Jump to content

What would this large WW2 "US" stamp have been used on?


avigo
 Share

Recommended Posts

I just bought this awesome WW2 "US" marking stamp. Metal serif letters, metal handle. OD green painted wood, marked "1942".

Measures exactly 12" wide.

 

I am assuming this is for equipment of some kind, but I have no idea what would need a stamp of this size.

 

Any ideas?

 

I'm thinking maybe big tarps or shipping containers, vehicles, etc.

 

Also, stupid question, but were phillips screws widely used during the war? I know they only came out in the late 30s. The ones on this are painted over with the original paint so I am assuming they are period, was just curious.

Thanks!

 

$_57.JPG?rt=nc

$_57.JPG?rt=nc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Super cool! I'd be running around the house stamping everything US right now.

 

Haha, that was my first thought when I got it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

RustyCanteen

It's green so no doubt some military purpose but I can't think of anything that was marked that large. Sort of makes me think of the old mail bag markings, large enough to read from a distance.

 

Neat whatever it is.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys! I'll definitely be using it to stamp some stuff!

Do you think they used a brayer to ink this up or some kind of other inker?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Stamp out some T-shirts with it and I'm sure it will be a big seller!

 

That's what I'm hoping to do!

I think the oversize nature of it will make a unique shirt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think if you make some shirts and sell 'em for $10-$20 you will make a FORTUNE

 

-Dave

 

 

Then I still have the same question as I did in another thread I started...would I get in trouble legally for using this on a shirt?

Although I find it unlikely that they could possibly have a trademark on the letters "US".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I dont think the government can trade mark letters.

 

-dave

 

Well, you can trademark a word, but ya, it seems pretty unlikely that "US" could be trademarked. Especially a stamp make 75 years ago.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From a word usage perspective, it's a relatively recent phenomenon to use abbreviations without the periods.

 

US instead of U.S.

 

I can't imagine a stamp being made during WWII that didn't include the periods.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From a word usage perspective, it's a relatively recent phenomenon to use abbreviations without the periods.

 

US instead of U.S.

 

I can't imagine a stamp being made during WWII that didn't include the periods.

 

I guess the periods could have been added after the fact. This is definitely WW2 vintage.

 

And I think I do have some random bags and such that are stamped US from ww2 and do not have the periods.

 

Also, some of the Navy marks with US in them didn't have periods in WW2 (the inspector's stamps, etc.) But I know that this was most likely not used for the Navy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The US marking without periods was pretty common in WWII

 

 

 

Thanks for posting that! Was just trying to find some of the bags I have with that mark.

I thought it was pretty common too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...