rbl44 RG34

[KroniK]

I present to you my latest find, a rbl44 marked RG34.
Found locally, without contents.

It features the typical greenish paint, but I don't see any golden shine on the outside.
The inside does have a green/golden tint to it.
I took a picture with some other late war blue/grey finishes so you have a comparison.

No vertical divider is present. I find it hard to see if there are remains of spot welds.
Latches are painted as well.

Can anyone confirm if the contents in one of the examples on Antoni's website are typical?

I can take more pictures if necessary.

 

[Scharf]

I believe this is the original finish, if I recall some were green.

 

[luftpirate]

Cool find. Is there any evidence they began omitting dividers in late kits?

 

[pwcosol]

The question is if any of these rbl44 Rg34s were ever final assembled and/or got out of the factory. Have either seen (on this Forum) or heard of them being found in green, tan or black. In the post-WW2 era, such material remaining may have been re-utilized the German BGS and later BW. The way the OP's kit was found is how a fair number of them seem to turn up... empty tins.

 

[Slash]

The question is if any of these rbl44 Rg34s were ever final assembled and/or got out of the factory. Have either seen (on this Forum) or heard of them being found in green, tan or black. In the post-WW2 era, such material remaining may have been re-utilized the German BGS and later BW. The way the OP's kit was found is how a fair number of them seem to turn up... empty tins.

I see no reason or evidence to suggest that the rbl44 kits were not assembled and issued prior to May 1945. They are dated 1944 when production of the rg34 in general was very high. The three letter codes beginning with r would have been issued in approximately November of 1944. The rbl44 kits are not WaA stamped but this practice had ceased for almost all makers by late 1944.

They are however extremely rare with very few observed/reported (I have less than 20 examples recorded). Almost all are in Green/Gray paint with a very few in Blue/Gray or Ordnance Tan. Some have blued steel latches while others have painted closures (about 50/50). Almost all are complete with the center divider and floor plate. All of the examples that I have recorded are maker marked on the large compartment lid. Another interesting observation is that nearly all of the pieces that I have in the databases were found in Europe.

Congrats to @KroniK regarding the great find. In regard to the question about typical contents, I will post pics of the rbl44 from my collection for comparison.

 

[pwcosol]

Slasher said:
Congrats to @KroniK regarding the great find. In regard to the question about typical contents, I will post pics of the rbl44 from my collection for comparison.
Exactly what I was hoping to see!

 

[Nigromontanus]

The question is if any of these rbl44 Rg34s were ever final assembled and/or got out of the factory. Have either seen (on this Forum) or heard of them being found in green, tan or black. In the post-WW2 era, such material remaining may have been re-utilized the German BGS and later BW. The way the OP's kit was found is how a fair number of them seem to turn up... empty tins.

I have some full issued ones.

 

[KroniK]

I would love to have a comparison of the contents, so that we can form a better understanding of this maker.
Again thanks to all contributions.

 

[Slash]

As promised, here are the examples from my collection. They are "as found;" at least as found by me. Both have complete contents and show use/wear. The latches on both are the painted type. Kit #98 has a Type 3a simplified oil bottle while #106 has a Type 3b (fat spout) oiler. Both have Type 4 chains. In my experience, all of the components were made by subcontractors that provided these items to other known makers. Both kits came from European sources.

 

[pwcosol]

Dang it, Slash... I ought to send you a bill for a new keyboard since I will never get all the drool out of it now!
And yes, you other most fortunate collectors out there, please post up pics of your rbl kits as well. Let's make this the dedicated post to that end...