*NOTE TO EBAY - THESE BOXES ARE EMPTY AND DO NOT CONTAIN ANY RESTRICTED AMMUNITION COMPONENTS*

Up for your consideration is a three-piece set of empty replica early Vietnam War era 5.56 MM BALL M193, TRACER M196, and HPT/PROOF M197 military contract boxes.

The 5.56mm cartridge came out of a joint effort to develop a new rifle and its ammunition simultaneously for the DOD. Constant refinement of the Remington .222 cartridge by Remington and Frankford Arsenal for the new light rifle led to the .223 cartridge with improved ballistics and a more compact size. In August 1963, the new cartridge was standardized as the CARTRIDGE 5.56 MM BALL M193. Development of a Proof cartridge for the new rifle, as well as a Tracer cartridge was also carried out simultaneously, resulting in the adoption of the M196 Tracer and M197 HPT/Proof cartridges in late 1963. Mass production of the M193 Ball cartridge by Federal, Olin and Remington began in 1964 in order to support the new rifle's introduction in Vietnam. By 1966, demand for the new cartridge had increased to the point that both Lake City and Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plants were also given contracts to produce the 5.56mm cartridge in both the M193 Ball and M196 Tracer loadings, while Remington and Lake City produced the M197 Proof cartridge.

Each single purchase is for three unassembled cartons with one each of a Remington Arms Co. M193 Ball label, Twin Cities M196 Tracer label, and Lake City M197 Proof label. The lot numbers are hand stamped on the cartons prior to shipping, either matching my original, or if you prefer, I can match the lot number of an ammo box or carton that you may have. The cartons and dividers will be shipped flat, with assembly instructions. I had a lot of these made, so if you want multiple sets, just change the auction quantity before you click on the "Buy It Now" button. 

Check my feedback and buy with confidence. I prefer paypal, and shipping to US addresses is free. I will ship internationally, but there will be extra shipping charges involved, and they will be added by eBay during the checkout process. I can also combine shipping for multiple items on international orders. If you have a lot number preference, then please send details to me on the eBay checkout page, or send me an email.

 Be sure to check out all my other replicas. Just click on my store link at the bottom of this listing.

 Thanks for your interest and I appreciate your business.