Snail Drum?
 

Can anyone tell me the dates of manufacture for the Snail drums,(Trommel Mags), models #1 and #2? I'd like to keep my 1917 DWM 'Arty' accurate for the time frame, many thanx.

Re: Snail Drum?
 

Hi .The TM-08 was patented in Fermany on July 8, 1916 by Friedrich Blum, of Budapest, Hungry. It was first introduced to infantry units in the spring of 1917.There were three contractors, B/N Gebruder Bing, Nurnberg,A.E.G., Berlin and VAF/C Vereinigte Automaten Fabriken,total number produced by B/N is estimated at over at over 750,000 and total production by A.E.G. were about 70,000. No production numbers are know for V.A.F......hope this helps ...Leo

Re: Snail Drum?
 

In addition to Leo's information I offer this. Gebrueder Bing of Nuernberg were manufacturers of Tinplate Toy Trains at that time and had the sheetmetal fabrication know how and the machinery to produce the Trommel Magazine. They were pressed (so to speak) into Magazine production by the arms requirements of WWI.


All of their Trains are highly prized collectibles, realizing thousands of Dollars at auctions. Relatively speaking, not many survived 2 wars, just like the Trommel magazine.


The brothers' products covered a broad spectrum; Toys and Wars.


Regards, Wolfgang

Great Information! thanks Wolfgang! (EOM)
 

Re: Great Information! thanks Wolfgang!
 

I remember a discussion-possibly here-where someone had contacted these folks about making more drums and they said no problem as they had all the plans etc. But since they are high-cap mags no dice on sending them to USofA.