hirsca Posted January 22, 2017 Share #1 Posted January 22, 2017 I'm trying to date this tube. Having a postal zone numeral following the manufacturer's city places it somewhere between 1943 and 1963 when the postal zones were used. This obviously covers three different wars. The only information that I could find on GEM Products, Inc. of Milwaukee had to do with the manufacture of cleaning products and penetrating oil. I know that these had a wide spread existance in the military, but hope to find out when this particular manufacturer was providing this product to the US military. Thanks, Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas36th Posted January 22, 2017 Share #2 Posted January 22, 2017 I talked the guys down at the Fort Sill museum about these. We both believe that these were made in 1951. But we don't have documents to back that up. As for GEM Co. I can't add anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hirsca Posted January 22, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted January 22, 2017 Thank you Texas36th. With the stock number being 51-F-2073, that would make sense. But, like you said, documentation would tell a lot. I'm wondering if the 51 prefix might be for a category in the supply system? Thanks again, Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinb Posted January 23, 2017 Share #4 Posted January 23, 2017 You're correct that the 51 in the stock number is a classification number and not related to the date. Class 51 items include "wax candles" and "soaps". But even with that said, the MIL- part of the number makes it post WW2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hirsca Posted January 23, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted January 23, 2017 You're correct that the 51 in the stock number is a classification number and not related to the date. Class 51 items include "wax candles" and "soaps". But even with that said, the MIL- part of the number makes it post WW2. Thank you robinb. As always, your input is spot on and very informative. Your post on 25 February 2015 described some of the Hexamine fuel tablets. Is there any way to determine when GEM Products, Inc. supplied the Hexamine tubes to the US Military? Possibly base on the Mil #?. Thanks, Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Colt Posted January 23, 2017 Share #6 Posted January 23, 2017 Lots of great information in this post! I just saw one yesterday but passed it up cause i knew it was postwar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinb Posted January 23, 2017 Share #7 Posted January 23, 2017 It's post WW2 to about 1960 or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Albaugh Posted February 21 Share #8 Posted February 21 I wonder what the date of this one might be? Oh yes, remember these water purification tablets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now