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THE ONE-QUART NYLON WATER CANTEEN COVER 1966 - 1976


sgtmonroe
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While the majority of this material is included in the book, I have mentioned to other forum members that Craig and I had to cut a lot of excess material to meet the publisher's requirements. A lot of the research into the development of the different load-carrying systems made it into the book, but the contracting and manufacturing portions (as well as anecdotes gleaned along the way) had to be cut. I figured I would start with posting the development and contracting research I had amassed pertaining to the history of the nylon one-quart water canteen cover. Mainly because the topic of nylon water canteen covers comes up frequently on the forum. Hopefully this research will assist others in easier identification of the different nylon water canteen covers.

 

1966

 

14 JANUARY 1966 - Based on the single set of nylon M-1956 Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (LLCE) constructed in 1962, six (6) new complete sets of the nylon M-1956 LLCE were constructed by Natick Laboratories and sent to Vietnam for testing (under ENSURE 148). Three (3) of the nylon water canteen covers (included in the complete sets) featured a unique single flap cover secured by the plastic "quick-release" fastener (as used on the small arms ammunition cases) while the other three (3) nylon water canteen covers were of "standard" design (basically a nylon version of the M-1956 LCE water canteen cover). It is unknown how these trial items were marked, if marked at all. I have yet to find an image of the nylon single-flap water canteen cover or of the other three "standard design" nylon water canteen covers.

 

1967

 

1 JANUARY 1967 THROUGH 13 APRIL 1967 - Due to the positive reaction of the six (6) sets of nylon M-1956 LLCE, an additional 550 complete sets were requested (1 January), completed, and shipped to Vietnam (13 April) for further testing. The nylon water canteen covers for these sets were identical to the three "standard" nylon water canteen covers from the 14 January 1966 sets. The major difference was that 2024-T4 aluminum belt-strap keepers were utilized on the nylon water canteen covers (instead of the standard steel versions). During evaluation, it was found that the aluminum belt-strap keepers broke too easily. These nylon water canteen covers had plastic snap fasteners, water purification tablet pocket, and no drain hole. It is unknown how these trial items were marked, if marked at all.

 

Below is the "official" Natick Laboratories image of one of the 550 sets of nylon M-1956 LLCE, showing the nylon water canteen cover (the second "enlarged" image was originally scanned by Craig). This image is often erroneously labeled as being of the “M-1967” Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment because it first “officially” appeared in the 15 August 1970 dated TM 10-276 Hot Weather Clothing and Equipment technical manual, even though it shows the trial individual equipment belt suspenders, intrenching tool carrier, etc.! Further, in this technical manual, the individual equipment system is still designated Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (even though the “M-1967” term is adopted in June 1970) AND the system is NEVER referred to by the United States Armed Forces (in this technical manual, or any technical or field manual for that fact) as Modernized Load-Carrying Equipment (MLCE). This term for the system was completely FABRICATED by Gordon Rottman and never existed in use by the United States Armed Forces.

 

post-3045-0-40878200-1463645950.jpgpost-3045-0-94221400-1463645953.jpg

 

10 JULY 1967 - After evaluations and trials were finished, of the 550 sets of nylon M-1956 LLCE, USARV requested that the nylon M-1956 LLCE be standardized with some improvements to some of the components. The nylon water canteen cover was classified Limited Procurement Type, on 10 July 1967, as per the requirements of Natick Laboratories Limited Production Purchase Description LP/P.DES 15-67. No military specifications for the Limited Procurement Type nylon water canteen cover were ever drafted due to the item being manufactured for a limited (finite) period of time to meet the immediate requirements of USARV.

 

The Limited Procurement Type nylon water canteen cover was assigned the nomenclature COVER, WATER CANTEEN, NYLON and the Federal Stock Number 8465-860-0256 (on 11 October 1967). The Limited Procurement Type nylon water canteen cover is often (actually all the time) erroneously called a "M-1967" water canteen cover, even though the M-1967 designation was not adopted until June 1970, AFTER this nylon water canteen cover was cancelled due to it being limited procurement, which is defined as "Classification used when a materiel item is required for special use for a limited time, and the specified limited quantity will be procured without intent of additional procurement of the item under this classification. It is used to meet urgent operational requirements that cannot be satisfied by an item type classified standard.”

