H52 Container Dimensions.

[FerringPete]

Can any one give me the dimensions for a H52 tin ammunition container. I have a H50 and H51 boxes labelled for .303 ammunition and dated 1943 and intend to 3D print the H52 to complete the set. It will feature as part of an internal display of the Type 26 Pillbox in Ferring, West Sussex, to support the Bren Gun (which I have 3D printed)

 

[CartDorset]

Can any one give me the dimensions for a H52 tin ammunition container. I have a H50 and H51 boxes labelled for .303 ammunition and dated 1943 and intend to 3D print the H52 to complete the set. It will feature as part of an internal display of the Type 26 Pillbox in Ferring, West Sussex, to support the Bren Gun (which I have 3D printed)

The H50/51/52 are a 1945 design so any dated 1943 have been redated postwar (likely by reenactors). Although some were produced during the war, it is not clear how many, if any, were issued in NW Europe before the war was over.

For a Bren gun you want the metal tin with handle that holds spare mags. Wartime ones can still be found but watch out for post war ones. I believe these were around in 1940 and onwards. Watch out to avoid the 1970s version for the 7.62 straighter magazines.

Link as an example - they can be had much more cheaply

Bren Gun Magazine Box With Spare Magazines

Bren Gun Magazine Box With Spare Magazines Detailed Description To Follow

mjlmilitaria.com

 

[FerringPete]

The H50/51/52 are a 1945 design so any dated 1943 have been redated postwar (likely by reenactors). Although some were produced during the war, it is not clear how many, if any, were issued in NW Europe before the war was over.

For a Bren gun you want the metal tin with handle that holds spare mags. Wartime ones can still be found but watch out for post war ones. I believe these were around in 1940 and onwards. Watch out to avoid the 1970s version for the 7.62 straighter magazines.

Link as an example - they can be had much more cheaply

Bren Gun Magazine Box With Spare Magazines

Bren Gun Magazine Box With Spare Magazines Detailed Description To Follow

mjlmilitaria.com

Apologies, a typo, the box was dated 1953 not 43. I am aware of the metal magazine box, having carried and fired the Bren as a 7.62mm LMG in the 70s and beyond.

 

[Linkman]

Can any one give me the dimensions for a H52 tin ammunition container. I have a H50 and H51 boxes labelled for .303 ammunition and dated 1943 and intend to 3D print the H52 to complete the set. It will feature as part of an internal display of the Type 26 Pillbox in Ferring, West Sussex, to support the Bren Gun (which I have 3D printed)

I have an opened H52 MK2 dated 1955 that was in a H51, dated same year & marked for 288 rounds .303 ball in cartons.

Overall dimensions, measured in imperial, as follows: length 13.7/8", width 3.3/4", height 7.1/8" and corners on the top & bottom have 1/2" radius. The weld/braze/soldered seams are run so both the two side plates are recessed by ~1/4".

The H52 was centred in the H51 with close-fitting but removeable plywood packers:
base 13.3/4" x 3.3/4" x 1/8" thk + 3 transverse foam rubber strips 1" wide x 5/16" thk on the bottom
ends 7.1/2" x 3.7/8" x 1/4" thk + 2 longitudinal foam rubber strips 3/4" wide x 1/2" thk on the outside
sides 13" x 6.1/4" x 3/16" thk + 3 transverse foam rubber strips 1.3/4" wide x 1/8" thk on the outside, corners chamfered 3/4"

The H52 even has internal cardboard lining pieces and the 32 round cartons are cardboard. You didn't ask for these dims. but I have examples.

I have another H52 with lid partially pulled back but it's in storage. I can retrieve it if you need the detail of the pull-ring.

Also have an earlier H52 marked TPT 1944 in a 1945 H51 marked for 250 rounds .303 Ground and AFV use .303 Vickers MG. It has differences: two halves of tear-off lid, cloth tape handles and flat sides. Also in storage but retrievable if you require dims. or pics.

Thinking about the Bren mags - as these are not expendable/disposable and after first filling would require refilling by hand in the field, wouldn't it be reasonable to also encounter an H51 with 'loose' rounds in cartons for troops to refill mags?

Hope this of use.