Hello Guys!

Just a silly question. I noticed in many pictures of WWII web equipment that the Haverhill Stitching Company, Haverhill, Mass., used to mark their stuff with odd markings, which almost seem hand written. Please look for example at this Rifle-Carbine muzzle cover: nice U.S. mark and very odd Company's mark... My question: as far as you know how were these markings inprinted? Maybe simply using some crudely made rubber stamps? I can't believe that Haverhill Company had some people payed to hand write these marks...

Thanks

Fausto

the markings:

The 4's look continental European in style?!

 

Sabrejet :think:

Good eye, Sabrejet !

I didn't notice the "4" style. Here another (very little, sorry) picture of another Muzzle Cover by Havershill with the same "4" style. I add another fine picture taken by a superlative thread on the M1 Carbine magazine pouches (on Gunboard's Forum: hope that the author, Jimmy C, will not be displeased...). Here, the "4" on a Havershill pouch is in the usual U.S. style. And a more little picture of a W.L.M.C. made muzzle cover where the "4" is again in European style. Any idea?

Thanks

Fausto

the magazien pouch...

Interesting! If the markings are hand-inked they might have been applied by an employee of European origin?

 

Sabrejet :think:

Maybe...Who knows? Anyhow another little "mistery" about markings...

Fausto

It's legit

 

http://www.allentownshow.net/muz_cov/muzcovers.htm

It's legit

 

http://www.allentownshow.net/muz_cov/muzcovers.htm

 

Thanks for addressing a 'to be asked' question. Several years ago I got several with the markings, and my impression was '...great, some kid was marking on them.' but noticed the consistency of the lettering, the marking media was the starting point of the legitimacy of the markings. Another little mystery solved!

 

Thanks,

Tom

No problem. But I don't think these were hand-inked, that would slow down the production process and would make it more expensive to manufacture. I'm thinking more in the line of some hastily made stamps.

I agree with that. They used similar stamps for all of their web items. Just their choice of font styles.

Now since they are from WWII, when were they suppose to be removed from the rifle or can they just shoot thru it. I know that you could do this with M16A1's and AR-18's. Just wanting some more info?

 

 

Mark

MACVSOG "Living Historian"

You can shoot right through them. But the problem is that the cover obscures your front sight. So you have to remove it to do some accurate shooting. These covers didn't see many field use because they were impractical. More often, condoms and pieces of cloth were used to keep dirt out of the barrel. Some people think they were disposable items, but I do not really believe that. The quality and cost of production were way to high to render them 'disposable'.

There are not many WW2 pictures actually showing these were issued, let alone fastened over the rifle muzzle....

 

Here's one attached to the trigger guard...

Johan, you beat me with that one Maybe you can post a picture from the celluloid muzzle cover tape from your collection as well?

Johan, you beat me with that one Maybe you can post a picture from the celluloid muzzle cover tape from your collection as well?

 

Here you go..

Thanks, was that tape used alot? I never knew something like that existed until I saw your collection.

Thanks, was that tape used alot? I never knew something like that existed until I saw your collection.

 

Don't know if it was really used, but it is described in one of the WW2 QM3-1 Catalogs

 

 

And of course in the GI Collectors' Guide...

Volume 1 or 2? Because I don't have volume 2

Volume 1 or 2? Because I don't have volume 2

 

 

Shame on you! :w00t:

 

Volume II Page 63

Some people still need to earn a degree before they can start making some money and expand their private library

QM Supply Catalog QM 3-4

List of Items for Issue to Troops, Miscellaneous Organzational Equipment

 

1945 Edition, Page 161

Hi All

 

I found that leaving these covers for any length of time attached to a rifle encouraged moisture and damp both to the front sight area and inside the rifling, even indoors in a collection room the material attracts moisture from changes of air temperature. :crying:

 

lewis

It is indeed not recommended to leave these covers on the barrel for long periods of time. Canvas and webbing material has the tendency to collect moisture.

Issued cover with strap removed or makeshift model??? Also note the absence of the stacking swivel on the M1 Rifle.... This picture was taken by Tony Vaccaro near Berlin, Germany May 1945