.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?

 

[Modified]

Would they be marked Roper inside?

Very unlikely, however there are some distinctive ways that Ropers were made that help to verify that is what they are. If you could post a picture of the back side of each panel you could get more information.

 

[pharmer]

Previously, after grandpa has died years before, grandma had sold off any firearms of value thru a gun shop on consignment.

No, she didn't. What a great find, I'd rather those than a couple gold coins. I have a couple of those cans, the lid is removable by sliding it off the hinge. I think they are more recent than WWII. Congrats on your find, hope you can keep them. Joe

 

[jsfricks]

I think they are more recent than WWII.

As stated above, WWII is the correct time period of these ammo cans.
I would love to see pictures of the wood frame inside of the box. Very cool idea! I have an ammo box identical to this one that I bought off a local forum for $20. I would buy all I could at that price in the condition mine is in!
U.S Military Metal Ammo Boxes

 

[pharmer]

As stated above, WWII is the correct time period of these ammo cans.

Thanks for that link. I always assumed the "end latch" type came earlier. I have several (repainted several times and re stenciled) of the "Modern" with the flaming bomb embossed. Joe

 

[wheelgun610]

A couple more observations regarding the .38: First, the stocks are the correct style for the K-22. If you haven't already, you should check to see if they're numbered to that K-22. The gun is also what we refer to as a "semi target" due to the lack of an adjustable rear sight. The rear sight may have been fabricated by a gunsmith after it left the factory. The target style front sight blade may or may not have been installed by S&W as a custom order.

Could we see close-up pics of those sights?

Mark

 

[66Park]

Great guns, great story!

 

[handejector]

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)

If those smooth grips shown in the top tray were in the box when you found it, Grandpa most likely had a Military 1917, not a Commercial, and it was an early one.

That commercial you bought is a GREAT gun, though! Late 1917s shipped with magna grips are very, very uncommon.

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

Bob

I think those grips are some very old Herrett's.

The gun is also what we refer to as a "semi target"

The term I have always heard and used is 'Half target'.

 

[handejector]

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,

Richard,
Click the pic twice till it blows up to max, and you can see the screw hole exactly on the centerline of the groove in the background.
I've seen a few targets with that threaded hole over the years.
All were made before 1930.
Bought one at an auction one time, and I MISSED that hole. Lost money on that one!

 

[sgtcarr]

more pics of grips

 

[sgtcarr]

more pics of .38, front and rear sights. My wife's grandfather was an engineer and may have rigged the rear sight himself?