Box of iron core ball ammo made in 1940 for use in machine guns.  This is scarce ammo since the ammo wasn't normally marked "fur MG" (for machine gun).   This is a very early production of iron core bullets and also very early production of lacquered steel casings.  The typical ball ammo made in 1940 used the copper coated steel casing.  Brass cases were also being used at that time. 

$30 per box.

Patronen which means cartridges.
 
S. m. E. means iron core pointed ball bullet.  

The second line shows that the cartridge components were assembled by Markisches Walzwerk GmbH, Strausberg Bez Potsdam (P315 code).  It was their 26th delivery lot of 1940.

Nz. Gew. Bl. P. means nitro cellulose rifle flaked powder.  (2, 2, 0.45) means the powder particles are 2mm by 2mm by .45 mm.  The powder was made by Deutsche Sprengchemie, Moschwig (Mog), delivery lot 117 of 1940.

Patrh. means cartridge case.  S(Stahl) means steel case and lackiert means lacquered.  It was made by Markisches Walzwerk GmbH, Strausberg Bez. Potsdam (P315 code), delivery lot 24 of 1940.

Gesch. means bullet, made by Markisches Walzwerk GmbH, Strausberg Bez. Potsdam (P315 code) delivery lot 21 of 1940.

Zdh. means primer (Zundhutchen), made by Rheinisch-Westfälischen Sprengstoff (R.W.S.), delivery lot 646 of 1940.  

The P315 means the cartridge case was made by Markisches Walzwerk GmbH, Strausberg Bez Potsdam. 

40 means it was made in 1940. 

24 means the 24th delivery lot for that year. 

IX91 is coding having to do with the steel case. 

IX is the code for August-Thyssen-Hütte A.G., Franz-Lenze-Str. 3, Duisburg- Hamborn, the steel mill who produced the steel for the case.

91 is the steel analysis number from the factory.

 

You can just barely see the green primer annulus (sealant) indicating ball ammo.

 

 

 

 

Box maker code appears to be HJL or, possibly JHL, dated 1939.