tripod was belonging to the Vickers I purchased many years ago, long gone now but chest remained as it was too big for the buyer.

[Peter Laidler]

No doubt there were chests for all of these things but I knoiw that the standard thing to do was that once they'd been unpacked, then return them to Ordnance. The exception being for the No4T chests where the rifle was usually kept.

However, from some years ago when the storeage system was privatised along commercial lines, when the unit got its kit in chests, it kept the chests because if you returned them to Ordnance - now a private commercial company don't forget - they charged the Government storeage! And empty chsts are just a good way of storeing fresh air!

In truth, you couldn't use the chests for anything else as a rule because they were full of grease and oil and stunk to high heaven too

[skiprat]

The era of the transit chest seems to be pre WWII.

today most of the operational weapons are issued in their own plastic "transit case". Even the Armourers tool kit comes in a large plastic chest. (really good for keeping your kit dry when camping at Beltring!)

[bigduke6]

In truth, you couldn't use the chests for anything else as a rule because they were full of grease and oil and stunk to high heaven too

Still some grease lying in the bottom of the chest in the pics, and a distinct smell.

[Peter Laidler]

As Skippy will confirm, most quartermasters are pulling their hair out trying to find places to keep these empty cases! E£specially those great mostrosities used to issue the grenade MG! plus another for the bloody tripod

I always felt that a lot of the transit/storeage chests were generic sizes because you'd find other chests, such as a carpenters kit would also come in an identical chest to a, say, Bren chest but with different intrernal fittings. Even down to the hinges, clasps and turnbuckles

[breakeyp]

Thanks all. I can relate to the storage problem. Storing near forty (T) and .22 cases can be a real pain.

[Lee Enfield]

Thanks all. I can relate to the storage problem. Storing near forty (T) and .22 cases can be a real pain.

I wish I felt your pain!

But....I'm only dealing with a bakers dozen and that's actually quite a lot.