www.MG42.us

Was interested in finding some 42 8MM ammo cans, anyone know where I could find some or any type of can to store 8MM belts?

Make sure that anyone that you try to buy from knows that you are looking for 8mm ammo cans as LOTS of .308 cans have been sold as MG42 ammo cans. With reference to WW2 of course.
That said try Dave from Sarco.
Try Brian from http://www.brpguns.com/
Try http://www.mg34.com/

Good Luck

Later 42rocker

How many rounds will the German or Yugo 8MM can hold?

Usually 300 rnds. 200 with starter tab, bullets forward then 100 w/tab, laid in opposit direction bullets to rear. This compensated for the angle drop of top belt to ease feeding. Then turn can around. Hope this helps. JR Houston Texas

That brings up a question. How do you tell the later .308 cans from the earlier 8mm cans? How do you tell a ww2 German can from all the others? Where and how are they marked?

The .308 cans are narrower and often have diagonal lines stamped into the sides. 7.92 rounds (what I assume you guys call 8mm, and .308 being 7.62?) do not fit into the 7.62 cans.

As to how to tell postwar from wartime.... the easiest way is the Germans usually (although not always) have either a Waffenamt (Chicken stamp), a date or a manufacturer logo roughly in the middle of the depressed area the handle folds into on the top. I have never seen a Yugo can with any markings whatsoever, but not all German ones are marked. If it's aluminium then its German as I think I'm right in saying Yugo ones were always steel.

The other think I look for is the handle attachment point to the lid. German wartime ones had a bracket with a triangular 'foot' that has three rivets. Other styles such as square spot welded types are not wartime. Yugo cans are always yucky colours, typically a pale puke green. If you see that underneath field grey then its been repainted to look 'period'.

Hope that helps a bit!

Thanks David Now I have an idea what I am looking at.

Bringing back from the dead - but have just ordered two post-war cans from IMA-USA. Price of 25.00 per can, with about 11 shipping, so not the best deal I've ever seen, but they are 8mm cans.

FYI.

Glenn

Glenn
Please let us know how they look and if any markings.

Later 42rocker

42rocker wrote:Glenn
Please let us know how they look and if any markings.

Later 42rocker

Sorry for the delay in reply - both in post-war Yugo green, and I haven't attempted to depaint them to see if they are marked underneath. Will take photos once I try that, will be repainting flat dark color anyway, to match the rifle better. May also do a strip and repaint on my MG3 tripod.

Glenn

Well hope that you find some markings under the yugo paint job.
Good Luck

Later 42rocker

8mm Ammo Cans, and drums.
http://www.ima-usa.com/

I just bought 3 8mm cans from ,mg34.com for $15 each, and $20 for shipping. The cans are very nice, no rust and no dents or dings. A very good bargain I think.
Mike