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Miscellaneous | |||||
This is some miscellaneous equipment used on jeeps. Most of this was standard issue, so it will probably also have been used on other US Army vehicles. | |||||
Fire extinguishers: MV's were issued with civilian style fire extinguishers (see pic). The best known of these were Pyrene and Fyr-Fighter, but other manufacturers were also contracted. Some were painted, but most remained natural (brass). They did however have military nomenclatureplates glued to them. There were 2 types of brackets: an early one with only one strap that was used until early 1943, and a second model with 2 straps used from early 1943 onwards. Early MB's had the bracket fitted at the side under the dashboard, in front of the doorway at the passengerside, standard MB/GPW's had them on the driver's side. The placement on one of the fenders is post-war. Blueprints to make the 2nd model bracket can be requested at Jeepdraw (free). Jerrycans: Since WWII the US Military has carried spare fuel in 5 gallon cans. These are of the familiar model with the 3 handels on top. What most people don't know is that this is a German design. Examples of these cans were captured in North Africa and quickly copied by the US and Commonwealth forces (hence the name "Jerry"; the nickname for a German). There are different versions, such as the fuel can, water can, wich had identical round screw-type closures and were identified by the stamped in "G" (gasoline) or "W" (water). Obviously thses cans were mixed up regularly. There was also a soup(food) can, with a large click style closure. All are marked with nationality and producerstamps, with the year of manufacture stamped on the top or on the bottom. These cans are still being used by every modern army and civilian versions are common. However, WWII cans are made in huge amounts (over 15 million) and can be found very easily. A nice WWII US fuel can in good condition will cost about US$25, the British one about US$15 and these can sometimes still be found at dumpstores, but the German cans are much more expensive. A nice Wehrmacht issued one will do around US$75, and the SS marked cans won't be found for less than US$100 in a poor but restorable condition. The USMC cans are similar to the US Army cans except some small details. All USMC fuel/water/food cans are marked USMC and the closure of the fuel can is in the middle of the top; the regular cans have it on the left side. The style for the closures are identical to the the Army supplied cans. All USMC cans are rare and will cost some serious money, if you can find them in the first place. Another version: although I have no proof of this, a former US Marine told me that there were no USMC marked cans in use in WWII and that they used standard USN/USA equipment, and that cans that are marked USMC were produced by the United States Metal Can Company. I don't know if that is true, but it is a possiblity; decide for yourself what to believe. All cans were carried in the standard carrier, which was fitted with 4 bolts to the vehicle. Jeeps had them mounted on the left side of the rear, and sometimes another one was fitted on the passenger side between the frontfender and the "doorway". These were mostly used to carry water/food cans. Rifleholder: Most unarmoured vehicles were equipped with rifleholders. These were ment to store your weapon in the vehicle so they would be out of your way, but close enough to get them very rapidly if needed. In jeeps they were usually fitted against the inside of the windowframe, under the glass, but in other vehicles they were fitted where ever they would fit. The holder would take the .30 M1903 Springfield rifle, the .30-06 M1 Garand and the .30 M1 Carbine, altough many other rifles will fit. It came with a canvas cover to keep dirt and water off the weapon; some believe this cover was only used on racks in the Dodge WC or GMC deuce-and-a-halfs. Page 2 |