Please help ID ammo can

[Kirk]

I came across an ammo can marked "Cal .30 Caliber M2 Ammunition Box". The end is marked SF Ltd, US with the ordnance seal.

It appears identical to the "CaL .30 M1A1 Ammunition Box" which supposedly was used from June 1945 into the 1950s and was replaced by the M19 can.

Any idea when the M2 can was used? How rare/valuable is it?

Thanks!

7603760476067605

[Dan Shapiro]

Used during WWII.
You can try contacting the guy who put this website up (link at bottom of page). He doesn't list "SF LTD".
http://browningmgs.com/index.html

[musketshooter]

The Brit 30-06 cloth belted ammo from the CMP came in those cans. The ammo was dated 1953. I doubt they are considered rare at all.

[dhuze]

Its a WWII era ammo can. It isn't worth much. You might find someone to give you $20 on the high side for it. Like Musketshooter said. The CMP sold somewhere around 1000 of these with belted ammo in them earlier this year. I have 4 in my basement and 2 came from the CMP.

[Kirk]

Its a WWII era ammo can. It isn't worth much. You might find someone to give you $20 on the high side for it. Like Musketshooter said. The CMP sold somewhere around 1000 of these with belted ammo in them earlier this year. I have 4 in my basement and 2 came from the CMP.

The two I have also came from the CMP. What I most want to know is when they were introduced & how long were they used. The best reference I've found so far didn't mention them & say the M1A1 was replaced by the M19.

[emmagee1917]

Your M2 box is identical to the earlier M1 boxes. It is prob'ly a later production model that was attempting to clear up confusion that continues to even into this thread. The M1 can came first. They had problems with the can falling off the MG tripods , so they added the latch and changed the overall shape of the can , lid , and latch. The early latch can was only marked "M1" . Later they ink stamped "A1 " after the "M1" and changed the dies to stamp "M1A1". The M1 can was not discontunied at this time. When SF ltd. set up dies to build the M1 can , they were prob'ly told to have them stamped M2 instead. The obsolesence of the M1 , M1A1 , ( and your M2 ) with the adaption of the M9 resulted in the addition to the confusion rather than the clearing up they were seeking.
Chris

[smle-man]

Anyone know where I can get a lid gasket for an M1 can? Someone painted the can with a black crackle finish and the gasket is missing but otherwise the can is servicable.

[JimW in Ore]

Hey smle-man if you get an answer, let me know I could use about 6.

[emmagee1917]

Yes , any automotive parts store. Get a tube of red rtv silicone. Clean the lid groove and can edge. Lay a bead around the lid. Place a sheet of wax paper over the can body's top and latch lid down. In a day or two , open can , remove paper , and use.
Chris