Saw-Knife-Shovel Assy, Type A-2?

[MikeL]

Greetings all,

 

I just came across what I thought was the Type A-2 Saw-Knife-Shovel assembly as used in the Cold Weather kits. However, the PNs marked on the pieces do not match my other assemblies.

 

The A-2 assemblies I had are both unmarked on the handle (should be PN 50C3586 IAW the TM), marked 60C90302 on the shovel (this PN is for the whole assy and the shovel is 60C90304 IAW the TM), and 60C90303 on the saw-knife blade envelope.

 

The assembly I just got is marked 50C3946 on the handle, 50C3947 on the shovel, and 50C3948 on the saw-knife blade envelope.

 

How many variations were there to this tool? I haven't pulled the other A-2s out to compare if there are any physical differences, only compared numbers logged into my database. Maybe I'll be able to get to them this weekend but I wondered if anyone knew off the top of their head or had any reference to these new numbers. All the TMs and references I have list the old numbers except I see the FSN changed from 5110-212-1560 to 5110-733-7129 sometime after 1966. Could this be the PN/design change?

 

[Survival]

They started using those in the early 1950s. I believe you just purchased an earlier version. I believe the numbers you are quoting are the drawing numbers. The 60 numbers were a modification of the 50 numbers. Probably some change you can't even see. Don't know all the variations.

[Survival]

FYI In the 1950s the drawing number assigned to the entire A2 assembly is 50D3945. Here is a link to a current E Bay auction of that assembly. The stock # 7900 656130 4 is shown on the yellow tag in one of the pictures.

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-korean-war-USAF-type-A-1-Pilots-Survival-Shovel-Saw-Kit-/172410194213?hash=item282472c925:g:B20AAOSwzaJX~uC0