Gifted ww2 ammo.... disassemble/reutilize or keep as is....

RBHarter

West Central AR
My guy says he will see what he can find Monday .

Some of the war production had decoy lots that were literally only traceable within the plant they came from .
 

dale2242

Well-Known Member
Why would they put any kind of seal on a full GI can of ammo?
Isn`t the latch and rubber seal around they lid supposed to hold through hell and high water.
I have never seen an issue can with a seal on it.
Of course, I haven`t seen everything. :)
 
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dale2242

Well-Known Member
BTW, I have been given 300-400 rounds of WW2 and Korean War ball ammo.
It was all loose except 1 bandolier.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
Why would they put any kind of seal on a full GI can of ammo?
Isn`t the latch and rubber seal around they lid supposed to hold through hell and high water.
This is one of those times when words have more than one meaning.
Seal = Some type of gasket or other construction that prevents leakage or contamination.
Seal= A lock, tag, tape or some thing that proves the container hasn't been opened or tampered with.

So, Yes, the can has a sturdy latch and gasket to seal the can. In that contex, "seal" simply refers to the gasket on the lid.
but "Seal" could also mean some evidence that the container wasn't opened after it was filled and closed.

In this instance, I see no evidence of a tamper proof seal and therefore I recommend the owner simply open the can and inspect the contents.
 

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Just my experience, but I don't know how many tens-of-thousands of 100-round 20 mm ammo cans I emptied and loaded aboard F-100s and F-4Es, but do know that I never had to break a tamper-proof seal, or saw a broken one. Unless the seals were removed at the ammo dump, to eliminate the possibility of flightline FOD, they didn't exist.
 

Ian

Notorious member
Just my experience, but I don't know how many tens-of-thousands of 100-round 20 mm ammo cans I emptied and loaded aboard F-100s and F-4Es, but do know that I never had to break a tamper-proof seal, or saw a broken one. Unless the seals were removed at the ammo dump, to eliminate the possibility of flightline FOD, they didn't exist.

Probably removed in the magazine and contents inspected before going to the flight line for loading.
 
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farmboy

cookie man
I came upon 2 ammo cans of 30/06 AP ammo about 15 years ago. Don't remember the date but upon inspection some had green spots on the brass. I broke it all down to get rid of the AP bullets and discovered that many had the powder was wet and soupy looking. The powder was set aside before going any further. All ammo was inspected and anything green or acid smelling was set aside too. Anything that had dry powder was reloaded with new 4895 and a new FJ bullet. Dumped all the bullets and cases that were green. I don't think that anyone is supposed to have AP ammo. Don't want to find out the hard way.
 

beagle

Active Member
Looks like a repack of a 384 round “SPAM” can.
Only sealed cans I encountered in the Army were the large 1500 round mini gun cans and 20 mm cans for the M61 cannon. Had the lead/wite seal on one clamping handle. US stamp on lead./beagle