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January 18, 2010
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This is going to be my new ammo box. I'm trying to determine if it is from the Vietnam era, or WWII.
I think my Dad got it from a flea market 15 or so yrs ago. The top has stenciled "BATTERY CASE FOR LF l - (2), could be L(2)...paint is light by the seam.
It weighs a ton, has 20Amp 250 Volt twist lock plugs on one end, insulation inside, leather handle, metal liner in lid, vents with screens in lid. It must be a rechargeable battery pack for communications, possibly. It is very heavily constructed, and seals up very tightly with the heavy duty latches.
It's been laying in the basement for years, but now that I'm back into shooting, I think it will make an excellent range / ammo box... especially after I see what the websites are selling the cheap tin boxes for! I may get rid of the plugs to make more storage space, but will have to make a metal plate to cover the holes.
If you have used one of these, or can help identify it, please let me know. Thanks,
Josh P
~Hey Joe … I said where you goin' with gun in your hand~
Dans Club
May 17, 2009
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Josh,
All I can say "they don't make em like that anymore". Looks like it will take a direct hit from a 445SM and keep on tick'n. If you fill it up with ammo you'll probably need a duce and a half to move it around! 
Ed
January 18, 2010
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Yea, its built like a tank. I can't imagine carrying it through a hot swampy jungle with a battery the size of a car battery inside, along with your rifle and other gear.
I'm wondering if it's from the Nam era, because my uncle was the RTO (radio telephone operator), and I'm wondering if this is something he had to tote. I wish I could ask him but he died in battle, 1970.
JoshP
~Hey Joe … I said where you goin' with gun in your hand~
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January 24, 2009
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No idea really, but it sure looks like it's in good shape.
I have a couple standard issue old army surplus ammo boxes for mine, and I think I'll probably go back & get a couple more soon.
Dans Club
May 17, 2009
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Charger Fan said:
and I think I'll probably go back & get a couple more soon.
And fill them up..................
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January 24, 2009
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jaggman said:
Charger Fan said:
and I think I'll probably go back & get a couple more soon.
And fill them up..................
Absolutely!
I'm finally commencing on the first steps of reloading. I spent the entire weekend tumbling my big pile of brass...somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 ~ 900 rounds, maybe more. I stopped counting.
Now that I'm seeing what I've actually got, I'm definitely gonna fill up the two ammo boxes that I currently have, so I need more.
BTW, I've discovered that those hand held primer installers are just the coolest little things!
January 17, 2010
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looks like def veitnam era. its box one of 2 for batteries for a base station type radio. like a fire base, airfield, medic, etc. "LF" is for low frequency i believe the PRC 68 had a lf setting, the 77 didn't. so that would date it 'nam era then. the plugs are marked 120v...thats what they are rated up to. I think that box held 2 batteries in series. the radios worked on anything from 20-32 volts. lf is a good penetrator but short on range.
most of this type of stuff was being phased out...or was out when i got in in 90...but being in the marines with recon (commo heavy)...we used alot of old navy stuff.
good range box. watch that leather handle or lid doesn't fail when full of ammo. i like the mortar crates with handles on both sides. and the mortar tubes are nice too, they have an "o" ring seal and hold a hoagie perfect, it doesnt get squished and maintains temp somewhat.
side note= metal ammo cans that everyone has seen...they have the cantilever type latch on them. they are designed to come open instead of burst if stuff inside lights. so instead of all the ammo making one nice bomb it should just be more like firecrackers (kinda) we tested this with a smoke grenade once....it worked....sides swelled a little then the top came flying off.
"experience is the hardest teacher, the test comes before the lesson"
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January 24, 2009
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6point8 said:
side note= metal ammo cans that everyone has seen...they have the cantilever type latch on them. they are designed to come open instead of burst if stuff inside lights. so instead of all the ammo making one nice bomb it should just be more like firecrackers (kinda) we tested this with a smoke grenade once....it worked....sides swelled a little then the top came flying off.
That's pretty cool, I've wondered why they were designed like that. Hope I don't have an occasion to actually test them out.
I've also got a mental picture of the hoagie carrier.
November 23, 2008
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Good morning
Our local BIG R store in east central ILL had Cal .50 ammo cans in stock for $6 each you pick. They buy them by the pallet. Big R stores are the "we have it all" farm supply.
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