P08 ammo packaging crate, 1944

Vlim · 11-26-2004, 04:06 PM

Hi,

Just received a German wooden ammo crate for P08 9mm. I'm currently cleaning and inspecting it. These crates were sealed airtight during use.

This one was delivered via a Kassel train station depot (label on the front) and contained a batch of 1944-made 9mm ammo. It has the blue/white label on the side, with an additional label stating that it's fit for use in the Pistole 08. The manufacturer is 'rfo', an unexplained maker. If anyone has information, I'd be keen to hear it.

The box is virtually identical to the packaging crates displayed in the 1939 DWM book I have, down to the text on the lid which reads 'Luftdichter Patronenkasten' (air sealed cartridge box), again as used by DWM, painted on using a crude template.

It appears that rfo was a maker somewhere in the eastern part of Germany. Minor details in the hinge construction suggest that this box was not produced at DWM Karlsruhe.

From the original 'for sale' ad:

From '50 Jahre Deutsche Waffe- und Munitionsfabriken':

<a href="http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/packing.jpg" target="_fullview"><img src="http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/packing.jpg" width="400" alt="Click for fullsize image" /></a>

11-26-2004, 04:06 PM	#1
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,987 Times in 1,205 Posts	P08 ammo packaging crate, 1944 Hi, Just received a German wooden ammo crate for P08 9mm. I'm currently cleaning and inspecting it. These crates were sealed airtight during use. This one was delivered via a Kassel train station depot (label on the front) and contained a batch of 1944-made 9mm ammo. It has the blue/white label on the side, with an additional label stating that it's fit for use in the Pistole 08. The manufacturer is 'rfo', an unexplained maker. If anyone has information, I'd be keen to hear it. The box is virtually identical to the packaging crates displayed in the 1939 DWM book I have, down to the text on the lid which reads 'Luftdichter Patronenkasten' (air sealed cartridge box), again as used by DWM, painted on using a crude template. It appears that rfo was a maker somewhere in the eastern part of Germany. Minor details in the hinge construction suggest that this box was not produced at DWM Karlsruhe. From the original 'for sale' ad: From '50 Jahre Deutsche Waffe- und Munitionsfabriken': <a href="http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/packing.jpg" target="_fullview"><img src="http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/packing.jpg" width="400" alt="Click for fullsize image" /></a>