gr. Vorrat M.P (Large storage box MP)

The Waffenmeister (weapons specialist) played a crucial role in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Their primary responsibility was to maintain, repair, and inspect firearms, including rifles, pistols, machine pistols, and machine guns. They ensured all weapons remained operational and combat-ready, often working in unit-attached workshops.

In addition to repairs, Waffenmeisters followed specific instructions from the “Oberkommando des Heeres” (High Command of the Army) or the “SS-Führungshauptamt” (SS Leadership Office) to implement standard modifications, revisions, or improvements to weapons.

Examples include adding safety retracting handles to MP38/40s or shortening firing pins to compensate for wear.

Highly skilled in gunsmithing and mechanical engineering, Waffenmeisters also distributed spare parts, provided technical advice, and occasionally adapted weapons to meet battlefield demands. Their expertise was vital in keeping the Wehrmacht’s firepower reliable, especially in harsh combat conditions where malfunctions could be costly.

Waffenmeister’s large storage box MP

To allow the Waffenmeister to store and access spare parts quickly, a specially designed wooden box was issued. These cases were constructed from sturdy wood and reinforced with steel strips for added durability. To prevent accidental opening during transport, the case featured a built-in lock that could be secured with a key.

The case was listed in the official D197/1 equipment list as “großer Vorratkasten für MP”.

The exterior of the case was painted dark green. On the top cover, “gr. Vorrat M.P.” was painted in white letters. The front displayed “26 Kg” in red letters, while both sides were marked with “gr. V. M.P.” in white letters. As noted earlier, two heavy steel strips were screwed onto the cover to protect the case from damage caused by falling objects or accidental drops. Additionally, steel protectors were installed on all four corners of the bottom for extra reinforcement.

Two foldable carrying handles were mounted on the sides of the box. The cover was attached with three solid hinges, and to secure it, two shackles were built into the wooden lid and protected under the steel strips. A keyhole, located at the center of the front panel, was shielded by a round metal plate to protect the lock mechanism.

The interior of the case was divided into two sections. The lower section featured a wooden divider that fit into milled grooves inside the box. This divider had multiple slots for smaller partitions, allowing the Waffenmeister to customize the compartments based on storage needs.

The second section consisted of a removable open tray with two side handles. This tray could also be fitted with adjustable wooden dividers to organize parts efficiently.

On the inside of the cover, a black metal content list holder was attached—an element commonly found in German military cases from World War II. This list allowed the Waffenmeister to keep track of the spare parts inventory.

The “gr. Vorrat M.P.” box was part of a series of identical boxes. Other boxes were issued “Vorrat Handwaffen” (K98 Rifle stock) and “gr. Vorrat für M.G.34.” (MG 34 stock)

The outside measurements in millimeters are: 748 mm, 284 mm, 154 mm (L,W,H)

The inside measurements are: 71.7 mm, 25.4 mm, 11.2 mm (L,W,H)

This particular box was stamped with a secret code, a Waffenamt (WaA) stamp, an eagle with Swastika and a year.

Production Code: dpf (B. & H. Reinert, Holzwerk/Munitions- und Transportkisten, Spiegelau, bei Grafenau, Bay)

Waffenamt: WaA99

Year: 1943

"Reverse Engineering" the content list of the "gr. Vorrat M.P." box

Over the years, I have unfortunately not been able to locate an original content list for the gr. Vorrat M.P. box. However, I did come across a rare post-war Norwegian MP40 spare parts box that included a content list in Norwegian. Upon translating and cross-referencing the items on this list, I noticed that the order matched exactly with the listing on the UT-112 (Unterrichtstabelle 112) instructional poster.

The Norwegian post-war box is nearly identical in dimensions to the original German version, so taking these observations into account I believe it is reasonable to assume that the contents of the Norwegian box are the same as those of the German box.

