Saturday, May 31, 2014

Logistics: This is an article from a year ago, but it is a timeless testament to the durability of USGI ammunition cans.

Wisconsin family discovers fully-stocked fallout shelter in their back yard 50 years after it was installed at the height of the Cold War.
The boxes, old military ammunition crates, contained markings that suggested there might be explosives inside, so the family called the local branch of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Agents opened the crates to find... Hawaiian Punch.
Here's what the cans likely looked like when purchased as surplus:
This chest was labeled “11 AP PROJ MK 29 MOD 2, EMPTY, CU FT 1, 50 LBS”. It measures 15-1/4 X 12 X 14-1/2, has 4 clamps (one on each side), two handles and a rubber gasket. Boxes of this type were also used to ship fuses. Boxes of similar design but of different sizes were used for other types of ammunition. This is, I believe, a can for naval 20mm cannon ammunition.
And here is a reference guide to other types of ammunition cans. (Click on links labelled "Ammo Box - World War 2" and "Ammo Box - Post World War 2" for more.)

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

They called the ATF because the cans still had the warning stickers? I wonder what the crusty old coot that stashed away these supplies would think of the wimps that replaced him on earth (at least physically). SMH!

Anonymous said...

I would have considered such a find on my property a major blessing from God and no way in HELL would I have called ATF, FBI, DOJ, the Boy Scouts or any one else.
These people are idiots of the first order and you can bet the ATF opened a really comprehensive file on them as "domestic terrorists".

Anonymous said...

I dug up 14 50cal ammo cans on a job site that were buried in the 50's sometime and filled with home canned bread and pasta sauce. Everything including the bread looked ok. No way Id eat it but the bread was even still soft and spongy. The jars were collectable and I got a good penny for them.

Anonymous said...

Was the top photo from the same story? If so, did they really feel they would need a phone directory after the SHTF? Talk about optimism.

SWIFT said...

Called the ATF? Oh my. The entire family must be a box of hammers. Sadly, they are legion.

Anonymous said...

I have a question, how many people reading this blog would call a government agency if you found a fall-out shelter in your backyard full of old ammo cans?

The question I also have is did the original builder plan on drainage for his bunker?

Maybe I’m wrong here but if that shelter was built properly I don’t think it should have flooded.

P.S> Does anyone know where we can buy those larger cans. I would love to have source for the larger cans.

Dutchman6 said...

The phone directory was likely put in as substitute toilet paper that fit the available space. Note that each can is filled to the maximum extent possible.

Anonymous said...

The phone directory could not only have served as toilet paper, but had a list of addresses for all the people and businesses in town. Even if their phones didn't work anymore it might be handy to know where all the sporting goods stores were or what ol' Doc. Smith's home address was.