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    Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box

    Wgrenadier
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    Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box Empty Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box

    Post by Wgrenadier Mon Nov 07, 2016 9:51 pm

    I just received this British Ammunition Box from South Africa this afternoon. I believe it is a H3 box, though I am not sure if it is a Mk I, II, or III.

    Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box H3_amm10

    The label on the lid is very faded, but follows the same basic pattern as a loading stamp on a .303 Bandolier. As far as a can tell, it reads “840 ~ CARTRIDGES ~ S.A. BALL ~ .303 Inch ~ CORDITE ~ 25 / 11 / 99 (inside the boxes) ~ Mark IV (?)” Additionally, there are small broad arrows surmounting the letters “ILS”. I believe this stands for "Inspector, Land Service" and it can also be seen on early 303 bandoliers from 1914/15. This changed during the Great War to "ISAA" for "Inspector, Small Arms Ammunition" after the Inspection Department had been reorganized.

    Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box H3_amm11

    So the box was originally made in 1899, but the lid is also stamped “100 ~ REPKD ~ 14/4/05 ~ CORDITE ~ BATCH 1007”, so the box was reloaded in 1905.

    Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box H3_amm12

    The lid is an Isosceles Trapezoid, so it stays in place when closed. I believe that there was originally a brass peg or cotter pin that held it in place, but this has long since disappeared.

    Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box H3_amm13

    Inside the wood box is the original tin that would have held the ammunition. I’m not certain what the string was for, but it may have held the pin that secured the lid and a key to open the interior tin lining.

    Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box H3_amm14

    The sides of the box have their original spliced rope handles along with the original load date of November 11, 1899.

    Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box H3_amm15

    Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box H3_amm16

    Additionally, each side has a large paper label with the symbol for “cartridge, small arm, ball” (a rectangle with a line through it) along with “CORDITE” in both boxes.

    Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box H3_amm17

    The front of the box has a large letter ‘H’ deeply carved into the wood (possibly because it is an H3 box). There are also a number of deteriorated paper labels, including another symbol for “cartridge, small arm, ball”. There is also a large number ‘1’ inside a diamond with the words “SAFETY CARTR…” below.

    Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box H3_amm18

    The back of the box has a number of letters stamped on it. I can only make out “H.M.S.” and “GOVT”. There is also a Broad Arrow, which I think was originally flanked by the letters ‘B’ and ‘O’, but I can’t be sure.

    Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box H3_amm19

    The bottom of the box has felt pads, but I think these were a later addition.

    Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box H3_amm20

    Nobby1904 likes this post

    48th
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    Post by 48th Tue Nov 08, 2016 8:29 am

    Great find, I would assume an ammo box from that era would be very rare. Thanks for posting.
    Wgrenadier
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    Post by Wgrenadier Wed Nov 09, 2016 8:31 pm

    I'm very pleased with it, especially after waiting 6 months to get it by Sea Mail! lol
    edstorey
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    Boer War British .303 H3 Ammunition Box Empty .303 Ammunition Box

    Post by edstorey Thu Nov 10, 2016 4:20 am

    It is a very nice piece. Judging by the felt pads, someone treated it as a decorative piece which must have contributed to its survival. Nice find.
    Wgrenadier
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    Post by Wgrenadier Sun Nov 13, 2016 3:26 am

    edstorey wrote:It is a very nice piece.   Judging by the felt pads, someone treated it as a decorative piece which must have contributed to its survival.   Nice find.

    Thanks Ed, I think you are exactly right about the decorative thing! There also appears to be a lacquer finish over every side but the base, which must be why the remaining paper labels survived...
    pylon1357
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    Post by pylon1357 Sun Nov 13, 2016 4:24 am

    Quite an interesting piece. Looking at the construction, it appears more care was put into this ammo box, than most furniture of today.

    Great find and well worth the wait time for sure.


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