I recently added this 1942 Twin Cities Ordnance Plant bandoleer to my collection. I was looking for an early war (1942 in khaki #1) example to go with my 1943 to 1945 examples in OD#3. The previous owner told me that he bought this over 50 years ago, but when I asked about the lot card, he insisted that it didn't have one. Imagine my surprise when I checked myself and found this thin paper lot card in the end pocket. It had blended in and was hard to see.

 

Most lot cards I've collected, from WWI until they were discontinued in Feb.1945, are a stiff cardstock that is machine printed. Instead, the lot card found here is a thin paper that looks like it was typed on a typewriter and then mimeographed. All the standard nomenclature is present and legible. First production started at Twin Cities in February 1942, with the lot numbers that year running from 18000 to 18636. I also have a 1943 Twin Cities bandoleer with printed pockets instead of a lot card. That change wasn't authorized until Feb. 1945. Interesting variations to say the least.

 

Just another example of "just when you thought you'd seen it all" and it keeps my ammo collecting interest alive.

That's a neat find, Silverplate.  I have never seen a Lot card just like that one.  Thanks for posting it.

 

Regards,

Charlie

I have a card similar. For the earlier .30 cal M1 ammo I believe. Never could get an answer. It is somewhere in my ammo collection in storage.

 

A blurb about the M1 .30 cal ammo- many don’t realize M1 ammo preceded M2.

 

”The original .30-06 was listed as M1906, a 150 gr flatbase spitzer.
M1 was the 173 gr boattail made for long range fire based on WW I deployment of machine guns. It was GI from about 1925 til 1940 which means the Garand was designed for it.
M2 was the return of the 150 gr flatbase. The "loopy trajectory" was to keep bullets on the range safety zones. The M1 boattails have about a 50% greater range and were landing outside the impact areas. The need for long range rifle caliber rifle and machine gun fire was less what with the .50, more artillery, and air support so it was standardized.
M2 AP is a 165 gr steel core bullet...”

Thanks Charlie. I was quite surprised at the lot card when I saw it. Thought someone might be interested.

 

917601, the M1906 was stuck in there between the M1 and M2 for a short period. Frankford Arsenal updated the original M1906 for use with the Garand. It used the 150 gr. bullet and was produced from March 1937 until September 1938, when it was adopted as the M2. Short run but important transition cartridge.