{"product_id":"original-ww1-german-9mm-parabellum-ammunition-box-16-inert-rounds-geco-1917-1918-rare-mixed-dates","title":"Original WW1 German 9mm Parabellum Ammunition Box – 16 Inert Rounds – GECO 1917\/1918 – Rare Mixed Dates","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptionally interesting and scarce surviving First World War German 9mm Parabellum ammunition carton, dated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e7 June 1918\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, manufactured by the renowned Gustav Genschow \u0026amp; Co. (GECO) ammunition factory at Durlach, Germany.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis remarkable example retains its original blue-grey cardboard packaging, period German military ammunition label, internal cartridge dividers and a complete complement of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e16 original inert 9mm Parabellum cartridges\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOf particular collector interest is the unusual mixture of 1917 and 1918 cartridge headstamp dates contained within the same 1918-dated carton.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e This fascinating variation provides an opportunity to study German wartime ammunition production across two consecutive years, during the final stages of the First World War.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cartridges bear the distinctive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGe \/ D\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e manufacturer markings associated with Gustav Genschow \u0026amp; Co., together with individual month and year production markings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original printed carton label identifies the contents as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePistolenpatronen 08\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the German military designation for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge used in the famous Luger P08 pistol and other German service weapons.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe surviving packaging is particularly noteworthy. Its blue-grey covering, original German Gothic-script printing, folded cardboard construction and individual cartridge compartments remain present after more than a century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cartridges display attractive period patination, with examples retaining both copper-coloured and silvery-grey projectile finishes. The headstamps remain clearly identifiable, making this a particularly desirable reference group for collectors of Imperial German ammunition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical significance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGustav Genschow \u0026amp; Co. was an important German ammunition manufacturer whose Durlach works supplied military cartridges during the First World War.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy 1918, Germany's ammunition industry was operating under the immense pressures of prolonged industrial warfare. Surviving factory-labelled cartons provide valuable evidence of contemporary production, packaging, component identification and military supply practices.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike individual loose cartridges, this group preserves the original factory packaging and accompanying technical markings, offering a much more complete historical presentation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRemarkable overall survival for a First World War cardboard ammunition carton. The packaging exhibits expected age-related wear, minor tears, creasing, staining and some deterioration around the edges and corners. The original printed label remains substantially legible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll 16 cartridges are present and retain their complete external appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 1917\/1918 date mixture is an unusual feature; whether the mixed cartridges represent original factory packing or a later historical combination has not been established.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA highly attractive and historically significant First World War German ammunition collection piece, combining original 1918-dated packaging, identifiable manufacturer markings and an unusual mixed-year cartridge group.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tommies Militaria and Collectables","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57737670328695,"sku":null,"price":179.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0698\/9263\/6991\/files\/IMG_9628_01e20d0e-78b8-4f44-b81b-9e9c1be02495.jpg?v=1794411101","url":"https:\/\/tommies-militaria-and-collectables.myshopify.com\/products\/original-ww1-german-9mm-parabellum-ammunition-box-16-inert-rounds-geco-1917-1918-rare-mixed-dates","provider":"Tom \u0026 Jerrys Militaria and Collectables","version":"1.0","type":"link"}