 

The Limited Procurement Type nylon water canteen cover utilized the MIL-F-43573 plastic snap fasteners (on the flaps), a water purification tablet pocket with hook and loop pile closure (on the front left side), no drain hole at the bottom, and four lines of reinforcement stitching to the front.

 

1968

 

Manufacturing contracts, for the Limited Procurement Type COVER, WATER CANTEEN, NYLON, were let ONLY during FY1968 and FY1969. The following are the only known manufacturing contracts for the Limited Procurement Type nylon water canteen cover:

 

DSA100-68-C-1680: was awarded to LA CROSSE GARMENT MFG CO (CAGE Code 5B918) of Mauston, Wisconsin. The contract was let in February 1968 (third quarter of FY1968) with an estimated completion date of November 1968. The contract was renegotiated in April 1968 with a new estimated completion date of December 1968.

 

DSA100-68-C-2766: was also awarded to LA CROSSE GARMENT MFG CO of Mauston, Wisconsin. The contract was let in June 1968 (fourth quarter of FY1968) with an estimated completion date of December 1968.

 

BELOW: the two (2) FY1968 contract dated Limited Procurement Type COVER, WATER CANTEEN, NYLON showing both Procurement Instrument Identifiers (PII or “contract number”) along with the plastic snap fastener detail. These nylon water canteen covers are part of the Limited Procurement Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (LLCE) system:

 

post-3045-0-55643100-1463645959.jpg

 

DSA100-69-C-0259: was awarded to CARLETON MFG CO (CAGE Code 16830) of Carleton, Michigan. The contract was let in August 1968 (first quarter of FY1969) with an estimated completion date of April 1969.

 

BELOW: the FY1969 contract dated Limited Procurement Type COVER, WATER CANTEEN, NYLON as manufactured by CARLETON MFG CO. CARLETON utilized a script-type font (center of image) for the US marking on the front (instead of a normal block-type font), thus the FY1969 contract dated Limited Procurement Type nylon water canteen covers are easily distinguishable from the FY1968 contract dated production because of this. On the left (in the image) is a printing variation (on the back) where it appears the Procurement Instrument Identifier (PII or “contract number”) was added at the bottom after the fact. On the right (in the image) are three (3) examples (from three (3) different lots) showing the normal markings found on the FY1969 contract dated Limited Procurement Type nylon water canteen covers. This nylon water canteen cover is part of the Limited Procurement Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (LLCE) system:

 

post-3045-0-95161900-1463645965.jpg

 

1969

 

JULY 1969 - While the Lightweight Individual Clothing And Equipment (LINCLOE) Load-Carrying Equipment (LCE) portion, of the overall LINCLOE program, had begun nearly three years earlier, not a lot of time had been spent developing the load-carrying equipment items for the system. In July 1969 the test items (later (retroactively) termed by Natick Laboratories as the "first generation LINCLOE LCE") had been completed and evaluations of the system commenced. The nylon water canteen cover to be utilized for evaluation was the same as the Limited Procurement Type (with plastic snap fasteners, water purification tablet pocket, and no drain hole) but instead of metal belt-strap keepers, newly developed plastic belt-strap keepers were to be trialed.

 

I have seen five (5) of these 1969 trial LINCLOE LCE nylon water canteen covers and all five (5) were identical in design to the Limited Procurement Type nylon water canteen cover. All five (5) were marked (on the front) with the U.S. identification marking with periods after the U and S. On the rear the covers are marked with the word COVER (on the first line) and WATER CANTEEN (on the second line). I have observed one with the "set number" written on it in the typical yellow ink (that one was featured in the book), while another one had a "large grommet" drain hole added for trial purposes.

