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LOT 414
Very Scarce “P-Kasten” Field Case for Artillery Luger “Snail Drums”, with Five Drum
Magazines and Accessories - Measuring 9 1/2 inches tall, 17 inches wide and 6 1/2 inches
deep, with green painted hardwood construction and a white/silver “P” painted on the front
over a faint black stencil, the “P-Kasten” (Patronen Kasten, or cartridge box) was introduced
in 1918 for storing and transporting five Artillery Luger “trommelmagazin” drum magazines
with cartridges and accessories. While manufactured in quantity, relatively few were taken
home as war trophies, and they are not commonly seen on the American market. All
five magazines are lined up and nested together with individual slots in the case, a small
removable divider to keep everything in place, and a slot for a single loading tool. All five
included magazines are Bing Brothers production with second model winding mechanism,
one with the earlier style “flat” top panel. A smaller section of the case is taken up by a slip-
out tray with four slots for holding boxed ammo. Included along with the magazines is one
Bing loading tool, six lip protectors, one machine pistol adapter sleeve, two Artillery Luger
manuals, one submachine gun manual, and 28 boxes of ammunition (mixed makers, sealed
and unsealed).
CONDITION: The case is very good, with some fading of the paint and stencils, and mild
wear overall. The drums and lip protectors show a mixed brown and gray patina with mild
spotting and light handling marks; while not function tested, they retain good spring
tension. The manuals and ammo boxes show wear, tear and staining appropriate to age.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500