L42 Transit Case Markings

[DanL96a1]

I was wondering if anyone could help? I am looking into the history of my two L42a1’s, and the associated markings on the transit cases. I’m trying to trace the regiments they would belong to. I was looking on the following website, in one of the pictures the transit case has "W.T." can any one decode this? What dose it mean? as it is on one of my cases. many thanks

http://www.armetec.fr/docs-armes/arm...site-1355.html

Information

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[Mk VII]

I'll take a guess at Weapon Training (dismissing the obvious alternative of Wireless Telegraphy)

[Peter Laidler]

Wt is WEIGHT, as in pounds and ounces. It is an indication for the loadmaster when weighing up freight for aircraft.

You could have a box that big to carry a 1 pound weight of highly delicate and accurate calibration equipment. Or a large steel cross head slide for a milling machine. Same size but...........

[Lance]

Interesting Rifle, first I have seen that has had the rear pad removed at one time.

[DanL96a1]

Many thanks guys!! Peter if “WT” is an indication of weight of the transit case then “Box 22” and “S 4/7”, could relate to shipping consignment numbers? Also what would the significance of the Yellow (Left hand side), and Blue (Right hand side) of the chest unit markings? As mine is Yellow (Left hand side), and Red (Right hand side).

[Peter Laidler]

Ain't got a clue! 4/7 = 4th/7th Dragoon Guards but I doubt it. But the Horseys go in for that gaudy paint stuff

[Thunderbox]

These are all typical unit markings. E.g. each of the rifle/support companys in an infantry battalion would probably have some sort of paint colour code on its items of equipment - everything from bergans to cooking equipment.

When a UK unit moves by air/sea/rail, all vehicles and boxed equipment usually requires shipping information: weight, item number against manifest, number of items, chalk/load/pallet number, etc.

"Box 22" probably refers to the last time it was shipped as part of a unit stores (before it eventually got backloaded to depot and disposed of). "S 4/7" could be a rifle list number, eg "sniper set No4 out of 7 total" (about right for a company holding), or it could be a divisional tac number that identifies the sub-unit.

[DanL96a1]

Thanks Thunderbox I understand that the one with the Yellow/Red markings is from the Irish Guards as part of 5 Coy, this is the one with “S 4/7” on it and “Box 22”. The other Transit Case has a well-worn coating of green paint all over, with “WT” with the Black box pained below; this has Red paint on the left and right sides of the box.

There are markings on the right hand side of the box; there is a sticky label with a metal holder brass I think? This has a green spot in the left hand corner, and it say on it “PRI 13 OF 112 MAIN HQ VA with WT in the bottom left of the sticker, under that is DON-3 088244”. On the left hand side of the box, there is a printed label on it is printed. Top left “194 OF 204 S below DONNINGTON – ABINGDON” this label is very torn. Although the Donnington bit is very worn, and you can only just make out the Abingdon.

[Mk VII]

Central Ordnance Depot Donnington stores a great many items for the Army. It has mysteriously caught fire at least twice in recent years.

My late father was involved in setting fire to the (much depleted by black market sales) stores at Kai Tak in 1946 after it was announced that auditors were coming out from England to take stock of what had already been written off for the projected invasion of Malaya.

[DanL96a1]

Maybe some owners can post information and pictures on the chests that they have? If there’s no reference material for these chests, I guess a link like this will help others.