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Rare original Kriegsmarine ammunition box for the 4 cm Flak 28 (Bofors 40 mm) system. Classic naval green paint with large white “KM” branch stencil and a small yellow “Lsp” note on the exterior. “Lsp” = Leuchtspur (tracer). Bottom is hand-signed “R. Lindner.” Two side strap-hinges, one front carry handle. Solid display piece with great paper history inside the lid.

Paper labels – what they tell us

Three original depot labels survive inside (worn but legible in parts):

• Main contents/lot label (cream paper, purple/red typing):
  Mentions “… Üb. Sprgr. … Lh 28 … C/12 n.A Pulver …” along with several lot/charge numbers and dates.
  • Üb. Sprgr. = Übungs-Sprenggranate (practice HE projectile).
  • Lh 28 refers to the Flak 28 pattern ammunition set-up.
  • C/12 n.A. is a German propellant designation (Cordit/C-type, new model used by the KM).
  A red line notes the set was “umgearbeitet” (reworked) with a depot notation “C. Höfen 11.7.43” and an earlier date line 23.4.41—evidence the box was recycled/re-issued by the Navy as stocks were rotated.

• Inspection/transfer strip (narrow form):
  Stamped “Pillau Mai 44” = Pillau, May 1944. Pillau (today Baltiysk) was a major Kriegsmarine base and ordnance hub in East Prussia; this shows the box (and its contents at that time) passed through KM control late-war.

• Pink/red slip:
  “Zur Schießübung” = “For firing practice.” Confirms the set was allocated for live-fire training/zeroing, typical for coastal or shipboard AA crews.

Together these papers document a KM-controlled, reworked practice/tracer ammunition set, inspected at Pillau in 1944 and intended for gunnery practice—exactly the sort of history collectors want.

Exterior markings

• Big “KM” stencil on lid and side.

• Yellow “Lsp” chalk/paint note = Leuchtspur (tracer).

• Faint black unit/contents lines remain on one end (period-worn).

• Signature “R. Lindner” on the underside.
  
  

Specs

• Intended use: 4 cm ammo for Flak 28 (captured Bofors 40 mm)—Kriegsmarine issue
  
  

• Size: 50 × 43 × 22.5 cm - Weight: 8.2 kg (please note, box is heavy)

• Hardware: 2x side hinges, 1x front carry handle, keyhole  (lock is removed when box was reissued)

• Construction: dovetailed corners, raised skid battens, original naval green paint

Condition

Honest service wear throughout: edge rubs, chips to battens, small age splits at seams, darkened steel fittings with surface oxidation, and label fraying inside (still readable as above). Hinges and handle are sound; box is sturdy and excellent for display. No post-war repaint.

Historical note

Germany widely fielded the 4 cm Flak 28 (Bofors) with the Kriegsmarine on escort craft, flak ships, and coastal batteries. Boxes with surviving KM paperwork and a late-war Pillau trace are scarce, especially with “Zur Schießübung” slips showing training
allocation.

Why this matters to collectors

• KM-marked naval piece (harder to find than Heer/Luftwaffe boxes)

• Multiple original labels tying it to Pillau, May 1944 (and earlier years note present)

• Tracer (“Lsp”) notation and practice allocation—great context

• Robust, displayable example of Bofors/Flak 28 logistics

Shipping

Shipped safely packed and tracked from Eastern Europe. Worldwide shipping available. I combine shipping where possible. Please note, box is heavy.

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About Red Brick Depot
Authentic militaria with clear descriptions and careful packing. I combine shipping, answer fast, and I’m based in Eastern Europe—many items come directly from the region’s wartime sites. Thanks for looking!