Originally Posted by sheepherder (Post 294760)

I did. I noticed the 1938 pic with the soldiers holding Bergman SMG's and trommel magazines, which is interesting. I've read that 'rear echelon' troops were issued the Bergman's in WW II, so it would follow they would have the trommel magazine chests as well.

But in my own limited experience, we carried handguns and magazines in a steel box about the same size as the trommel chest (for bulk transport) and if we had it open and needed to move it quickly, we'd grab the lid and carry it along to wherever we needed it. It had the full-width piano hinge. No one would bother to close it and latch it and use the carry handle - No, we'd just grab it and run it over to the firing position. :D

The wooden trommel chest with the single center hinge wouldn't last too long with that kind of abuse, I think... :p

Originally Posted by cirelaw (Post 294761)

George and Jerry!!

Originally Posted by DonVoigt (Post 294766)

Eric,
thanks for posting your reproduction box; I can see two differences in the picture from my box:
-the front latches hinge the opposite way
-the wire handles on the sides are smaller diameter(or at least appear to be)

Really well done box for sure.:thumbup:

Originally Posted by George Anderson (Post 294769)

...They all have slight differences in hardware.

Originally Posted by cirelaw (Post 294774)

This was a huge project made by at least 4 members each focusing on each seperate part... Can someone repost the narrative as it is facinating undertaking.