 

BELOW: the “first generation” 1969 trial LINCLOE LCE nylon water canteen cover with the trial plastic belt-strap keepers:

 

post-3045-0-67853000-1463645973.jpg

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1970

 

15 APRIL 1970 - the initial trials of the LINCLOE LCE were less than stellar and some components were redesigned for the future “second generation” trials. The nylon water canteen cover was completely redesigned (in an attempt to reduce its overall weight) with the bottom removed and replaced with nylon webbing. The acrylic pile inner lining was removed and the plastic snap fasteners were replaced with metal ones. Further, the plastic belt-strap keepers were also complete failure and thus were replaced with standard metal belt-strap keepers.

 

BELOW: the “second generation” trial LINCLOE LCE nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN:

 

post-3045-0-07977000-1463646732.jpg

 

The “second generation” trial nylon water canteen cover continued to be utilized throughout the remainder of the LINCLOE LCE trials (lasting through 1972). When the LINCLOE LCE system was being considered for adoption the “second generation” trial nylon water canteen cover was type classified and assigned the nomenclature COVER, WATER CANTEEN and the Federal Stock Number 8465-001-6472. On 31 October 1972, the “second generation” trial nylon water canteen cover was rejected in favor of using the standardized M-1967 LLCE nylon water canteen cover. The reasons for rejection of the “second generation” trial LINCLOE LCE nylon water canteen cover are detailed in the book.

 

BELOW: An official Natick Laboratories photograph of the "second generation" trial LINCLOE LCE nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN (photograph is dated 10 November 1970) which was assigned the Federal Stock Number 8465-001-6472:

 

post-3045-0-34670300-1463646736.jpg

 

BELOW: A comparison image of the "second generation" trial LINCLOE LCE nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN and the "control" nylon water canteen cover (which appears to be a Limited Procurement Type COVER, WATER CANTEEN, NYLON) from the September 1972 final report of the LINCLOE LCE trials:

 

post-3045-0-53259800-1463646743.jpg

 

BELOW: The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) National Item Identification Number (NIIN) report (with description) for “000016472” – which is the NIIN covering the National Stock Number for the “second generation” trial LINCLOE LCE nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN:

 

post-3045-0-65927900-1463646749.jpg

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1971

 

21 JUNE 1971 (MIL-C-43742) - separate from the LINCLOE LCE trials, the nylon Limited Procurement Type nylon water canteen cover was type classified and standardized (under MIL-C-43742 specifications) on 21 June 1971 as COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967. The M-1967 designation had been applied to the nylon load-carrying equipment system in June 1970 with its full designation being M-1967 Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (LLCE). The difference between the standardized nylon water canteen cover and the Limited Procurement Type nylon water canteen cover was the replacement of the plastic snap fasteners with metal ones. So, again, the nylon water canteen covers with plastic snap fasteners were never assigned the M-1967 designation. The M-1967 LLCE nylon water canteen cover (with metal snap fasteners) retained the same Federal Stock Number, 8465-860-0256, as the Limited Procurement Type nylon water canteen cover.

 

FY1971 - The first manufacturing contract for the COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967, DSA100-71-C-1683, was let to ECT CORP (CAGE Code 4B545) of Fayetteville, North Carolina in June 1971 (fourth quarter of FY1971) and estimated to be completed by December 1971. This contract was manufactured to MIL-C-43742 (21 June 1971) specifications.

 

BELOW: the first nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967 (with metal snap fasteners) from the only FY1971 dated manufacturing contract (and manufactured to MIL-C-43742 specifications). This nylon water canteen cover is part of the M-1967 Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (LLCE) system:

 

post-3045-0-23419800-1463646851.jpg

 

1972

 

FY1972 - only two (2) known manufacturing contracts were awarded, for the COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967, during FY1972. Both contracts were manufactured to MIL-C-43742 (21 June 1971) specifications:

 

DSA100-72-C-0752: was awarded to CBS ENTERPRISES (CAGE Code 1F958) of West Hollywood, Florida. The contract was let in December 1971 (second quarter of FY1972) with an estimated completion date of May 1972.

 

DSA100-72-C-1281: was also awarded to CBS ENTERPRISES of West Hollywood, Florida. The contract was let in March 1972 (third quarter of FY1972) with an estimated completion date of December 1972.

