75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

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Zwoodman
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75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by Zwoodman » Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:54 am

Well we received our new addition to our collection...

75 M.M. PACK HOW. M OF 1923E
WVT. ARSENAL EXP. NO. 1
1923 118 LBS INSP. C.A.W.

We have just started documenting the condition and state of the gun and carriage. Attached are a couple of photos and more will come as we progress through the restoration of this magnificant gun! As we we did our initial look over this gun has not been demiled and could be restored back into operation.
Attachments
IMG_0397.jpg
Breech Data:
75 M.M. PACK HOW. M OF 1923E
WVT. ARSENAL EXP. NO. 1
1923 118 LBS INSP. C.A.W.

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IMG_0397.jpg (33 KiB) Viewed 2806 times
IMG_0346.jpg
Pallet View

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IMG_0346.jpg (38.5 KiB) Viewed 2806 times
IMG_0358.jpg
Left View

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IMG_0358.jpg (39.66 KiB) Viewed 2806 times
Zane Mohler

41 Dodge WC4 8670369 DoD 5 - 16 - 41
43 Rock Island Arsenal M3A4 Handcart 7390
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 17374
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 21424
44 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 29324
44 M53 Airborne Scooter 35289
44 Willys MB 350841 DoD 7 -12 - 44
44 Willy's MB-T 58396 DoD 1 - - 44


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TopKick
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by TopKick » Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:58 pm

Outstanding! You R A Lucky Dog! 8)
"Keep 'Em Rolling"
TopKick

"Until it's melted down and turned into something else, or blown to Smitherines, it's restorable"!

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Austringer
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by Austringer » Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:18 pm

What's the history behind it, was it still at a DoD facility? US or overseas?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Jason
Jason Green
Atlanta, Ga

STILL NOT associated with the Georgia MVPA 15 years and counting as long as that one guy is president of the club....

1963 Willys M151 (under resto)
1969 M706E1
1983 M106A2

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Alex Schmidt
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by Alex Schmidt » Fri Aug 17, 2012 11:55 am

Hello Zane,

I might be able to get you some springs, contact me offlist.

Any chance of some better pictures?? also numbers on the other dataplates, have not much info on very early Packs.

Thanks,

Lex Schmidt
1910 P&M R.F.C. mtrcycle
1939 White 704 S 5 ton
1940 Matchless G3
1940 Norton Big 4
1941 FordGP #16601
1943 G.E. 75mm Pack How.
1943 Welbike Parascooter
1944 Cushman Parascooter
1944 Cooper Parascooter prototype
1944 DKW RT 125 N.a.

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Zwoodman
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by Zwoodman » Fri Aug 17, 2012 7:01 pm

Alex Schmidt wrote:Any chance of some better pictures?? also numbers on the other dataplates, have not much info on very early Packs.
We are going through the entire pack and carriage with a fine tooth comb and taking alot of pictures and notes, documenting anything we find. I will post more pictures as we go through the documenting process... we want to do this process correctly as this is a rare piece and not much is documented about the experimental pack howitzers.

Austringer wrote:What's the history behind it, was it still at a DoD facility? US or overseas?
This gun was in storage at Fort Meade, MD. We found it on a collection list and it was authorized for us (Artillery Museum) to get it through the Center of Military History because it fits our museum's artillery mission.
Zane Mohler

41 Dodge WC4 8670369 DoD 5 - 16 - 41
43 Rock Island Arsenal M3A4 Handcart 7390
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 17374
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 21424
44 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 29324
44 M53 Airborne Scooter 35289
44 Willys MB 350841 DoD 7 -12 - 44
44 Willy's MB-T 58396 DoD 1 - - 44

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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by jimeyster » Sun Aug 19, 2012 2:10 pm

Very nice! I was just at the Ft Sill museum on Saturday. My son is in FA BOLC. Good thing it rained or my dried saliva would be all over your outdoor exhibits!

Hope this doesn't hijack the thread, but where do I get more info on collecting. I've got a 53 m38a1 and a 72 m35a2 and would like to find period pieces for them. I understand demill and DD. I initially bit on the pack howitzer, but I thought 35k
for a demill was steep.

Ignorance is a terrible thing. Please enlighten!

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Zwoodman
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by Zwoodman » Wed Aug 22, 2012 3:19 am

More pictures
Attachments
IMG_0344.jpg
IMG_0344.jpg (35.71 KiB) Viewed 2504 times
IMG_0355.jpg
IMG_0355.jpg (34.61 KiB) Viewed 2504 times
IMG_0362.jpg
IMG_0362.jpg (36.59 KiB) Viewed 2504 times
Zane Mohler

41 Dodge WC4 8670369 DoD 5 - 16 - 41
43 Rock Island Arsenal M3A4 Handcart 7390
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 17374
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 21424
44 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 29324
44 M53 Airborne Scooter 35289
44 Willys MB 350841 DoD 7 -12 - 44
44 Willy's MB-T 58396 DoD 1 - - 44

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Zwoodman
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by Zwoodman » Wed Aug 22, 2012 3:20 am

Here is another group of pictures.
Attachments
IMG_0394.jpg
IMG_0394.jpg (31.56 KiB) Viewed 2504 times
IMG_0388.jpg
IMG_0388.jpg (34.02 KiB) Viewed 2504 times
IMG_0386.jpg
IMG_0386.jpg (33.25 KiB) Viewed 2504 times
Zane Mohler

