C+R related crate.

[pitfighter]

This is an FG42 Magazine crate - I had been looking for one for some time.
I collect items to do with WW2 paratroops, and this item is a particularly rare accessory for the FG42 paratroop rifle.
I found one through Virtual Grenadier for about a grand, but that is not really collecting for me.
This one turned up at a yard sale in Belgium, where a friend noticed it, and put me in contact with the owner, everyone came away happy.

It would only have been better had it been full of grease paper wrapped mags - one sold at auction last month for $5500 plus auction fees.

Anyway, I threw a few paratroop items in it, for viewing pleasure.

Next up is a nice first pattern F+S for my British para collection.

[hollowpoint67]

I am erect.

[Rogerbutthead]

You and SVT40 win.

You guys got the nicest and most toys.

[pitfighter]

You and SVT40 win.

You guys got the nicest and most toys.

Your G43 collection has me beat - I cannot speak for SVT40.
But, my collection is quite small.

[Grendl]

Super sweet.

[GunKraut]

It appears the lid is made from beech and pine boards. The strip which the hinges are attached to definitely looks like beech and the insert (tongue and groove?) with the MAGAZINKASTEN writing on it looks like pine. Better quality wood where hardware is attached and lower quality where it doesn't matter?

[pitfighter]

It appears the lid is made from beech and pine boards. The strip which the hinges are attached to definitely looks like beech and the insert (tongue and groove?) with the MAGAZINKASTEN writing on it looks like pine. Better quality wood where hardware is attached and lower quality where it doesn't matter?

That could very well be correct, sir.

Next time you're in the San Fernando Valley PM me and you can inspect it and the FG's in person. I'd be interested to know.
The only book that mentions the crate is "Death From Above", and it is a picture and brief description.

Where late-war shortages reduced quality in almost all German production, for some reason the FG42 and it's accessories continued to be made to very high and exacting specifications.

[GunKraut]

That could very well be correct, sir.

Next time you're in the San Fernando Valley PM me and you can inspect it and the FG's in person. I'd be interested to know.
The only book that mentions the crate is "Death From Above", and it is a picture and brief description.

Where late-war shortages reduced quality in almost all German production, for some reason the FG42 and it's accessories continued to be made to very high and exacting specifications.

Death from Above... You probably know this book by heart by now. I've read mine only once but it sure is a valuable compilation of everything FG42 known to mankind (well, unfortunately it doesn't tell where you get all your cool FG stuff from). My favorite read these days is "Full Circle" by Blake Stevens.

Thanks for your generous offer to let me take a look at your treasures. I will definitely take you up on it.

[pitfighter]

A really good book on the subject is "The FG42 Fallschirmjagergewehr" by Dr. Guus De Vries -
It possibly the most complete collection of wartime photographs of this weapons system and it's accessories - but, alas they don't mention my crate, lol.
Some interesting unpublished Italian campaign pictures have surfaced this last year, I bought prints of them on line. Fun hobby to research.
The M38 helmet in the crate above came from Northern Italy, it is quite a special one.

[Rogerbutthead]

Pitfighter, another rare one you can add to your collection. http://www.gunbroker.com/item/649972877
Or do you already have it?

[pitfighter]

Talking about these yesterday - could not think of a movie scenario that I would need one.
But, my friend Tor is building the BD version of these in Kentucky now, the VG1 will be the first of the line they release here in the US, I will buy one.
They are like an oversized auto-pistol, a really interesting action.