M1909 Benet-Mercie Ammo Box

[Gildwiller1918]

In 1909, the US adopted a automatic weapon based upon a design made by the Hotchkiss Company, which became known as the M1909 Benet-Mercie Machine Rifle. This weapon was cambered in the standard 30-06 caliber and fired 400 rounds per minute. The cartridges were fed into the weapon by the use of rigid metal strips holding 30 rounds. The weapon weighed 30 pounds and was consider light enough to be man-portable. Upon the entry into WW1, this weapon and the M1904 Maxim gun were the only machine guns available to troops upon arrival in France, that was until weapons were issued from the Allies. 

The box below was used for this weapon, which held 300 rounds on 10 strips. The interior dividers were missing, so I replaced them with new wood. Last few images of the weapon are from internet sources.

[Gildwiller1918]

Just a side note, the M1909 is basically the same as the British Portative Hotchkiss, only difference is the M1909 has a different buttstock, and bipod assembly. Below is a an example of the British version chambered in .303.