Posted by Roger Domer on January 10, 2025, 2:09 pm
This post is an addendum to one dated January 2, 2025 @ 5:41pm.
Summary: The summary stated on the January 2 post is accurate. Manufacturers had individual alphabetical (alpha) codes, like the Virginia Arms Company (VA), and some may have had both single lot numbers, and blocks of lot numbers to use for shipments. There have been Rochester Ordnance Smiths (ROS) mentioned in the LCSCA forum with markings on the right side plate. They are VA2116, VA2444, and VA2474. These are lot numbers that are in a sequence most likely in a block of numbers that are repeatedly seen throughout the book - "U. S. Military Small-Arms Ammunition Lot Numbers 1928 - 1945". The author is Christopher R. Van Valkenburgh.
Side-bar: Massive kudos go to Mr. Van Valkenburgh who boiled down dozens of operational manuals from 1928 to July 1, 1946 (Pages 11 and 12) into one easily to read book, and to James Stubbendieck of the Research Division of the L C Smith Collectors Association. Both men have contributed immeasurably to who and what America is today.
Discussion: The original documents of lot number VA2444 have not been located. However, we don't need these documents to prove what VA2444 stands for. The military inventory system itself can explain it.
Evidence: I received Mr. Valkenburgh's book and reviewed it as an evidentiary resource document. I was looking for evidence showing that each of the twenty four U S small arms manufacturers had an abbreviation code; they do (Pages 12 and 13). For example, Lake City Ordnance Plant (LC), Frankford Arsenal (FA), Winchester Repeating Arms Company (WRA), and Remington Arms Company (RA or REM) all had abbreviation codes.
Secondly, I saw that some of the manufacturers had script names, or alpha codes letters included on ammo boxes, cartons and cans. These containers are among the few WWII artifacts that remain for observation (pages 23 - 29). Unfortunately, there are only a few containers that can be seen on the net that shows the detail of those displayed in the book. There are two cardboard ammo cartons and one metal ammo can that are shown below. One of them shows the abbreviated manufacturers code and the ordnance plant written in script. Another shows the ordnance plant written in script without the abbreviated code, and the ammo can shows the lot number by itself - LC12802. There wasn't a consistent pattern of displaying the LN on the containers. The point is made, however, that LN codes are shown on all three of the ammo containers.
Shown below are three examples of how the LNs look on the ammunition container (pages 22 -25).*
Lake City Ordnance Plant Block Nos. 12069 to 12532 Ammunition Lot 12367 carton
Winchester Repeating Arms (WRA) Block Nos. 22093 to 22396 Ammunition Lot WRA 22235 carton
Block Nos. 12763 to 12965 Lot 12802 can
*The word 'Ammo' was substituted for 'Ammunition' to save space.
Roger, I wonder if we could or should merge these three threads of Rochester Ordnance Smiths-Lot Numbers, the USA-F information and my original post into one?
Maybe even change the Heading to make it cover all the information we are seeking?
Maybe our Forum Moderator could suggest something?