 

BELOW: the two (2) FY1972 contract dated nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967 which were manufactured to MIL-C-43742 specifications. The image shows both FY1972 Procurement Instrument Identifiers (PII or “contract number”). These nylon water canteen covers are part of the M-1967 Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (LLCE) system:

 

post-3045-0-64087500-1463646856.jpg

 

20 DECEMBER 1972 (MIL-C-43742, Amendment 1) - Some deficiencies were discovered with long-term use of the M-1967 LLCE nylon water canteen cover: the standard water canteen cup rim easily rubbed through the acrylic pile lining and nylon duck shell, the closure "flaps" were not stiff enough to "stand" and would "fold in" to the cover when the water canteen was inserted, and there was no form of drainage when excess water built up inside the cover. To correct these deficiencies Amendment 1, to the MIL-C-43742 specifications, was issued on 20 December 1972. The amendment called for a one-inch nylon web reinforcement band to be added (sewn between the nylon duck shell and acrylic pile lining) around the circumference to prevent the canteen cup lip rubbing through the lining and shell. Further, a metal grommet was added to the bottom for drainage and the "flaps" were reinforced with nylon web to prevent them from “folding” into the empty cover. The amended M-1967 LLCE nylon water canteen cover retained the same nomenclature and Federal Stock Number.

 

The 20 December 1972 amended COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967 is easily distinguished from others by the horizontal stitching around the circumference (to attach the inner reinforcement band) in addition to the cover's four rows of vertical stitching and the grommet drain hole on the bottom of the cover.

 

1973

 

17 JANUARY 1973 - the final result of the LINCLOE LCE trials was adopted, as Standard A, as the M-1972 Individual Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (ILLCE) system. The official nylon water canteen cover for the system was the nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967 meeting the requirements of Amendment 1 of the MIL-C-43742 specifications. The nylon water canteen cover was not designed "M-1972" since it already existed (on paper) as "M-1967," thus it retained the M-1967 designation throughout the existence of the M-1972 ILLCE system ( which was only a few months). By the end of 1973, the M-1972 ILLCE system had been renamed All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE). The nylon water canteen cover continued to retain its M-1967 designation when incorporated into the ALICE system until it was officially changed, on 23 July 1974, to COVER, WATER CANTEEN, LC-1 due to improvements made to the nylon water canteen cover (see further below).

 

FY1973 - three (3) known manufacturing contracts were awarded, for the COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967, during FY1973. The first two (2) were manufactured to the earlier MIL-C-43742 (21 June 1971) specifications, while the third was manufactured to MIL-C-43742 Amendment 1 (20 December 1972) specifications:

 

DSA100-73-C-0310: was awarded to EASTERN CANVAS PRODUCTS INC (CAGE Code 08501) of Corozal, Puerto Rico. The contract was let in September 1972 (first quarter of FY1973) with an estimated completion date of June 1973.

 

DSA100-73-C-0416: was also awarded to EASTERN CANVAS PRODUCTS INC of Corozal, Puerto Rico. The contract was let in October 1972 (second quarter of FY1973) with an estimated completion date of July 1973.

 

BELOW: the first two (2) FY1973 contract dated nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967 which were manufactured to MIL-C-43742 specifications. The image shows both FY1973 Procurement Instrument Identifiers (PII or “contract number”). These nylon water canteen covers are part of the M-1967 Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (LLCE) system:

 

post-3045-0-51605900-1463646860.jpg

 

DSA100-73-F-V084: was awarded to LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND (CAGE Code 94646) of St. Louis, Missouri. The contract was let in May 1973 (fourth quarter of FY1973) with an estimated completion date of January 1974.

 

BELOW: the third FY1973 contract dated nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967 which was manufactured to Amendment 1, of MIL-C-43742, specifications as required under its adoption as Standard A as part of the M-1972 Individual Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (ILLCE) system (later re-named All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) later in the year). These nylon water canteen covers can be easily distinguished from earlier versions by the center reinforcement band (along with the vertical stitching) and a metal grommet drain hole:

 

post-3045-0-70673800-1463646864.jpg

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1974

 

FY1974 - four (4) known manufacturing contracts were awarded, for the COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967, during FY1974:

 

DSA100-74-C-0105: was awarded to EASTERN CANVAS PRODUCTS INC of Corozal, Puerto Rico. The contract was let in July 1973 (first quarter of FY1974) with an estimated completion date of April 1974. This contract was manufactured to MIL-C-43742, Amendment 1 (20 December 1972), specifications.

