Original German WWII MP40 MP38 Submachine Gun Storage Crate with Period Stenciling

Original Item. Only One Available. The Maschinenpistole 40 ("Machine pistol 40") descended from its predecessor the MP 38, which was in turn based on the MP 36, a prototype made of machined steel. The MP 36 was developed independently by Erma Werke's Berthold Geipel with funding from the German Army. It took design elements from Heinrich Vollmer's VPM 1930 and EMP. Vollmer then worked on Berthold Geipel's MP 36 and in 1938 submitted a prototype to answer a request from the Heereswaffenamt (Army Weapons Office) for a new submachine gun, which was adopted as MP 38. The MP 38 was a simplification of the MP 36, and the MP 40 was a further simplification of the MP 38, with certain cost-saving alterations, most notably in the more extensive use of stamped steel rather than machined parts.

This is a very scarce example of a German WWII Ammunition crate for the M.P. 38 and M.P. 40, with original stenciling on the lid. The crate measures roughly 7 x 15 ¾ x 14 ½”. The lid of the crate is marked in black:

gr. Vorrat
M.P. 38u40

This denotes that the stored item is used by both the MP38 and MP40, and is likely referring to magazines, which were interchangeable between the MP38 and MP40.

The crate retains both of its original carrying ropes, however we would not recommend carrying the crate by these ropes as they are old and likely fragile. The interior of the crate has no markings.

An outstanding display piece for your MP40!