41 Dodge WC4 8670369 DoD 5 - 16 - 41
43 Rock Island Arsenal M3A4 Handcart 7390
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 17374
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 21424
44 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 29324
44 M53 Airborne Scooter 35289
44 Willys MB 350841 DoD 7 -12 - 44
44 Willy's MB-T 58396 DoD 1 - - 44

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Zwoodman
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by Zwoodman » Wed Jun 05, 2013 11:30 am

The restoration project has started and alot of pictures will be added in the following weeks! I have most of it broken down with the exception of the cradle and bottom sleigh, and the elevation mechanism and front trail section. I have noticed alot of differences between our 1943 dated gun and the experimental gun.
Zane Mohler

41 Dodge WC4 8670369 DoD 5 - 16 - 41
43 Rock Island Arsenal M3A4 Handcart 7390
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 17374
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 21424
44 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 29324
44 M53 Airborne Scooter 35289
44 Willys MB 350841 DoD 7 -12 - 44
44 Willy's MB-T 58396 DoD 1 - - 44

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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by W. Winget » Thu Jun 06, 2013 10:32 am

I gotta ask, what's the piece on top of the rear of the top jacket? I've often seen little protrusions on other guns where this part is, but never that particular part referenced anywhere.

There's a nice wooden wheeled Pack 75 at the American Legion in Barstow California. Later model though, likely Marine issue for Pacific Theater.
V/R W Winget

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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by Zwoodman » Mon Jun 17, 2013 9:07 am

Winget,
W. Winget wrote:I gotta ask, what's the piece on top of the rear of the top jacket? I've often seen little protrusions on other guns where this part is, but never that particular part referenced anywhere.

It is the handle for the locking cam... unlike the square nut like protrusion (as you call it) where you would your trail hand spike to unlock it on the final design! I have started taking pictures of the disassembly and will be posting them as I get them on the computer!

Thanks,

Zane
Zane Mohler

41 Dodge WC4 8670369 DoD 5 - 16 - 41
43 Rock Island Arsenal M3A4 Handcart 7390
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 17374
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 21424
44 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 29324
44 M53 Airborne Scooter 35289
44 Willys MB 350841 DoD 7 -12 - 44
44 Willy's MB-T 58396 DoD 1 - - 44

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Cobrahistorian
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by Cobrahistorian » Tue Jun 18, 2013 6:26 am

The restoration is really coming along nicely. Zane and his crew are doing an incredible job on this piece. I've been fortunate to be able to help out a bit when I can get down to the shop. This one's gonna be amazing when it's done.

Jon

Director
US Army Air Defense Artillery Museum
Ft. Sill, OK
1942 GPW 65709 Hood #20152201-S, "Race Horse", Recon Platoon, 47th Tank Battalion, 14th Armored Division, November 1942-September 1944 - two years in and she's starting to go back together.


Director - US Army Air Defense Artillery Museum

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Zwoodman
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by Zwoodman » Wed Jun 19, 2013 4:43 am

As we started... we had it blasted initially to remove as much paint and rust on the exterior so we can get to the seam between the top sleigh cover and craddle. The investment into penetrating fluid is a must for a job like this!
Attachments
Blasted.jpg
Blasted.jpg (31.69 KiB) Viewed 1993 times
Cover Removed.jpg
Cover Removed.jpg (31.28 KiB) Viewed 1993 times
Zane Mohler

41 Dodge WC4 8670369 DoD 5 - 16 - 41
43 Rock Island Arsenal M3A4 Handcart 7390
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 17374
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 21424
44 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 29324
44 M53 Airborne Scooter 35289
44 Willys MB 350841 DoD 7 -12 - 44
44 Willy's MB-T 58396 DoD 1 - - 44

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Zwoodman
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by Zwoodman » Wed Jun 19, 2013 4:56 am

Pulling tube and Breech from craddle.
Attachments
Breech and tube.jpg
Breech and tube.jpg (30.53 KiB) Viewed 1992 times
Craddle.jpg
Craddle.jpg (34.25 KiB) Viewed 1992 times
Zane Mohler

41 Dodge WC4 8670369 DoD 5 - 16 - 41
43 Rock Island Arsenal M3A4 Handcart 7390
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 17374
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 21424
44 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 29324
44 M53 Airborne Scooter 35289
44 Willys MB 350841 DoD 7 -12 - 44
44 Willy's MB-T 58396 DoD 1 - - 44

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Zwoodman
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer Exp NO. 1

Post by Zwoodman » Wed Jun 19, 2013 4:59 am

Top and underside view of the tube and breech!
Attachments
Tube and Breech.jpg
Tube and Breech.jpg (33.62 KiB) Viewed 1992 times
Rusted Tube.jpg
Rusted Tube.jpg (35.52 KiB) Viewed 1992 times
Zane Mohler

41 Dodge WC4 8670369 DoD 5 - 16 - 41
43 Rock Island Arsenal M3A4 Handcart 7390
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 17374
43 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 21424
44 John Wood M3A4 Handcart 29324
44 M53 Airborne Scooter 35289
44 Willys MB 350841 DoD 7 -12 - 44
44 Willy's MB-T 58396 DoD 1 - - 44


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