Thank you for the feedbacks ! So it would be a Navy N-4 jacket with button tabs to the wrists and no USN stamp ? What about the brass 'Talon' branded zipper shape ? I thought it would be with bell shaped puller, typical of those found on US made military jackets of the 1940s... Could it be anything else than ww2 era ? Thanks. P.A

Yes,  cool ish water would be best, room temperature at hottest

Illinigander,         The muzzle is numberless.  The gun is displayed at Gettysburg.  The National Park Service has an inventory of all artillery across the battlefield.  A very astute gentleman, Jerry Coates, initiated the inventory.  If my memory is right no catalog of the artillery tubes at Gettysburg existed before Mr. Coates jump started the task sometime in the 1990's. This gun is very close to the Virginia monument on Seminary Ridge.         In a future presentation I  will write about another twelve pounder at Buena Vista. The artillery secured Taylor's success and dominated the battle.  Other factors contributed to the American hold-on victory such as the terrain, interior lines and easy access to the main road.  The artillery however, rapidly fired, limbered, and raced to another developing crisis with remarkable efficiency.  

Thank you for this. 

Thank you for the updated information, I will need to get an updated Motto catalog.   Apologies to Spartan, as initially it was thought to have been the correct ID from the previous ASMIC motto catalog   Leigh 

God bless him ....

The latest issue of the ASMIC Motto Catalog has that DI as the 361st Engineer Regt. Likewise, the ASMIC Engineer DI Catalog.   ASMIC just released the updated version of the Motto Catalog, featuring full color images of over 18,000 DIs. It is available from the ASMIC Website (www.asmig.org) to both members and non-members.    

Thank You KurtA for your help !!!  I figured it was a paki patch and surly not a issue or authorized one .    Dave

Well, first off, nice looking rifle.  Is the stock cut for the A3 handguard ring or not?  If not, it was made by SA in 1942 could have been used during the big 1942 rebuilds. If A3 cut then there is really no telling when/where/why. Depo rebuild did usually have stamping applied when completed but field units replacing parts or “repairing” did not usually.  

hello all, please does anyone know what is the earliest known date for having in actual use the CRU-8/P chest connector?, could 1957 - 58 be too early? I know a USAF T.O. from springtime 1960 showed it as regularly in service, yet that doesn't say when it had been introduced.   Thanx in advance.