 

BELOW: the first FY1974 contract dated nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967 which was manufactured to Amendment 1, of MIL-C-43742, specifications. This nylon water canteen cover is part of the All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) system:

 

post-3045-0-55929700-1463646997.jpg

 

DSA100-74-C-0323: was also awarded to EASTERN CANVAS PRODUCTS INC of Corozal, Puerto Rico. The contract was let in August 1973 (first quarter of FY1974) with an estimated completion date of December 1973. For unknown reasons this contract was manufactured to the earlier MIL-C-43742 (21 June 1971) specifications.

 

BELOW: the second FY1974 contract dated nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967 which was, for reasons unknown, manufactured to the earlier MIL-C-43742 specifications. This nylon water canteen cover is part of the All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) system:

 

post-3045-0-00667100-1463647001.jpg

 

30 SEPTEMBER 1974 - the Federal Stock Numbering system is replaced by the National Stock Numbering system.

 

DSA100-74-C-0887: was awarded to UNITED STATES SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION of Riverdale, New Jersey. The contract was let in February 1974 (third quarter of FY1974) with an estimated completion date of August 1974. This contract was manufactured to MIL-C-43742 Amendment 1 (20 December 1972) specifications.

 

This contract was obviously "sub-contracted" as the early production covers are manufactured by AMHERST INDUSTRIES (and are marked with Federal Stock Numbers). Later production covers are manufactured by WESLEY AND PINE INC (CAGE Code 6B982) and are marked with National Stock Numbers.

 

During my early research into the ALICE system, Carter Rila helped me out with some information he had gathered for his unfinished manuscript (entitled Accoutrements Of The U.S. Army 1921-1985). One piece of information that he relayed to me was concerning the WESLEY AND PINE debacle. It seems this company (which also had contracts to manufacture nylon flight helmet bags) decided to produce nylon water canteen covers for the civilian commercial market at the same time they were fulfilling their government contract.

 

The nylon water canteen covers produced for the commercial market were of inferior quality to those they were producing for the government contract. They used lighter weight nylon duck and the stitching was not up to mil-specs. The company ran afoul with the government as they decided to mark these nylon water canteen covers with the actual Procurement Instrument Identifiers that they were putting on the government contracted ones, which is not allowed (most companies that do this get around the government regulations by using a fictitious Procurement Instrument Identifier). A government contractor cannot put a current government Procurement Instrument Identifier (that they are awarded and working to fulfill) on the same item to sell for civilian consumption. Once the government got wind of what WESLEY AND PINE were doing they filed an injunction and other governmental legal action was taken. Carter had provided me a link to the original government suit against WESLEY AND PINE, but I have long since misplaced it - and now I cannot seem to find anything on the internet about the case.

 

BELOW: the third FY1974 contract dated nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967 which was manufactured (by AMHERST INDUSTRIES) to Amendment 1, of MIL-C-43742, specifications. This nylon water canteen cover is part of the All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) system:

 

post-3045-0-06344100-1463647005.jpg

 

BELOW: the inferior WESLEY AND PINE commercially manufactured nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967 with actual Procurement Instrument Identifiers from the DSA100-74-C-0887 manufacturing contract:

 

post-3045-0-81797500-1463647008.jpg

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DSA100-74-C-1630: was awarded to EASTERN CANVAS PRODUCTS INC of Corozal, Puerto Rico. The contract was let in April 1974 (fourth quarter of FY1974) with an estimated completion date of February 1975. This contract was manufactured to MIL-C-43742 Amendment 1 (20 December 1972) specifications.

