P08 ammo packaging crate, 1944

[Vlim]

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>

[wil franken]

nice crate. dusty? woodworm? or too badly contaminated for any biological experiments?

[Vlim]

Hi,

Well, just about all of the above

The P08 label reads 'Limited Pistole 08 useage (incidental cartridge jams)', which was common for steel cased and brass-ish 9mm rounds of the late war years.



This label contains the packaging info (4160 rounds), produced in 1944 by rfo.



And the transport label. It was sent from a subdepot in Kassel, rather than to it.



The Depot in Ihringhausen was used by the advancing allies during 1945 as a main depot for distribution of captured medical supplies. A 1945 report mentions the following:

"A large captured German depot at Ihringshausen, Germany, presented an excellent nucleus for a base issuing depot, and it was decided that stocks from the collecting point and miscellaneous outlying locations would be concentrated here. It is estimated that one hundred long tons of medical supplies were issued from this point during the month of April (1945, GVV)."

[wil franken]

still a very nice item gerben.

[wil franken]

BTW, what are you going to do with it?

[Ron Smith]

Gerben, That is great. I really like that sort of stuff. Do you think it would harm the value to spray it some kind of fixative, such as available at art supply stores. To prevent any more of the labels from peeling or flaking off? Pastel fixative spray, as used on charcoal and pastel scetches is nearly invisible.
Just a thought.

Ron

[Vlim]

Hi Ron,

My father is a retired painter and he also suggested retouching varnish as a preservative. As retouching varnish dissolves over the years it doesn't affect the value.

The condition of the whole assembly is pretty good, apart from some (now deceased) wood worm damage and one missing carrying handle. I guess most damage was done during the 50+ years it lived in someone's shed

[the gunman]

What a nice find Gerben . I can remember some 30 years back going to val forggets service arments co. In ridgefield new jersey. He had a couple of hundred of these cases all full with the ammo. I dont remember the prices on it but dont beleive they were much. Long ago and far away. I wonder what happend to all those wonderful cases. I remember buying some of the 9mm
ammo out of one. I just bought one sleeve. I think it was a 300 round sleeve which was full of 15 round boxes.

[ToggleTop]

Hallo Gerben,

Wood military boxes always fascinate me. There is just something about them I like.

I can find no reference to the "rfo" manufacturers code except that it is German and the maker is unknown. That is strange. The references do state they also made flame thrower ignitors. I have some of the rfo cartridges and would also like to know if anyone else has any information on the manufacturer.

Best Wishes,

[Lugerdoc]

I have a similar box, although no marking on the lid (probably not the air tight type) that came from Navy Arms years ago with 200 Nazi marked 16rd boxes of 9mmP ammo. As I recall, my cost was $2/box of ammo and they threw in the wood crate. Th

[Vlim]

Hi Tom,

I guess most of these did end up in several fire places

TT: Your story makes sense, as Kassel was home to a number of technical companies who produced engines, engine parts and also the famed ME262, the first jet aircraft. I wouldn't be surprised if rfo was the code for one of those Kassel-based companies.

Richie: The box was relatively cheap, but the real bonus was the shipping label, which could shed some light on the origin of 'rfo'.

[Vlim]

Well, I found a good use for this ole crate.
It now neatly stores 3 rows of CD's. The fit is excellent

[John Sabato]

What a unique addition to your Music CD library Gerben! Does it's appearance go well with your Music System?