Vintage Rifle Crate Identification - WWI ??

[barkerka]

I have recently acquired this rifle crate thinking it would be great to store my extra Garands, however after trying them in the box, the box is too long to accommodate the butt and muzzle. Too long for 1903's and to short for 1941 Johnsons.

Does anyone have any idea what was shipped in this crate? Could the "2 16" stenciled on the side be a date??

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Information

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[Peter Laidler]

The 2 and 16 relate to the weight(?). 2 Qrts 16 lbs. I know that there's only 14 lbs per stone but it only goes up in those weight graduations. So in this case, it would need to be over 28lbs before you moved over and added an extra Qrt.

If you don't get a better idea, I would weigh the box and lid and THEN deduct that weight from the 2-16. Then divide the weight x 5. That'll give you the weight of each rifle that was inside the box.

Can't you just tell that I used to teach physics........?

[AZPhil]

Enfield??
Is that a gas trap M1????

Semper Fi
Phil

[Eaglelord17]

Maybe Krags? I honestly have no clue just a wild guess.

[RCS]

It is a repro gas trap M1 rifle, you can by the sharp edges on the parts plus the uniform color. Your box might fit the Browning Model 1918 with the flash hider or else a shotgun of some type

[RT Ellis]

What the crate appears to me is it originally contained ammunition of some kind, hence the "Lot 2", that someone modified into a rifle box. All the rifle boxes I have seen had provision for at least two layers and were intended to carry 20 rifles, some had provision for a like number of bayonets. Furthermore the boxes were clearly marked with the arsenal of origin, and the type rifle contained in the crate. If the crate is as I suggested originally for something else, that is why your rifles are not fitting in the crate.

[barkerka]

Thanks for the comments guys - there are some good points to ponder - If I could only read under the black paint.. there are more markings that have been covered over.

...Yes - it is a gas trap, the trap, barrel, keystone springs, and stock are reproduction... I will change them out as original parts surface. What else does one do with an unemployed low serial number receiver (49,xxx).

[RCS]

It took me many years to find an original gas trap barrel, the gas cylinder and keystone springs were around and I had wood from the "barnwood" in Wisc, it all took time, but nowdays it would be really difficult to find the rare partsAttachment 56828Attachment 56829Attachment 56830Attachment 56831Attachment 56834

[RCS]

It took me many years to find an original gas trap barrel, the gas cylinder and keystone springs were around and I had wood from the "barnwood" in Wisc, it all took time, but nowdays it would be really difficult to find the rare partsAttachment 56828Attachment 56829Attachment 56830Attachment 56831

---------- Post added at 12:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:19 PM ----------

Last photo was mixed in from my 35K rifle with the no-trap stock converted to use the trap door. Attempted to delete it but did not work out RS

[browningautorifle]

If I could only read under the black paint

A cloth and some acetone carefully wiped along the stain of black paint will disclose what you seek. You'll have to work at it and you'll eventually be able to make it out. Too much and it will all be gone.