 

BELOW: the fourth FY1974 contract dated nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967 which was manufactured to Amendment 1, of MIL-C-43742, specifications. Two (2) label variations are illustrated: one (1) without the contractor’s name and one (1) with the contractor’s name. At this point the Federal Stock Number system has been totally phased out of service, replaced by the National Stock Number system. The National Stock Number is the same as the Federal Stock Number but with the additional National Codification Bureau Code of “00” (which indicates the United States and the item was “in the system” prior to September 1974). This nylon water canteen cover is part of the All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) system:

 

post-3045-0-02288900-1463647141.jpg

 

23 JULY 1974 (MIL-C-43742, Amendment 2) - it was believed that the changes dictated in Amendment 1 (20 December 1972) to MIL-C-43742 would arrest the deficiencies, with the M-1967 LLCE nylon water canteen cover, reported earlier. However, with actual use of the new canteen cup (standardized in 1972) with the sharper lip/rim, it was discovered further action would be necessary. Natick Laboratories issued a second amendment to MIL-C-43742 (dated 23 July 1974) with changes designed to further increase the durability of the nylon water canteen cover.

 

The new amendment specified the nylon duck, used in fabrication, be increased in weight. In addition, the nylon reinforcement band width was increased by one-quarter of an inch and was to be stitched on top of the pile lining. The four rows of vertical reinforcement stitching were also eliminated. To reflect these changes the designation of the water canteen cover was changed from COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967 to COVER, WATER CANTEEN, LC-1 (with no change to the National Stock Number).

 

1975

 

FY1975 - seven (7) known manufacturing contracts were awarded during FY1975:

 

DSA100-75-C-0524: was awarded to K P B INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS INC (CAGE Code 4K126) of Hillsboro, Wisconsin. The contract was let in October 1974 (second quarter of FY1975) with an estimated completion date of September 1975. This was the last contract manufactured to MIL-C-43742 Amendment 1 specifications and thus the last true "M-1967" water canteen cover manufactured.

 

BELOW: the first FY1975 contract dated nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, M-1967 which was still manufactured to Amendment 1, of MIL-C-43742, specifications. This was the last contract issued for manufacture to Amendment 1, of MIL-C-43742, specifications thus this is the last true “M-1967” nylon water canteen cover manufactured. This nylon water canteen cover is part of the All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) system:

 

post-3045-0-41084900-1463647145.jpg

 

DSA100-75-C-0745: was awarded to EASTERN CANVAS PRODUCTS INC of Corozal, Puerto Rico. The contract was let in November 1974 (second quarter of FY1975) with an estimated completion date of December 1975. This contract was manufactured to MIL-C-43742 Amendment 2 (23 July 1974) specifications.

 

DSA100-75-C-0897: was awarded to K P B INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS INC of Hillsboro, Wisconsin. The contract was let in January 1975 (third quarter of FY1975) with an estimated completion date of February 1976. This contract was manufactured to MIL-C-43742 Amendment 2 (23 July 1974) specifications.

 

BELOW: the second and third FY1975 contract dated nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, LC-1 which were manufactured to Amendment 2, of MIL-C-43742, specifications. These nylon water canteen covers are part of the All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) system:

 

post-3045-0-56728300-1463647149.jpg

 

DSA100-75-C-1141: was awarded to EASTERN CANVAS PRODUCTS INC of Corozal, Puerto Rico. The contract was let in March 1975 (third quarter of FY1975) with an estimated completion date of December 1975. This contract was manufactured to MIL-C-43742 Amendment 2 (23 July 1974) specifications.

 

DSA100-75-C-1235: was awarded to K P B INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS INC of Hillsboro, Wisconsin. The contract was let in April 1975 (fourth quarter of FY1975) with an estimated completion date of December 1976. This contract was manufactured to MIL-C-43742 Amendment 2 (23 July 1974) specifications.

 

BELOW: the fourth and fifth FY1975 contract dated nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, LC-1 which were manufactured to Amendment 2, of MIL-C-43742, specifications. The image shows the Procurement Instrument Identifiers (PII or “contract number”). These nylon water canteen covers are part of the All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) system:

 

post-3045-0-82616100-1463647154.jpg

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DSA100-75-F-U711: was awarded to LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND. This contract was manufactured to MIL-C-43742 Amendment 2 (23 July 1974) specifications.

