.50 Cal Ammo Can...Full of S&W !

[sgtcarr]

It has taken me a while to complete this grouping. I found the ammo can after my wife's grandmother had passed away. Previously, after grandpa has died years before, grandma had sold off any firearms of value thru a gun shop on consignment.

The box contained the .22 and the .38 serial numbers 669728 and 292318 respectively. I'd appreciate any info on models and dates for those if possible!

I believe this box was put together in 1941 based upon his sales receipts. And he was competition bullseye shooting during that era, so this was his range box for the 3 calibers of revolvers.

I knew that he had a 1917 Commercial based on the half-moon clips in the walnut tray and also on the template of the pistol butt in the bottom of the box.

After a bit of a hunt, I acquired the perfect .45 which was delivered over the holidays. It left the factory in Feb 1941. (the factory letter gives a long history of the Model 1917, then specifics on this revolver in the last paragraph)

 

[DWalt]

669728 would indicate a pre-WWII K-22 Outdoorsman, ca. 1938. 292318 is a little older, and what you have seems to be a target model M&P which probably shipped about mid-1919. The grips on both are non-original, but nonetheless, excellent finds. That is a side-hinge .50 can of the type used during WWII, although it very likely pre-dates WWII. Sometimes there is ammunition information stenciled on the can in yellow paint. I think the cans held 105 rounds in links.

 

[Sailfish 40]

that's a cool range box!

 

[opaul]

That is a really unusual ammo box, at least I have never seen one that opens on the side.
Congratulation on such nice pieces with a lot of family history.

 

[gmborkovic]

Wow! That old fella really loved those S&W to take that much time and care to make that range box. Darn I miss those old guys, being one myself.

 

[moosedog]

What a unique collection of guns and accessories. Great find.

 

[Rigmover]

Sweet! Nice little trio of Pre-War era guns. Gotta love that Humpback Hammer on that Outdoorsman. Your wife's Grandfather had good taste in well made Guns...Enjoy!!

 

[Comrad]

Very cool, I bet there are a lot of ammo boxes under construction tonight. I know I want to make one.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Great collection of Smith & Wesson revolvers. Those 1917 service grips with the dished tops came off of an early 1917.

I have one of those side opening ammo cans. Didn't know it was that old.

 

[M1Garandy]

That is a really unusual ammo box, at least I have never seen one that opens on the side.

The side opening .50 caliber ammo can was very common during WWII but was superseded post war.

 

[Troystat]

Neat carrying case, I had a side opening 50 cal ammo box that I bought surplus in the mid 70's, have not seen that style of ammo box since.

 

[Bosquebass]

So you found the can with the .22 and .38 inside and bought the 1917 later? If so, that's quite a find. Congrats on three great revolvers!

 

[DWalt]

Most early MG ammo cans (pre-1930s) were made of oak, and were treated as re-useable, not expendable as they are today. MG crews had to keep them as they were considered to be a part of the MG. They were very sturdily constructed, with machined steel hinges and brass latches, nothing crude about them. I have restored several of them. I think the Germans were the first to use pressed metal ammo cans of the general type now used, prior to WWII.

Here is a wooden one from the 1930s (.30 cal):

 

[Bosquebass]

I have an ammo can like the OP's that I keep my gun cleaning supplies in. It's been re-painted and re-marked with yellow paint at least twice, most likely three times. I had no idea it was WWII vintage.

 

[retiredbadge8091]

Dad's got one of those wooden ammo boxes. I think it has an electric screwdriver or something in it. Wonder if he'd let me trade him a new toolbox for it? It would be cool converted to a carry case with accessory tray, etc.

 

[g8rb8]

Thanks for showing an interesting item. It never ceases to amaze me how practical yet elegant prior generations could be before all the mass produced gee-gaws we now have available. I hope you take that to a shooting range so others can see and admire how past generations used their time, ingenuity, and skill for useful and interesting results. Oh, by the way, the guns inside the case aren't too bad either.

 

[H Richard]

Looks like he was a pretty decent woodworker also.

 

[red9]

You have a beautiful set of guns with a great family history. Are those Roper grips on the .22 Outdoorsman?

Bob

 

[RKmesa]

Great first post. Can you shoot a few more photos of the wooden grip adapter on the middle gun? How is it attached to the frame? Is there a screw that secures it to the frame?

Thanks,

 

[sgtcarr]

Would they be marked Roper inside?