Crate

[Austin F]

Would one use screws or nails for building a Grenade crate? Thank you!

[mdainsd]

Maybe through bolts with the special wingnuts on the top, like the wooden 50 cal ammo boxes?

[Quartermaster]

According to TM9-2854 Instruction Guide Ordnance Packaging And Shipping (Posts, Camps, and Stations) - 17 February 1945 - - - ordnance crates are nailed (cement coated nails are specified.)

Hinges and hasps are attached with single slot screws.

Lids of ammunition crates may have the aforementioned bolt with wingnuts to ease opening.

This manual gives specifications for types and grades of wood and specific sizes of nails to be used along with specific locations for the placement of the nails.

TM9-1900 Ammunition General specifies the correct markings, color, etc. on ordnance crates.

[Mike McCrea]

Great looking boxes. If you decide to put hinges on make sure to use the 4 or 5 hole hinges (WWII) single slot screws are most common but but the phillips type can also be found. I found a box that had both on it.

[Mike McCrea]

Also found with this style hinge. Dont know what they are called.

[Austin F]

Thank you everyone for your input! I will probably use either flat or phillips screws then.

[Mike McCrea]

Nails to build the crate, Screws only for the latches.

[John Neuenburg]

Thank you everyone for your input! I will probably use either flat or phillips screws then.

If you are building a WW2 crate it would be better to use flat blade screws for the hinges, since that appears to be the vast majority of screw fasteners used by U.S. companies. Meaning you can't go wrong by staying away from Phillips. If you use Phillips you will run into people who don't think they are correct. For example WW2 jeep restorers think Phillips screws are the devil.

If you use plated, bright fasteners but want them to look gray or black or like plain steel, there are chemicals that will do that. Try cold gun blue or black oxide concentrate. Muriatic acid will work but it might get hot and smoky and I don't know how safe that is.

[Arnhem44mad]

I have an original that I picked up at weekend. Pics don't work, send me an email I you would like some pics.

Scott

[Mike McCrea]

Here is a thread that covers both style of screws. In post #28 Quest master explains what type screw the Phillip's style is. and also shows two original WWII boxes with this style. And the last post show the box both were used in. https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums ... canisters/

[Quest Master]

Here is a thread that covers both style of screws. In post #28 Quest master explains what type screw the Phillip's style is. and also shows two original WWII boxes with this style. And the last post show the box both were used in. https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums ... canisters/

Thanks Mike!

[Arnhem44mad]

I recently picked up and original crate in UK. Can email pics of anyone wants them. Has lid and ropes.

Scott

[Mike McCrea]

I recently picked up and original crate in UK. Can email pics of anyone wants them. Has lid and ropes.

Scott

Hi Scott, I sent you a request with my email thru private msg. Did you receive it?

Mike