Here is a box I have that has a couple of unusual features that caught my eye and I'd appreciate any information to back up (or correct) my assumptions for origin and possible use. Firstly, based on the stencilled markings, I think it's French.
Features include two latches and lid handle in the style of US M2 .50cal boxes (wire stirrup missing on left-hand one here), two additional lid handles and a wire handle on the centre of front bottom edge. Lid exterior has been overpainted.
Stencilled white on both latch side & hinge sides:
1305 - 7010010 HAL (in broken circle)
CN MIT 20 F1
60 CART 20MM
1 O.E F1 1 O.E.T F1
LOT 4 .MR - 75
-o-o-
1305 - 14 - 041 - 0338 3A (in broken rectangle)
32Kg 0.04M3
Online searches for translations etc.
1305 - 14 - 041 - 0338 = NSN Created on 1 Jan 1974, Managed by France, for 20mm ammunition.
CN MIT 20 = Cannon Mitrailleur 20 mm
HAL = High Explosive ammunition
-o-o- = linked belt
MR 75 = March 1975
I can't find a reference to an F1 cannon but France currently using F2 autocannon in 20 x 139 calibre, which is clearly too long to fit in this container. At first sight I expected it to hold 20mm Vulcan (20 x 102) but a measure and physical test blew that theory out of the water. A bit more reading - "Autocannon A History of Automatic Cannon and their Ammunition" by Anthony G. Williams is an excellent source - pointed me towards 20mm Mauser (20 x 82) for the MG151/20 cannon adopted by France post-WW2. A trial fit supports that theory, as shown in photos (inert rounds from my collection are shown in photos.).
I'd appreciate a better identification of the F1 autocannon, F1 ammunition (I'm unclear if the stencilling for the belt filling is 1 O.E 1 O.E.T or 10. E 10. E.T.) if anyone can assist please.
Features include two latches and lid handle in the style of US M2 .50cal boxes (wire stirrup missing on left-hand one here), two additional lid handles and a wire handle on the centre of front bottom edge. Lid exterior has been overpainted.
Stencilled white on both latch side & hinge sides:
1305 - 7010010 HAL (in broken circle)
CN MIT 20 F1
60 CART 20MM
1 O.E F1 1 O.E.T F1
LOT 4 .MR - 75
-o-o-
1305 - 14 - 041 - 0338 3A (in broken rectangle)
32Kg 0.04M3
Online searches for translations etc.
1305 - 14 - 041 - 0338 = NSN Created on 1 Jan 1974, Managed by France, for 20mm ammunition.
CN MIT 20 = Cannon Mitrailleur 20 mm
HAL = High Explosive ammunition
-o-o- = linked belt
MR 75 = March 1975
I can't find a reference to an F1 cannon but France currently using F2 autocannon in 20 x 139 calibre, which is clearly too long to fit in this container. At first sight I expected it to hold 20mm Vulcan (20 x 102) but a measure and physical test blew that theory out of the water. A bit more reading - "Autocannon A History of Automatic Cannon and their Ammunition" by Anthony G. Williams is an excellent source - pointed me towards 20mm Mauser (20 x 82) for the MG151/20 cannon adopted by France post-WW2. A trial fit supports that theory, as shown in photos (inert rounds from my collection are shown in photos.).
I'd appreciate a better identification of the F1 autocannon, F1 ammunition (I'm unclear if the stencilling for the belt filling is 1 O.E 1 O.E.T or 10. E 10. E.T.) if anyone can assist please.
