What's the consensus - original or repro and, if original what for?

[10FM68]

I recently bought these on eBay.  I wanted them to put bits and pieces in thinking they were the same size as tobacco tins, but they aren't they're much smaller.  Anyway, there seem to be a lot of them on eBay at the moment and I therefore wondered whether they really do date from WWII.  If they do, what percussion caps were they for?  And, again, if they are original, is the colour authentic SCC-15?  They don't seem to have been used and the stencilling is incomplete, so they could have come from a large stock of unused tins, but, equally, they might have been made in India earlier this year.  I've no idea - has anyone on here?

 

Thanks in advance

 

10 68

[Duson]

Hi, yes these are authentic WWII tins for percussion caps used in different types of booby trap switches, time pencils etc. The caps are used to light up an instagenous fuse, cordtex or safety fuse or can be put into a detonator like No.27 and.then inserted into a plastic explosive like Nobel 808, PE No.2 etc...  Often used by the SOE but also by sappers. The tins themselves are not very rare, unlike the caps.

Here with the No.2 MkII pressure switch example.

[10FM68]

Very many thanks for your prompt and comprehensive reply.  Only remaining question: can I take the colour as an accurate, contemporary example of SCC15?

[Duson]

I doubt that it is SCC15 as I think the Olive drab is darker and was first introduced in April 1944 whilst these tins showed up in 1943. I may be wrong but I think it is closer to the Khaki Green G3 which was used in early war years.

[10FM68]

Again, thank you.  I think you're probably right - it would be too early for SCC15 and it does seem close to khaki green G3.  Interesting.  Thanks again