Based on this, we can deduce the following content list for the gr. Vorrat M.P. box:

Gruppe Lauf mit Hülse und Magazinhalter

a Lauf 5

a1 Mutter (zur Laufmündung) 5

a2 Kornschutz 5

a3 Auflage 5

a4 Kornhalter 5

a5 Feder (für Mutter zur Laufmündung) 5

a6 Nietstift (zum Kornhalter) A4h9x 14HgN15205 10

a7 Korn 10

a8 Nietstift (zur Auflage)A4 h9 x 12 HgN 15205 10

a9 Überwurfmutter 5

a10 Ring (geteilt, zur Überwurfmutter) 10

a11 Sicherungsring (zur Oberwurfmutter) 10

a12 Riemenbügel 5

b Hülse, vollständig 2

b 1 Visier 5

b 2 Magazinhalter 2

b 3 Auswerfer 5

b 4 Magazinsperre 5

b 5 Nietstift (zum Magazinhalter) A4 h 9 x 30 HgN 15205 10

b 6 Nietstift (zum Auswerfer) A4 h9 x 27 HgN 15205 10

b 7 Druckbolzen (für Magazinsperre) 5

b 8 Schraubenfeder (für Magazinsperre) 5

b 9 Visierklappe 5

b10 Blattfeder (zum Visier) 10

b11 Nietstift (zum Visier) A2 h 9 x 24 HgN 15205 5

b12 Visierfuß 2

Schaft, vollständig

c1 Kasten, geschweißt 1

c2 Griffstück, vollständig 1

c3 Verschlußbolzen 5

c4 ? 5

c5 Abzug 5

c6 Abzugstollen 5

c7 Druckstück (zur Schulterstütze) 5

c8 Buchse (zur Schulterstütze) 5

c9 Schraubenfeder (zum Druckstück) 10

c10 Strebe, rechte 1

c11 Strebe, linke 1

c12 Nietstift (zum Druckstück) A4 h9x32 HgN 15205 10

c13 Abzugvorrichtung 10

c14 Zylinderstift (zum Abzugstollen) 6m 6x 18 DIN 7 10

c15 Zylinderstift (zum Abzug) 4m 6X 18 DIN 7 10

c16 Federbolzen (zum Abzug) 5

c17 Schraubenfeder (zum Abzug) 10

c18 Schraubenfeder (zum Verschlußbolzen) 10

c19 Knopf (Zum Verschlußbolzen) 5

c20 Nietstift (z. Verschlußbolzen) A4 h9X 22 HgNIS205 10

c21 Schulterblatt 2

c22 Schraubenfeder (zur Schulterstütze) 10

C23 Rastbolzen (zum Schulterblatt) 10

C24 Nietstift (Zum Schulterblatt)A4 12 HgN 15205 10

c25 Griffschale, linke ?

c26 Griffschale, rechte ?

C27 Linsensenkschraube (Zum Griffstück) 6

C28 Zylinderschraube (Zum Griffstück) 6

c29 Buchse (fur Griffschalen) 6

c30 Schraube (zum Schaft und für Griffschalen) 5

c31 Schraube (Zum Schaft) 5

c32 Nietstift (zur Abzugstange) 84 h? x 14 HgN ,t520S 10

Gruppe Kammer mit Schlagbolzen

d1 Kammer, genietet 5

d2 Schlagbolzen 10

d3 Auszieher 10

d4 Griff 5

d5 Nietstift (zum Griff) 2h9x9 HgN 15205 10

d6 Kugel (zum Griff) 10

d7 Schraubenfeder (zum Griff) 10

d8 Buchse (zum Schlagbolzen) 5

d9 Zylinderstift (zum Schlagbolzen) 4 m 6 x 16 DIN 7 10

d10 Rohr, vorderes 5

d11 Rohr, mittleres 5

d12 Rohr mit Füllstück 5

d13 Schraubenfeder (zum SchlagbolFen, außen) 10

d14 Federführung 5

d15 Bolzen (zum Schlagbolzep) 5

d16 Schraubenfeder (zum Schlagbolzen, innen) 10

Gruppe Magazin

e1 Magazingehäuse, vollständig 5

e2 Magazinboden, vollständig 5

e3 Zubringer. vollstandig 5

e4 Feder für Zubringer 10

Kleiner Vorratkasten für M.P. (Small Storage box for MP)

According to the D197/1, there should also be a Kleiner Vorratkasten für M.P. (Small storage box for M.P.). However, I have never seen a confirmed example of this box. It is possible that the internal tray within the Gr. Vorrat M.P. box might actually be the Kleiner Vorratkasten, but this is purely speculation.

While discussing this topic with an advanced collector, I came across a small box filled with various MP40 parts.

What makes this box particularly interesting is a cut-out section between two compartments, designed to fit barrel protectors. While it could be a field-expedient or improvised storage box, I unfortunately have no further information to confirm its origin or purpose.

If you happen to have additional information about this box, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

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