Re: Am I jealous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
 

Hi,

A combination of both, with the majority being type 1 drums. Eventually I would like to have all first issue drums for it. Have dust covers on some and machine gun adaptors for some also. A couple are in the ammo compartment.

Thanks for the effort Dok! Great Photos bill m!
 

And what a collectable! Did you find this package intact or did you have to piece it together?


Envy is a sin that I am sure most of us are guilty of after seeing these photos... What a treasure chest! (Pun Intended)


regards,


John

Re: NB: Please Note!
 

I really appreciate the opportunity to see pictures of such a rare collectible. But to pick a nit, it is not a Luger collectible but rather an MP18I collectible.


The original plan for MP18I issue was for each company to have one submachine gun squad with six gunners armed with MP18I subguns and six ammunition cariers armed with G98 rifles. The squad had three handcarts to carry ammo and 2,500 rounds per subgun was the standard issue. The magazine boxes would have been carried on the handcarts.


Since LP08 pistols were generally issued to persons whose duties made it impractical to carry a K98a or G98, I doubt there were very many men armed with an LP08 who carried around a box full of snail drum magazines.

MP 181
 

Hi Bill,

Since over 725,000 snail drums were produced starting in 1917, they had to be distributed by some means -- thus the snail drum box. There had to be a way to get these to the front and to Artillery crews. A 1917 LP08 manuel shows the drums, loader, canvas carriers, and the box. Since the MP181 did not come into use until the near end of WWI, I'm sure these boxes were used for the MP181 also, but they were used for the artillery Lugers mainly.

Box
 

Hi John,

The box was bought seperately, (empty) and the drums and tool added. The canvas carrier was with the box, but bought seperately.

Re: MP 181
 

Bill M.:


Since you reference the LP08 manual with photos of the box, you are unquestionably correct. I learn something new every day.


Regards,

Bill U.

What a neat Luger history lesson Thanks agai
 

Re: Bill Munis' snail drum mags box - exterior
 

I'm not a luger collector (yet), but even I can appreciate the fantastic things in the two pictures.

Re: Bill Munis' snail drum mags box - exterior
 

Bill.truly appreciate you sharing your treasure with the forum.....makes me wonder just what other treasures are out there in Forum land.....maybe Doc should run a "show and tell once a month.....just a suggestion........Leo

Really Outstanding Bill..!!!
 

On the cover and the front view - there is a large "P." - any idea if that mark is original or what it designates??


Really a terrific collectible (as well as the Drum mags and accessories you have assembled..!!). Thanks for showing it to us!!!...

Re: Really Outstanding Bill..!!!
 

Hi John,

Yes, the P is original in both places and I was told represents "ammo" -- That is about all I know about it. Of the 4 that I know of, I think they are all of different manufactures, with different style hinges and handles, but basically the same box as to size and width and construction. All of them have the "P" on them, but are of different styles and size, but in the same places. Mine is marked inside with a stamp of somekind which I can not make out and 18, which I take to be the year of manufacture. There was only one known up until last year when 3 were found in Germany, and thought to come from an Eastern Block country and actually bought at a plea market and then taken to Germany to a gun show. The one in all the books is in Belgium. Anyway, I'm glad to share it with you guys and hope you enjoy it. The canvas carrier is also a really hard and seldom ever seen accessory also.

Thanks Bill...!
 

Really an outstanding piece you have... I can only imagine what the overall quantity manufactured were - versus the number that survived... Given the period of the times, most were probably destroyed during the war or shortly thereafter - so my thanks again for sharing these photos - they offer an incredible view of the Luger's wartime history...!!!


Also - the canvas covers I have only heard of - and never seen. Thanks for including that artifact in the photo as well... Amazing....


Thanks again..!!

Re: Thanks Bill...!
 

John & Bill ,

Acording to my fathers recolections, It was very cold and very little wood was avainable to generate heat for rarions and radiation .

He claimed that the R & R Originated in the trenches on every front.

I'll bet most of the boxes warmed some soldiers butt if the Sargents didnt get it to heat the officers in the command posts.

ViggoG