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An ammunition box or cartridge box is a container designed for safe transport and storage of ammunition. It is typically made of metal and labelled with caliber, quantity, and manufacturing date or lot number. A rubber gasket is commonly found in the hinged lid to protect the ammunition from moisture damage.
Contents
The resealing ammunition box is largely a NATO tradition. Warsaw Pact nations typically stored and transported ammunition in single-use "spam cans". They had crates that had a sealed zinc lining on the inside. In World War II, Duct tape was used to seal opened ammo cans.
Commercial Ammunition Boxes
Not all ammunition boxes are metal, however. Wood and cardboard have also historically been used as a method of packaging and storing ammunition. Some enthusiasts and investors collect historical ammunition boxes.
Storage
Due to their durable construction, used metal ammunition boxes are popularly re-used for general storage and other purposes. Used ammunition boxes have lead and propellant residue inside, so they should not be used to store food or drink. Commercially made new or fully reconditioned used cans do not have this problem. Used boxes are often sold at military surplus stores.