German MG42 MG34 ammo can question

Heimrick

Heimrick

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Among other things I found this MG42/MG34 ammo can in Normandie. Its in relic condition, corroded, bent, but still working and still showing some of the original grayish greenish german paint and a big white vertical stripe on each face. I tried to find out the signification of these white stripes but cant find anything. Now I woudl liek to know if perhaps someone on CGN knows the signification of these white stripes? There is no questions that the stripes are original to the ammo can since its an artifact and it was found semi-burried with other artifacts, and the corrosion is equal on the stripes and on the rest of the box. Any help would be greatly appreciated. On the picture, its the ammo can on the right. Thanks guys!

DSCN1322_zpsfd044359.jpg
 
while in the army we would paint cans different colours for spare parts, tools,first aid , etc.
I'm guessing the Germans did the same.
 
gaff said:
while in the army we would paint cans different colours for spare parts, tools,first aid , etc.
I'm guessing the Germans did the same.
Click to expand...

the parts and tool ammo cans were marked with white letters like these pictures. but guaranteed you are right.
ekasten2.jpg

vkasten.jpg

ekasten3.jpg
 
gaff said:
while in the army we would paint cans different colours for spare parts, tools,first aid , etc.
I'm guessing the Germans did the same.
Click to expand...

223762 that is a very nice lay out of parts and pieces, thanks.

Going back to the OPs question, my feeling is the marking (as others have noted) represents whats NOT in the box, that being belted 7.92, but some other thing as spare parts, tools, non-kosher snacks for the MG team, etc.
 
Last edited:
back in the Day 3RCR , we had black jerry cans for water. we would fill them with cans of beer before putting the water in . we had the lids of these jerry cans painted white.
so we could tell them from the ones with only water. one day out of the blue the RSM showed up and wanted a jerry can of water. he took one with a white lid.
We were all shettin bricks, expecting to be on charge parade the next day.
the next time he came around he only said it was good water.
to this day we don't know if he was a drunk that could smell beer or if there was a snitch.
 
gaff said:
back in the Day 3RCR , we had black jerry cans for water. we would fill them with cans of beer before putting the water in . we had the lids of these jerry cans painted white.
so we could tell them from the ones with only water. one day out of the blue the RSM showed up and wanted a jerry can of water. he took one with a white lid.
We were all shettin bricks, expecting to be on charge parade the next day.
the next time he came around he only said it was good water.
to this day we don't know if he was a drunk that could smell beer or if there was a snitch.
Click to expand...

lol. great story thanks for sharing. i bet he really liked that water;)
 
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