.45-70 Ammo Crate

[Coal Creek Griff]

Harkening back to my Olympia Brewing Co. Beer Crate, It is with sadness I remember many fine "tours" through the Brewery.  Alas, Olympia is no more and I do so miss the Artesians whom brewed that golden elixir.  Oh Well.

I live not too far away from the old Olympia breweries (located oddly enough in Olympia, Washington). There is the original brick brewery and the "new" brewery -- both long closed down. On moonlit nights, though, if you're reeeaaaly quiet, you can still see the Artesians wandering around the grounds in small groups.  Sometimes they're near the old artesian wells where the water came from ("It's the water and a lot more.") They're reminiscing about the old days and wishing that the breweries would open back up.  "I seen 'em!"

[LongWalker]

Played around a bit in the shop today (after no real shop for 2 years!).  Best guess it would take a Saturday to work out details and make the first such ammo crate.  Sunday could be spent making 20 more, since the jigs etc would be done.  If anyone actually makes one, they might want to make several.  (I can see it now at the muster: someone sitting at the rifle line surrounded by crates of ammo.

I'm curious how the stocks of spare ammo were carried by troops on the march.  Each guy was issued a quantity, but (especially after the LBH) was extra ammo carried in the wagons/pack saddles, and how was it packed?

[Coffinmaker]

Long Walker 

The Answer is (D) All of the Above.  Troops were, and still are, issued an initial "combat load."  Usually 60 to 100 rounds.  With the advent of Magazine fed guns, most troops started the day with all they could carry.  A unit on the move also had one or more supply wagons with necessities and ammo.  In rough county operations a unit would also have several pack mules, one of which was loaded with ammo.

In south East Asia, the initial issue was Three 20 or 30 round Magazines plus One in the Rifle.  Most of us also scrounged up several "extra" magazine pouches and hauled all we could carry.  One can never have "too much" ammo.  My experience was not however, absolute.  Lots of different units.  Also, I moved to Door Gunner and found happiness is a Belt Fed Weapon you betcha.

[Books OToole]

Dont forget to build with finger joints, and add the appropriate amount of wood at the ends to accomodate that....



I cannot recall what famous battle involved guys unable to open ammunition crates because they were screwed down And only one supply seargent had the only screwdriver.....

Isandlwana.

Books

[Pitspitr]

My Striker's wife could probably cut us a stencil

[DeaconKC]

Find someone with one of the Cricut machines that can make stencils. Ask at a Hobby Lobby, those machines are quite neat.

[Major 2]

We had one at my former job20. I might be able to use it by going in to visit.
I did make a set from somebody on here, several years ago.