BACKGROUND: As a result of observations of the Russian experimentation with the newly developing paratroop personnel in 1928 the Germans began serious consideration of also developing paratroop units and plans were drawn up for formation of such units in late 1935. Both the Luftwaffe and Army eventually established paratrooper units, consisting of voluntary personnel, on January 29^TH 1936 and March 31^ST 1937 respectively and a paratroop training school was established at Stendal in early 1937. Originally development of special clothing and equipment was undertaken by both branches of service to provide the paratroopers with functional items specifically designed with parachute jumps in mind until January 1^ST 1939 when all the paratrooper units were transferred to control of the Luftwaffe. During WWII the German’s utilized no fewer then eighteen models of parachutes with minor variations to each. Parachutes used by paratroopers were the automatic type with a static line attached to the aircraft which pulled the pilot chute from the bag, deploying the main parachute, when the individual exited the aircraft while the parachutes utilized by aircrew personnel were the manual type with a pull rip-cord for deployment. Additional static line type, cargo parachutes for supplying food, equipment arms and ammunition were also utilized. The parachutes were not personal items but were retained by the units stores and were distributed as required. When in storage the parachutes were housed in specific protective sheet metal containers. This example appears to be designed for a cargo parachute or equipment and is very similar to one photographed in J.R. Angolia & A. Schlicht’s book, Uniforms & Traditions of the Luftwaffe volume 2, page 476.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 21" tall, 15" square, field-grey painted, magnetic sheet metal construction, container with a vertical brazed seam to one side and a brazed on bottom panel. The container has a removable top lid with a brazed on, swivel hinge, steel, carrying handles to two corners. The top edge of all four side corners each have a brazed on, swivel hinged, heavy steel wire, pressure, closure clips to secure the top lid to the container. The top lid is well marked with faint, mostly illegible, white stenciled script that includes, "Wetterfester Behälter für Fallschirmgerät", (Weatherproof Container for Parachute Equipment), "Bauart:", (Type of construction), "Hersteller", (Manufacturer), "Anforderzeichen", (Requisition number), "Gerät-Nr", (Equipment number), and "Werk-Nr.", (Work number). Unfortunately the corresponding type of construction, manufacturer, requisition number, equipment number, and work number are not visible. The interior of the top lid still has its original black rubber weatherproofing seal intact. The container retains about 88% of its original age darkened field-grey paint with small areas of light to moderate surface spotting and additional areas that appear to have been exposed to a high heat resulting in surface cracking and bubbling to the paint. The container also has a few tar remnants and numerous small dings and dents.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $238.00