SOLD - Incredibly Rare Luger Drum Magazine "P-Kasten" Armorer's Chest With Contents

Description

2/19/26- For sale is an extremely rare, potentially one-of-a-kind WWI "P-Kasten" armorer's chest for Luger drum magazines, complete WITH five drums, five dust covers, a loading tool, two canvas covers, and a tray of 20 boxes of mixed WWI and WWII 9mm ammo. Just in the value of individual pieces, this set is worth well over $10,000 and as a complete set, it may be one of a handful of complete drum magazine chests in the world outside of a museum!

These chests were introduced late in the war, most likely in 1918, and by that point in the war some of the only units that would need so many drum magazines at once would have been the feared German stormtroopers, who either3 used artillery Lugers in their trench carbine configuration or the newly developed MP18 submachine guns, that accepted the same drum magazine. These kinds of chests would have been in the dugouts as the German stormtroopers prepared their gear for the epic final clashes of the war in 1918.

As for condition, there are many pieces that all require an individual evaluation.

The first canvas cover has gentle wear. Both the top and bottom strap are intact but the leather of the bottom strap is stiff. Overall excellent condition.

The second canvas cover has gentle wear, with one or two small holes poking through the material. Both the top and bottom strap are intact and functional. Overall in excellent condition.

The loading tool has light surface wear and patina but no serious damage. The spring is strong and it will press down the spring in an inserted magazine. The loader has an imperial proofmark. Overall excellent condition.

The first magazine is serialized 69420. It is a Type I. There is light surface wear and some finish loss but no serious damage or scrapes. There is an imperial proofmark. The magazine is marked B/N. The winding lever functions properly. The dust cover is included and does not appear marked. Overall in excellent condition.

The second magazine is serialized 126455. It is a Type 2. There is light surface wear and some finish loss but no serious damage or scrapes. There is an imperial proofmark. The magazine is marked B/N. The winging lever functions properly. The dust cover is included and has a hexagon/honeycomb mark on the top. The dust cover is slightly stuck. Overall in excellent condition. 

The third magazine is serialized 706044. It is a Type 2. There is light surface and some finish loss but no serious damage or scrapes. There is an imperial proofmark. The magazine is marked B/N. The winding lever functions properly. The dust cover is included and does not appear marked. Overall in excellent condition. 

The fourth magazine is serialized 38442. It is a Type 1. There is light surface wear and some finish loss but no serious damage or scrapes. There is an imperial proofmark. The magazine is marked with a hexagon/honeycomb manufacturer mark. The winding lever functions properly. The dust cover is included and does not appear marked. Overall in excellent condition. 

The fifth magazine is serialized 42094. It is a Type 1. There is light surface wear and some finish loss but no serious damage or scrapes. There is an imperial proofmark. The magazine is marked B/N. The winding lever functions properly. The dust cover is included and does not appear marked. Overall in excellent condition.

The 20 boxes of ammo are in varying conditions from good to excellent. The WWI era packages are also sealed in plastic. Some boxes are wartime 1917 or 1918 ammo and others are immediately postwar 1920 or 1921 boxes. The WW2 ammo comes from various years throughout the wartime period. 

The chest itself is constructed from panels of wood that are both interlocked around the edges and then nailed or screwed. The latches and hinges are appropriately aged and made from simple iron. There is some light cracking or separation to the boards after more than 100 years of aging. The chest retains most of the original paint but there are several sections of worn paint or bare wood. The large painted "P" for either "Pistol" or "Patronen" (ammo, in German" is clear and nicely visible. One of the latch hooks on the front is broken off but the other is present and functional. The inside of the lid is stamped "Die T.M. sind von links nach rechts herauszunehmen", meaning "The Drum Magazines are to be removed from left to right". The chest itself is in very good condition. 

The set overall is in excellent condition and a very rare find with chest, magazines, loader, ammo, and canvas sleeves. Just the parts value is well over $10,000 and as a set, you may never find another in your career as a Luger or WWI collector! Just an incredible piece and a true crown jewel for any WWI or Luger collection!