I picked this up at an antique store.  I know what TAEGA means, as well as the TW initials.  Since it does not have dept. of defense Eagle, is it WWII?

thanks

I picked this up at an antique store.  Is if from WWII given that there is no department of defense eagle?  I know what TAEGA and TW stand for.

thanks

John

TW is Twin Cities ordnance plant in Minnesota 

Yes, I knew that.  Does the number 19500 correspond to a date in any fashion?  I am  really curious about the markings on it and whether it is from WWII.

thanks

john

Sorry about that.  I guess I wasn’t paying attention when I read it as I thought it said you didn’t know what TW meant.  I’m traveling but if no one has provided an answer I’ll check my lot pubs to see if I can provide a better date tomorrow when I get home.  Late 18000 are 43 and I don’t believe TW made ammo after 45. My apologies. 

Post WW2.

Robinb

thanks for your response.  What is it that tells you it is post WWII?

thanks

 

 

Thanks, I appreciate your willingness to dig deeper and provide more info

https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/385822-what-is-the-age-of-this-30-06-ammo-box/

Because post WW2 is when the TAEGA abbreviation / coding was used.

Check this link and see what it details, and scroll down and you will see the date range and meaning of the TAEGA marking

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_United_States_Army_munitions_by_supply_catalog_designation

 

Neither Robinb's answer nor the Wiki article tells the whole story, but as Wiki indicates the Five-digit alpha-numeric AIC did come into existence during the WWII years, to expedite ammunition ordering, delivering and identifying cases on the battlefield.  Specifically, not mentioned the second digit was changed to a number, but the 3rd, 4th and 5th digits were letters (alpha).  Initial AICs included the first two digits as "alpha" as in the OPs question TAEGA.  As the system matured and more ammunition items added, the second digit was changed from "alpha" to "number" for example T1EGA.  Therefore, while I don't actually know, there is a good chance that the example above was sometime after late '42 and before the end of the war. The first two-digit alpha system did not exist very long, and is comparatively minor (rarer in actual examples, less evident in the entire world of AICs, etc.) compared to the first digit alpha, second and remaining digits numbers.

While the AIC was used until 1958 or thereabouts, it was less used from 1954 on.  While you could find cases of ammo so marked even during the Vietnam era, it was not used on new production ammo much even in the end of the Korean era.  Finally, the AIC was NOT replaced by the FSN and subsequent NSN.  It was functionally replaced by the DODIC and DODAC systems.  As with the AIC, these two subsequent systems could identify a type of ammunition, packing, intended weapon, etc. but NOT identify a specific item as the FSN and NSN do.  For example, the FSN could change based on minor changes in powder, packing, etc.  The AIC and the DODIC allow "suitable substitutes" to be included in fulfilling an order for ammunition.  For example, a troop in combat doesn't really care about the specific FSN if he needs ammo for his weapon, and by requesting a particular AIC and/or DODIC he will get any available item that will fulfill his needs.  Really important in combat when every item may not be available.

Just some thoughts based on my many years in ammunition and research of the AIC system specifically.

On 11/25/2025 at 10:08 PM, Kidspurple said:

Yes, I knew that.  Does the number 19500 correspond to a date in any fashion?  I am  really curious about the markings on it and whether it is from WWII.

thanks

john

Lot 19500 is post 1950 Manufacture