Had not heard about this varaity of packaging...thank you for the pic's. What difference in size...if any...from the wood WW1 ammo boxes..? Was it an experimental item or issue...?
It was experimental and was one of four types of expendable box tested. The Ordnance people said it was very promising during WWI but later they stated it was difficult to pull the soldered on lid and other criticisms.The box held 300 rounds and the cartridges were called ".30 cal C". The "C" was to indicate it was loaded in an expendable belt.
In 1927 the Ordnance Subcommittee ( Item 6566, Oct 27, 1927) wrote " In view of the conclusion reached concerning the development of containers namely that the development of a satisfactory metallic or wood and metal expendable box which can be produced at a reasonable cost is impracticable, and the production cost not withstanding the usage to which it will be subjected in the service without destroying the seal of affecting its successful use with machine guns from a functioning standpoint would be prohibitive." The recommendation was that the project be closed.
The Committee also criticized the expendable belt stating "it has not been found possible to reduce the cost of fabric ammunition belts by use of inferior materials and or workmanship and still insure satisfactory functioning".
By May of 1941 the Ordnance people had changed their mind again. Item 16706, May 8 1941 stated "para 2.f. The question of expendable machine gun belts for the armored force is related to standard type expendable ammunition boxes"
Item 16707 May 8, 1941 Para 2.d. There should be made a standard for this caliber a package containing the 200 round belt in a hermetically sealed metal container which can be opened readily, installed and used without special tools, in a machine gun mount.
This would eventually lead to several test models and eventually the M1 and later M1A1 .30 caliber box.