 

DSA100-75-F-V025: was awarded to LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND. This contract was manufactured to MIL-C-43742 Amendment 2 (23 July 1974) specifications.

 

7 NOVEMBER 1975 (MIL-C-43742A) - the COVER, WATER CANTEEN, LC-1 specifications were revised, on 7 November 1975 (MIL-C-43742A), with the previous amendments incorporated into the specifications and (for reasons unknown - due to no major changes in the nylon water canteen cover design) the nylon water canteen cover designation was changed from COVER, WATER CANTEEN, LC-1 to COVER, WATER CANTEEN, LC-2 (with no change to the National Stock Number).

 

1976

 

FY1976 - four (4) known manufacturing contracts were awarded during FY1976:

 

DSA100-76-F-U433: was awarded to LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND. This was the last contract manufactured to MIL-C-43742 Amendment 2 (23 July 1974) specifications.

 

BELOW: the first FY1976 contract dated nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, LC-1 which was still manufactured to Amendment 2, of MIL-C-43742, specifications. This was the last contract issued for manufacture to Amendment 2, of MIL-C-43742, specifications thus this is the last true “LC-1” nylon water canteen cover manufactured. This nylon water canteen cover is part of the All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) system:

 

post-3045-0-35887300-1463647283.jpg

 

DSA100-76-C-1949: was awarded to K P B INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS INC of Hillsboro, Wisconsin. The contract was let in September 1976 (first quarter of FY1976T) with an estimated completion date of September 1977. This contract was manufactured to MIL-C-43742A (7 November 1975) specifications.

 

BELOW: the second FY1976 contract dated nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, LC-2 which was manufactured to MIL-C-43742A specifications. This nylon water canteen cover is part of the All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) system:

 

post-3045-0-00795800-1463647287.jpg

 

DSA100-76-F-W004: was awarded to LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND. This contract was manufactured to MIL-C-43742A (7 November 1975) specifications.

 

DSA100-76-F-W222: was awarded to LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND. This contract was manufactured to MIL-C-43742A (7 November 1975) specifications.

 

CURRENT

 

Since FY1976T, the nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, LC-2 has been continuously manufactured. The most recent manufacturing contract, SPM1C1-13-D-F503, was let in FY2013 to UNICOR (CAGE Code 82125). Additional awards to the above manufacturing contract, also to UNICOR, were made in 2014, 2015, and most recently for 6,525 units on 12 January 2016.

 

THE VARIETY SHOW

 

Over the years, on this forum and others, a debate has raged as to whether or not the nylon water canteen cover has been “officially” contracted to be manufactured in something other than OG-106 nylon duck. Simply put: whether it is ERDL, woodland, 3-color desert, 6-color desert, black, "desert tan”, Flecktarn, ACU, MARPAT, etc., there has been no other color (besides OG-106) contracted for manufacture for use by the United States Government. It is a pretty sure bet that whatever color it is, it was manufactured for the commercial market.

 

In Gordon Rottman's 1989 book U.S. Army Combat Equipments 1910-88, the author (in his section detailing the Integrated Individual Fighting System (IIFS) development) states "Woodlands-pattern first aid pouch and canteen covers of the same design as the ALICE versions, are attached to the belt..." Some individuals have held this statement as gospel. But what I quoted is all that appears in the book concerning the matter…that is all there is! Rottman offers no further information in the book, nor a source for the information that he wrote (so that the information could be fact-checked). During my research, I (among numerous others) have found numerous errors with this book (and not just this book by Rottman, there are other works of his that have been called into question). Further, when researching the creation and development of the IIFS (for my book), I found absolutely no evidence from Natick Laboratories that a woodland camouflage pattern first aid pouch or water canteen cover were ever trialed with the system. I went as far as asking Greg Lowe (since his company was provided samples of all the trial IIFS material up until 1984 for review), when I interviewed him for the book, if he ever saw the items Rottman spoke of. Lowe’s response was that only the IIFS trial TLBV and the FPLIF had been produced in woodland camouflage pattern.

 

With that being said, I did state that "there has been no other color contracted for use by the UNITED STATES." But, there has been another color contracted for use by another country. In 1975 Natick Laboratories developed tan versions of the ALICE system components for use by the Saudi Arabian Army (SAA). When the Saudi government requested manufacturing contracts be issued (through the United States government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program), the contracted components were solicited to and eventually manufactured by United States government contracting businesses. The component items were even assigned United States National Stock Numbers and not NATO Stock Numbers.

 

A few of these component pieces (of the system) pop up from time to time and throw off those who do not know of the existence of this system. Here is an example post on this forum. There are also a few photographs floating around of United States military personnel utilizing the SAA system components, for the most part seen during Middle East deployments. It is also known that United States military personnel serving alongside SAA personnel have been known to trade equipment items.

 

So keeping with the timeframe of this post...in January 1976, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract DSA100-76-C-0052 was let to K P B INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS INC of Hillsboro, Wisconsin for the US Army Tan Shade 96322 nylon duck Saudi Arabian Army COVER, WATER CANTEEN, LC-2 (National Stock Number 8465-01-012-5967).

 

BELOW: the back of the Saudi Arabian Army tan nylon COVER, WATER CANTEEN, LC-2:

 

post-3045-0-36943100-1463647291.jpg

 

BELOW: the Natick Laboratories designed US Army Tan Shade 96322 nylon duck and web ALICE system for the Saudi Arabian Army:

 

post-3045-0-11720800-1463647296.jpg

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Brian Keith

This is great "in the weeds" stuff! Thanks for all your hard work and posting this information.
BKW

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The Meatcan

This is precisely the sort of posting that makes the USMF such an awesome site! Information that is impeccably researched, thoroughly documented, and accompanied by excellent clarifying photos. It's like Christmas for gear junkies!

Once again, thank you, sgtmonroe.

Terry

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Camaro69427

Thank You so much for this info! I was able to finally identify that my m67 canteen cover was from 1971!

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milsurp_scout_14

I have a tangent to ask about regarding this topic. I pulled this specific canteen cover out of a bunch because of the odd wording. It's an LC-2 cover, with the usual NSN, but instead of a DSA/DLA number, it's marked "Project Order #7149, Defense Personnel Support Center". Would this be a test version of the LC-2 specification? Or just a small batch they ordered for personnel assigned to that office? (Will try and get a picture up soon).

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Thanks guys for all the kind words. Working on the history of the nylon first aid/compass pouch next...hope to have it posted this weekend.

 

I have a tangent to ask about regarding this topic. I pulled this specific canteen cover out of a bunch because of the odd wording. It's an LC-2 cover, with the usual NSN, but instead of a DSA/DLA number, it's marked "Project Order #7149, Defense Personnel Support Center". Would this be a test version of the LC-2 specification? Or just a small batch they ordered for personnel assigned to that office? (Will try and get a picture up soon).

 

Nothing special, they are just contracted by DPSC instead of the DSA/DLA/SPO. DPSC uses their own contract numbers. They have contracted everything you can think of - hot weather coats/trousers (some people call them "tropical coats"), ERDL coat/trousers, BDU coat/trousers, flight clothing, etc. The big thing is trying to interpret their contract numbers...some are four digits (like the LC-2 canteen covers) and some are six digits. The six digit ones usually look like "1234-82" with the "dash 82" being the FY contract date. There is a big debate about the Mitchell helmet covers and the DPSC markings that has been going on for some time.

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Very well done. Excellent images provided. This clearly shows there is an interesting collecting field with the many variations of the nylon duck gear. All this including the ALICE gear is a neglected area, probably do to it being so current. Nice thing is you can go to a current surplus store and dig through bins of ALICE gear and get lucky on occasion and find something out of the norm.

 

With the nylon water canteen covers it appears there is an equally diverse field equal to the much more popular canvas WWII covers.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I really like the way this was researched and presented. I would reallt like to do something like this,someday. Put my history degree to some use.

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